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2011 Chrysler 200 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2011 Chrysler 200 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pretensioner and column. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Heater core failure causing no heat or defrost.” 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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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

STEERING:COLUMN

Campaign #11V315000 · Aug 6, 2011

Issue: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Risk: A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #13V282000 · Feb 7, 2013

Issue: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Chrysler 200.

Reported to NHTSA

Heater core failure causing no heat or defrost

VISIBILITY/WIPER

20 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2024-02

“HEATER CORE PLUGS FROM THE DEXCOOL BRAKING DOWN, THEN FINALLY STARTS TO LEAK CAUSING LACK OF HEAT, EVENTUALLY FOGGING THE WINDOWS SO YOU CAN'T SEE CAUSING MULTIPLE SAFETY HAZARDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11376119
“HEAT ON PASSENGER SIDE GOES OUT DUE TO MANUFACTURER COOLANT. CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD NOT TO DEFROST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN COLD MONTHS WHICH MAKES VISIBILITY DURING DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11046900
“I HAVE A CHRYSLER 200 2011 WITH 67,000 MILES. THIS WINTER THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAT NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL, LEAVING ME WITHOUT DEFROST AS WELL. THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME WHETHER IN IDLE OR DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10940076

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission hesitation and shudder at highway speed

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2024-06

“While driving at high speeds 60 to 75 miles per hour and going up an upgrade, the transmission starts to buck violently which causes the driver lose concentration and possible control. I have to shift the transmission into manual mode and select a lower gear to gain control”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11596363
“WHEN MY CAR GOES BETWEEN 60 AND 70 MPH THE CAR SHAKES AND THE RPMS JUMP TO ABOUT 4 TO KEEP THE CAR AT THE SPEED I NEED IT ON HIGH WAYS. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS CAR AND YEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209396
“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS SHIFTED HARD AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING A HARD TIME SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR, IT REVS UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS IN ORDER FOR IT TO SHIFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11064398

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering column clunking noise or hard-to-turn steering

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2020-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 200. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND VEERING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A KNOCKING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10892827
“AFTER VEHICLE REACHES HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR 30 OR SO MILES THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING AREA IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED TIE RODS AND DID A ALIGNMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10760161
“MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING MANUALLY. I TOOK MY CHRYSLER 200 TO PEP BOYS AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE STEERING WAS FINE FOR A DAY THEN IT WENT BACK TO BEING HARD TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10724532

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling or shutting off while driving

ENGINE

65 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2025-09

“I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AT SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 15MPL TO 70MPH ON COUNTRY ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND FREEWAYS WHEN THE ENGINE SIMPLY SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 14 TIMES DURING THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS BETWEEN MAY 23, 2018, AND JANUARY 10, 2019”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11176336
“DRIVING 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. SLOWED TO 45-50MPH FOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION. TRIED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN BUT GAS PEDAL DIDN'T RESPOND. DIDN'T REALIZE ENGINE HAD STALLED. DRIFTED OVER TO SLOW LANE TO TRY TO STOP. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WENT OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10895918
“THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS 3 TIMES IT HAS STALLED AT 50 +MPH AND THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. ANOTHER STALL OCCURRED ON A CURVY STATE ROAD ON A BEND WITH NO SHOULDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11296638

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata air bag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS

29 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2018-04

“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 200. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061584
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 200. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V668000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010343
“S61 RECALL FOR SOME KIND OF SAFETY MODULE FOR MY CAR. CHRYSLER WON'T FIX IT AND IT HAS BEEN WELL OVER 6 MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968766

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear-end sway under passenger or cargo load

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2018-12

“THE CAR ACCELERATES AND IF I HIT A BUMP OR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD MY CAR WILL START TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH AND HAS ACTUALLY SPUN ME AROUND IN A 360 MOTION ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. SOMETIMES YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO GO OVER A BUMP OR ANYTHING IT JUST SHAKES AND SWAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163405
“WHEN THERE IS OVER 50 LBS IN THE BACK SEAT OR TRUNK ON WET OR SNOWY ROADS, THE REAR END OF THE CAR WILL SWAY BACK AND FORTH CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. YOU WILL ALSO SEE UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INNER MOST SIDE OF THE TREAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063537
“I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2011 CHRYSLER 200 AND WITHIN A WEEKS TIME NOTICED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF ITS A SMALL OR LARGE BUMP EITHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10714238

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

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)

67 crashes 1990–2024

How the 67 occupant deaths break down

49

driver deaths

18

passenger deaths

67

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 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.

14

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2011 Chrysler 200 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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