Chrysler 300S
FCA's workhorse V6, 305 hp, DOHC 24-valve — same Pentastar in half the Stellantis lineup. No MDS, no lifter lottery. Rocker arm tick around 60k miles. Plastic oil filter housing cracks — Dorman 926-959 metal replacement is the permanent fix. A small sleeper community runs ProCharger ($6,349) or RIPP ($6,799) kits pushing 400-450 whp on stock internals, bolt-on. Whether $12k all-in on a boosted V6 beats buying a used R/T is the question nobody agrees on.
American business class
Imposing presence, decent performance — without the Hemi drama. No surprises, no excitement. By US standards a sensible car.
Engine Weaknesses 3
Rocker arm develops audible tick from worn contact surfaces, typically after 60,000 miles. Parts cheap ($50-80 per arm), labor drives cost due to intake manifold removal.
Symptoms: Ticking from upper engine, louder when cold, doesn't disappear after warmup
Plastic oil filter housing becomes brittle, develops cracks. Oil and coolant passages run through the housing — cross-contamination possible. Dorman 926-959 metal replacement is the permanent fix.
Symptoms: Oil drip under engine, low oil warning, milky residue on oil cap in severe cases
Timing chain tensioner loses tension from chain stretch, primarily 2011-2013 units. Cold start rattle, can jump timing in extreme cases.
Symptoms: Rattle on cold start from front of engine, check engine light for cam/crank correlation
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
Totally Integrated Power Module controls all electrical functions. Relay failures cause: fuel pump runs continuously, horn sounds randomly, vehicle won't start. Repair service $200-350, new module up to $1,000.
Heater core leaks coolant into the cabin. Sweet smell, greasy film on inside of windshield. Very labor-intensive replacement — full dashboard removal required, 8-12 labor hours.
NHTSA recall for 133 model year 2023 Chrysler 300 vehicles with improperly adjusted parking brake from factory. Vehicle may roll away. Dealer adjusts parking brake free of charge.
Window regulator cable snaps, window drops into door or won't move. 91 reported cases on RepairPal. Affects all years and all doors.
Small plastic gears inside the blend door actuator strip out. Persistent clicking or ticking after startup or temperature change. Dashboard removal required for proper repair.
