2009 Chrysler 300 Signature Series RWD

Pros

Nice styling

Cons

It's a garage queen - never had a worse car

Purchased As New

I bought the 300 because of the styling and interior space. What a colossal error! This is by far the WORST car I have ever owned (and I've had some real lemons in my life - a Ford Maverick, Mustang II, Dodge Omni, Mercury Monterey - some of the worst of the 70s and 80s). The 300 is the worst of them all - mechanically and electrically.

Sometimes the car will not start at all - the dealer first claimed it was a problem with the keyed ignition unit and replaced that. Same problem. So the dealer replaced the steering column wiring. Same problem. Then the dealer replaced the engine computer. Same problem. I am now just dealing with the fact that randomly - maybe every 10 or 12 trips, the car won't start. I have to disconnect the battery, wait 5 minutes, reconnect it, and try again. The dealer is stumped and has no other ideas to try.

Meanwhile, the steering started pulling to the right - after three dealer "fixes" - each time it is fixed for about 500 miles then gradually starts pulling to the right again - I'm sure the dealer will get it right "next time".

The transmission began shifting roughly and erratically around 12,000 miles - now, at 35,000 is it making strange grinding noises shifting between 2nd and 3rd and shifts at inappropriate rpm shift points.

So far, we have replaced a voltage regulator, had a disconnected/broken antenna lead to the audio system making it all but impossible to get reception more than 20 miles from an AM station or 10 miles for FM, replaced a fuel level sender unit, had the serpentine belt adjusted and a pulley replaced after it was whining, and had the driver's side power seat mechanism fail with the dealer having to replace the entire unit.

And I've not even broken 40,000 miles yet on this car.

Next time, I am not going to care what a car LOOKS like, I am going to buy something that WORKS RELIABLY. And it will not be a Chrysler product.

On the good side, I have made the acquaintance of just about every person at the dealer's service department - from mechanics to service reps and service manager.

On the bad side, my dealer was informed that they are losing their franchise due to Chrysler cancelling their franchise agreement in bankruptcy court. Now I will have to drive (or be towed) an extra 27 miles to the nearest dealer to get the 300 serviced. If I can just get it so that everything works fine for just a little while, I am going to sell this garage queen and buy a Honda or Toyota or a Ford Fusion.

Now I know why Chrysler went bankrupt. My friend had a bad experience with his son's Dodge Caliber and warned me, but stupidly I fell for the styling and the interior seating. My bad - I was warned....read morehide