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2008 Chrysler 300 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Chrysler 300 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Radiator cooling fan disintegration puncturing radiator.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Chrysler 300.

Reported to NHTSA

Radiator cooling fan disintegration puncturing radiator

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2021-06

“While stopped at a stop light, one of the radiator cooling fans (plastic) disintegrated, severely damaging the radiator beyond repair. Engine coolant was quickly lost”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11421475
“OPENED UP HOOD AND FOUND OUT RADIATOR FAN BLADE BROKE OFF AND PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR RESULTING IN HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND FAN ASSEMBLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11128668
“THE CONTACT OPENEND THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN FAILED AND CAUSED THE PARTS TO PIERCE THE RADIATOR WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010195

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel odor inside cabin

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2025-01

“There is a fuel smell in the car, for the first 1/4 tank of gas. The smell is really bad in the back seat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11637997
“PURCHASED 2008 CHRYSLER 300C ABOUT A MONTH AGO. INTERIOR HAS ODOR OF GASOLINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11271063
“A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE OCURS EVERY TIME THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO 3/4 TH. OR MORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884061

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Inability to shift out of park when cold

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2018-05

“UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR IS COLD AND FIRST STARTED. SECOND ATTEMPT LETS IT GET OUT OF PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11054554
“WHEN COLD CANNOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. HAVE TO RESTART TO GET IT TO SHIFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11050935
“THE FLOOR SHIFTER IS HANGING IN PARK AFTER I HAVE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WHEN I GET BACK IN THE CAR AND START IT UP, I CAN NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11099002

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch and TIPM stall or no-start

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

35 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2025-01

“WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810969
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862734
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION TO OPERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10825421

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

70 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2024-01

“The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11566323
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985768
“TAKATA RECALL DEALER HAS MONTHS LONG WAITING LIST FOR REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861254

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment or rupture in a crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2020-07

“AIR BAGS CAME OUT WITH METAL FRAGMENTS SHOOTING OUT AND I AND MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WAS INJURED THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IT WAS BLACK ICE AND I SLIDE THOSE AIRBAGS COULD HAVE PUT MY EYES OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11331993
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SUDDENLY A VEHICLE CAME OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT T-BONE THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11321792
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10808420

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

93 crashes 1990–2024

How the 93 occupant deaths break down

67

driver deaths

26

passenger deaths

93

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

27

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Chrysler 300 reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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