Are you interested in owning a Chrysler 300? If you are in the market for one, you’ll like to know that they are highly regarded as reliable cars. Despite that reputation, they can still develop problems from time to time, especially regarding major parts, like the transmission.
What are the most common Chrysler 300 transmission problems you should know about?
There are quite a few to consider, such as:
- Rough gear engagement
- Won’t shift into gear
- Doesn’t stay in park
- Gets stuck in park
Fortunately, we are here to share all the info you need to know about Chrysler 300 transmission problems. You can then head into the car -buying process with the knowledge you need to choose the best option.
Rough Shift Engagement
The automatic transmission in the Chrysler 300 is known for having trouble shifting through the gears from time to time. Instead of smoothly going into the next gear, it will hesitate and shake, causing the RPMs to skyrocket. Then, it will suddenly engage the gear with a clunk.
Many different failed components can cause these symptoms, resulting in the need for a lot of diagnostic time. Upon tracking down the problem, techs often have to replace the cable gear or solenoid. In rare cases, they may need to replace the entire transmission to remedy the issue.
Won’t Shift into Gear
After about 30,000 miles, the automatic transmission in the 2012 Chrysler 300 may refuse to shift at all. Instead of moving from first to second, or between any other gears, the transmission seems to pause in neutral. At first, the next set of gears harshly engages moments later, but as time goes on, it fails to go into the next gear altogether.
Techs can usually resolve the issue with a software update, but it is not guaranteed to work. If that doesn’t fix it, then the transmission may need replacement. The new transmission does run the risk of going out as well after putting miles on it.
Doesn’t Stay in Park
Despite putting the gear selector in the park position, there’s a chance that the 300’s automatic transmission won’t stay in that gear. When that happens, the car could start rolling away if you don’t put on the emergency brake when you get out of the car. Many collisions and injuries have occurred as a result, resulting in Chrysler owners filing a class action lawsuit.
Techs have tracked the problem back to a faulty totally integrated power module (TIPM) in some cases. When the TIPM is not the cause, the gear shift assembly could be to blame.
Chrysler changed the design of the shift assembly soon after this started happening in 2014 but didn’t issue a recall for the previous models that used the faulty part.
Gets Stuck in Park
The shifter used on the 2006 Chrysler 300 is also known to cause problems on occasion. Instead of moving out of park, these shifters can get stuck in that gear. Using a ballpoint pen to move the shifter mechanism to drive or neutral can temporarily address the issue. A permanent fix involves the full replacement of the shift assembly to get rid of the defective plastic clip.
