RIGHT LEAD/REVISED ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. 2005-2006 CHRYSLER 300/CHARGER/MAGNUM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Chrysler 300 suspension problems
moderate 41 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 41 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Chrysler 300, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Chrysler 300 we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 41.
Owners have filed 41 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Chrysler 300 shows a pattern of suspension problems that owners describe as both chronic and serious. The most prevalent complaint is a persistent right-hand pull at all speeds—reported in roughly half these narratives—that survives multiple dealer alignments, camber bolt packages, and offset bolt installations. Owners cite Technical Service Bulletin 10013692 addressing the problem, yet many dealers claim alignment meets specs or blame road crown. This pull causes premature tire wear (showing indicators at 16,000–30,000 miles) and makes the car unsafe in wet or snowy conditions.
Control arm failures stand out as safety hazards. One owner's left front control arm snapped in two during low-speed dealer movement; the right arm was severely bent. Tie rod ends fail twice within 60,000 miles. Tension strut arms detach at ball joints, triggering loud banging and steering loss risk; one dealership had over 4,000 units on backorder. A rear axle completely separated from the chassis during routine acceleration, dropping the vehicle onto its rear with tires forced inward.
Other complaints include lower control arm bushing degradation creating wheel play and squeaking (recurring after replacement), rear differential bearing noise during acceleration, and pervasive banging from the front end on rough roads that mechanics cannot diagnose when the vehicle sits on a lift. One vehicle showed severe rusting of the cradle and suspension, failing safety inspection.
Same Chrysler 300 suspension reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Front control arm fracture
Front control arms break or crack under normal driving conditions. One owner reported left front control arm snapped in two during low-speed dealer movement; right front control arm was severely bent and near failure. Replacement arms were noted to be twice the thickness and weight of originals.
When: Variable; one case occurred during low-speed movement at dealership
Symptoms owners cite: Loud snapping or cracking sound from front end; Vehicle may lose steering control if arm fully separates
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement control arms (part number 4782561AE cited in one complaint); aftermarket Moog high-performance parts noted as alternative in another case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler reportedly changed control arm design to thicker/heavier spec without issuing recall; owner claims denial of responsibility
Tension strut arm ball joint detachment
Tension strut arms detach or separate at the ball joint connection. Multiple owners reported banging noises and front-end instability. One mechanic warned that complete disconnection would render front tires inoperable.
When: Reported around 35,000–70,000 miles; one case at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging or clanking from front suspension when driving or turning; Front wheels shake or shudder, especially during braking; Loss of steering control potential if ball joint fully separates
Repairs/costs cited: Tension strut bushing arms require replacement; one dealership had over 4,000 units on national backorder
Rear control arm weld failure
Lower rear control arm bracket weld failure on passenger side. One owner reported bracket welded only on one side to rear axle; manufacturer confirmed other side should have two-sided welds.
When: Specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Potential loss of rear suspension attachment under speed
Repairs/costs cited: Weld repair or bracket replacement required
Rear axle failure and separation
Rear axle assembly breaks and separates from chassis during normal acceleration. One owner reported entire back axle broke off at red light, causing vehicle to drop completely on rear end with tires forced inward into fenders.
When: At 25,000 miles on the vehicle (purchased used with 25k miles already on it); occurred approximately 8 months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang noise in reverse and when accelerating; Lag before transmission engages; Sudden drop of vehicle rear; tires forced inside fenders; Complete separation of axle from chassis
Repairs/costs cited: Axle assembly replacement required
Chronic right-hand pull and alignment issues
Vehicles pull to the right consistently across all speeds (5–75 mph) despite multiple dealer alignments and repairs. Multiple owners report problem present from purchase or within first few months. Dealers have installed camber bolt packages and offset bolts; some blame road crown, others claim nothing more can be done. Technical Service Bulletin 10013692 addresses right-lead alignment revision. Problem causes excessive tire wear and makes vehicle unsafe in wet/snow conditions.
When: Begins at or shortly after purchase; persists across vehicle lifespan (reported at 3,000 miles, throughout ownership up to 157,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Constant pull to the right at all speeds; Requires constant steering wheel pressure to keep vehicle straight; Excessive and premature tire wear (wear indicators at 16,000–30,000 miles); Difficult vehicle control in rain and snow; Steering wheel remains off-center even after alignment
Codes mentioned: TSB 10013692 (alignment specification revision for right lead)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alignments (3–5+ per owner); camber bolt packages; offset bolts installed per Chrysler bulletin; some shops added shims; professional alignment shops unable to resolve; tire replacement at 16,000–30,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued Technical Service Bulletin 10013692; dealers performed free recalls and adjustments early in ownership; by later complaints, dealers claimed alignment met factory specs, blamed road crown, or stated nothing more could be done
Lower control arm bushing degradation and failure
Lower control arm bushings wear out prematurely, creating excessive play in wheels and loud banging/squeaking noises. Replacement bushings failed again within months.
When: Reported around 70,000 miles; recurring issue after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging from front right wheel; Squeaking sound, especially when turning; Wheels have excessive play; Noise returns after replacement within 3 months
Repairs/costs cited: Bushing replacement; one owner replaced lower control arm bushing in June; failure recurred and worsened
Front suspension shake during braking
Front wheels shake or vibrate abnormally when brakes are applied. Problem occurs intermittently and dealers cannot reproduce it during inspection.
When: Failure mileage around 35,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheel shake or abnormal vibration when braking; Intermittent occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Tensioned strut bushing arm replacement corrected issue
Tie rod end premature wear and failure
Tie rod ends wear out and require replacement twice within 60,000 miles. First replacement covered under warranty, second was not.
When: First failure at 35,000 miles; second failure before 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tie rod wear requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Two tie rod end replacements required within 25,000 miles
Rear differential noise and bearing failure
Loud clanking or banging noise from rear of vehicle, especially during acceleration between 30–50 mph. Problem reported starting April 2005; rear differential bearings replaced but noise persisted.
When: First reported April 2005; continued through October 2005
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from rear when accelerating at 30–50 mph; Intermittent clanking from rear at 35 mph; Noise progresses over time
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential bearings replaced (did not resolve); one owner performed rear alignment and replaced all four tires without success
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership reportedly ignored complaint from April until October 2005
Suspension rusting and frame cradle corrosion
Severe rusting and rotting of cradle and suspension components, rendering vehicle unsafe for inspection.
When: Specific timing not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust and corrosion on cradle and suspension; Safety inspection failure
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic refused to allow vehicle to pass inspection due to severity
General front-end noise and banging
Chronic loud banging and noise from front suspension on rough roads; mechanics and shops unable to locate cause when vehicle is lifted. Problem persists despite multiple repair attempts including bushing and tie rod replacement.
When: Ongoing for several years
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging and clanking from underneath when driving on rough roads; Sounds like components are falling off; No obvious looseness detected when on lift; Embarrassing noise level
Repairs/costs cited: Bushings replaced; tie rods replaced; no defect found on lift; issue unresolved
Synthesized from 41 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Purchased used 300 touring Chrysler on april 2005 with about 25000 miles already we notice ever since we purchased our vehicle it has made a loud bang noise everytime we go on reverse and it seems it lags before getting in gear and lately it was starting to make that bang noise going forward mostly when accelerating fast, we were thinking of taking it in but have been putting it off due to our…
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Chrysler 300?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Chrysler 300?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 41 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 16,900 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,900; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chrysler/300.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.