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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chrysler 300 body problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
2crashes
1fire
4injuries
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Chrysler 300 in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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.
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Door handles are the most common complaint: exterior door handles (chrome trim) separate or partially detach from both front and rear doors, often on the same vehicle and sometimes after repair. Owners cite a small plastic component cracking and breaking as the failure point. One owner reported paying $200 for a replacement, only to have the same handle and others fail afterward.
Hood support struts fail at very low mileage (30k–32k miles), causing the hood to fall or slam shut without warning—a genuine safety hazard. Owners report the hood staying open only momentarily before crashing down. One dealer said hinge replacement might help but could not guarantee it; another offered a $50 credit toward strut replacement, which owners found unacceptable given the defect's severity.
A trunk also closed unexpectedly, striking an occupant on the head twice. One vehicle experienced water leaking into the interior through the roof, combined with door shaking at highway speed—neither repaired because the car was purchased as-is from a used-car lot. A rocker panel detached at 161k miles and required replacement, though the vehicle needed multiple repairs afterward.
Several owners mention online forums reporting the same door-handle issue across Chrysler and Dodge vehicles and note that Dodge has issued recalls for identical failures.
Same Chrysler 300 body reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Door handle detachment
Exterior door handles (chrome trim, both front and rear) separate or partially detach from the door. Owners report multiple failures on the same vehicle—rear passenger side completely detached, driver side and rear right partially detached. A small plastic piece appears to crack and break, causing separation.
When: 1–2 years after purchase; recurring failures after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Exterior door handle loose or visibly detached; Handle separates when opened or without warning; Multiple handles fail on same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Previous repair cost ~$200 per handle. Owners report replacement does not resolve underlying issue as other handles subsequently fail.
Hood strut failure
Hood support struts lose pressure and fail to hold the hood open, causing it to fall or slam shut without warning. Reported at low mileage (30k–32k miles). Poses safety hazard of impact to head, back, and hands.
When: 30,000–32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hood will not stay upright; falls or slams shut suddenly; Hood only stays open momentarily before crashing down; Strut(s) lose pressure
Repairs/costs cited: Strut replacement required. One owner reported Chrysler offered $50 credit toward repair; another dealer refused to guarantee repair would work.
Hood hinge failure
Hood hinge(s) fail, preventing hood from staying open and causing hood to close on owner's head. Dealer indicated hinge replacement might be needed but could not guarantee it would fix the problem.
When: 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hood will not stay open; Hood closes on owner's head; Owner used wooden stick to prop hood open
Repairs/costs cited: Hinge replacement recommended but not guaranteed to resolve failure. Owner declined repair.
Trunk failure to stay open
Trunk fails to remain open and inadvertently closes, striking occupants. Occurred twice—second time struck someone on the head. No injuries reported.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk closes without warning while open; Trunk strikes occupant when closing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; complaint noted as related to Takata recall.
Rocker panel detachment
Driver-side rocker panel detached from vehicle body. Repair required replacement; vehicle repaired multiple times, suggesting recurring or ongoing issue.
When: 161,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rocker panel visibly detached from body; No warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Rocker panel replacement performed at Tuttle-Click Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Tustin, CA. Vehicle repaired several times.
Water intrusion through roof
Water entered vehicle interior through roof during rain. Reported on vehicle purchased as-is from used-car lot; dealer declined service.
When: 71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks into vehicle interior from roof during rain; Occurs on several occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer declined service (vehicle purchased as-is).
Door shaking during driving
While driving at 45 mph, all doors shook as if they would open. Associated with water intrusion and overheating issues on same vehicle. No diagnostic or repair performed.
When: 71,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All doors shake during driving at 45 mph; Doors shake as if they would open
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2006 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 body problem on the 2006 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 34,000 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2006/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.