The 2013 Chrysler 300 rides on Chrysler's LX platform with Mercedes-Benz influences, offering solid bones but plagued by transmission heat issues and electrical gremlins. The 3.6L Pentastar is generally reliable; the Hemis burn through fuel and have head gasket concerns at higher miles.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure & Overheating
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission slipping or harsh shifts, limp mode activation, coolant mixing with ATF (pink/milky fluid), transmission temperature warning light
Fix: Replace external transmission oil cooler and flush entire cooling system plus transmission. Often discover internal transmission damage if coolant contamination went unnoticed. Budget 4-6 hours labor for cooler/flush, add 12-18 hours if transmission needs rebuild.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler only; $3,500-5,500 if transmission damaged
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Electrical Faults
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: fuel pump not priming (no start), wipers activating randomly, horn honking on its own, gauges going haywire, windows/locks operating erratically
Fix: The TIPM controls nearly everything electrical. Chrysler issued extended warranty to 10 years/150k on some VINs but many are out of coverage now. Replacement requires 2-3 hours labor plus programming. Aftermarket rebuilds available but quality varies.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 (new OEM module $600-900 alone)
5.7L Hemi Cylinder Head Gasket Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust (coolant burning), coolant loss with no visible leaks, rough idle and misfires, overheating under load, milky oil on dipstick
Fix: Multi-layer steel gaskets fail between cylinders or into coolant passages. Requires cylinder head removal, resurfacing, and new gaskets/bolts. Both heads typically done simultaneously. 14-18 hours labor. Often find cracked heads requiring replacement.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000 (gaskets); $5,000-7,500 if heads cracked
Alternator Failure (NHTSA Recall + Chronic Issue)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: battery light illuminated, dimming headlights, voltage gauge reading low, no-start after short trips, burning smell from engine bay
Fix: Multiple recalls issued but doesn't cover all units. OEM alternators have poor diode pack longevity. On 3.6L it's straightforward (1.5-2 hours), on Hemis requires removing intake or going from underneath (2.5-3.5 hours). Use quality aftermarket or OEM replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (V6); $600-900 (V8 due to access)
Water Pump Failure (3.6L Pentastar)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant leak from front of engine, squealing or grinding noise from timing cover area, engine overheating, coolant level dropping rapidly
Fix: Pentastar has internal water pump driven by timing chain. Failure requires timing cover removal, new chains/guides recommended while you're in there. 8-10 hours labor. Catastrophic if pump seizes and takes out timing components.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800 (pump only); $2,500-3,800 with timing service
Front Lower Control Arm Bushings & Ball Joints
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking over bumps, steering wander or loose feel, inner tire wear, vibration during braking, steering wheel off-center
Fix: Rear bushings on front LCAs wear prematurely causing alignment issues. Ball joints also fail. Most shops replace entire control arm assemblies rather than pressing bushings (2-3 hours per side). Alignment mandatory after.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000 both sides with alignment
Rear Differential Fluid Leak & Bearing Noise
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: whining or howling from rear on deceleration, fluid puddle under rear axle, clunking when engaging drive, vibration at highway speeds
Fix: Pinion seal leaks are common, but if caught late the bearings get damaged from low fluid. Seal replacement is 2-3 hours; full rebuild with bearings/gears is 8-12 hours. Hemi models with 3.92 gears more prone to wear.
Change transmission fluid every 50k miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims — heat is this transmission's enemy
Keep an eye on coolant level; small drops often indicate the oil cooler or head gaskets starting to weep
On Hemis, use quality full-synthetic oil and don't extend drain intervals past 5k miles
Check TIPM recall status by VIN at Chrysler dealer — extended warranty may still apply
Inspect front suspension components annually after 60k; these cars are heavy and eat bushings
Buy the V6 with service records showing transmission cooler proactively replaced and expect electrical quirks; avoid high-mileage Hemis unless you're handy with head gaskets or have a rebuild budget ready.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V018000
2019-01-15 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V021000
2018-01-09 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 16V240000
2016-04-25 · EA16002
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Consequence: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27.
Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 13V610000
2013-12-06
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Consequence: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
Vehicle Info — 2013 Chrysler 300
Performance
Horsepower
470hp
Torque
465lb-ft
Wiper blades
Second generation LD platform sedan, no rear wiper
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 Chrysler 300 6.4L V8 SRT and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.