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2011 Chrysler 300c Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Chrysler 300c has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel pump crack with fuel vapor odor in cabin.” 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.

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 for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Chrysler 300c.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel pump crack with fuel vapor odor in cabin

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2021-08

“After filling the car with gasoline, I get a strong odor of gasoline in the cabin of the car. After the fuel level gets to about 7/8 full the issue goes away”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430911
“AFTER FILLING TANK WITH FUEL, CAR SMELLS FROM FUEL. FUEL VAPOR COMES OUT AC VENTS, FILLS CABIN. VERY BAD AFTER SITTING PARKED. ODOR FADES AND STOPS WHEN FUEL LEVEL REACHES ABOUT 7/8 OF A TANK. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND MECHANIC SAYS HE FOUND FUEL ON TOP OF STARBOARD FUEL PUMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11045286
“FUEL PUMP CRACKED AT TOP OF FUEL PUMP. CAR HAS LOW MILAGE 11,300 AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WE FEEL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PUMP. THE PUMPS SIT UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033005

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Alternator failure causing stall and loss of power

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300C. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle required to be jumpstarted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11740913
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BATTERY AND FCW OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND WENT BLANK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11053426
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLICKER AND, UPON TURNING INTO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11030141

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

5.7 HEMI hydraulic lifter and timing chain failure

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2019-06

“HELLO, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 5.7 HEMI IN MY CHRYSLER 300. I AM FACING ISSUES WITH THE NOTORIOUS 'HEMI TICK' AND IT HAS GOTTEN OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD AND ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED AGAINST A BUILDING OR ON START UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11217629
“THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT WITH BAD LIFTERS. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING , BAD FUEL FUMES AND SHUTS THE GAS OFF . I HAVE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID GETTING HIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11221044
“COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE HWY SPEED, NO BRAKES....TIMING CHAIN BREAK MASSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11182525

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and Takata recall parts delay

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2023-03

“Airbag light stays on. Afraid to drive car that the air bag will not deploy in case of accident or go off unexpectedly”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11514084
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHRYSLER 300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10894758

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

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

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 300c 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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