2006 Chrysler 300 cruise control problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Of the 11 model years of Chrysler 300 we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 31.
Owners have filed 31 cruise control 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Chrysler 300 cruise-control complaints cluster reveals a vehicle with serious drivability and safety issues. Most complaints do not involve cruise control directly but rather the vehicle's throttle, fuel system, and acceleration control.
The most common failure is stalling after refueling. Owners consistently report that within three blocks of filling a full tank, the engine hesitates, chokes, jerks, and stalls multiple times. The problem does not occur if the tank is kept below three-quarters full. Some owners report vapor canister replacement and fuel tank module service, but symptoms persist. Chrysler extended a lifetime warranty on 2006 HEMI fuel tanks in 2014, citing a stuck fuel shut-off float in the multifunction control valve, but dealers reported massive parts shortages and waiting lists exceeding 2,000 vehicles.
Unintended acceleration is the second major issue. The accelerator pedal becomes stuck or the vehicle accelerates without driver input while parked, merging, or at low speeds. Brakes alone cannot stop the vehicle; owners must shift to park or kill the engine. Multiple collisions are reported.
Accelerator pedal assembly failures occur when the thin plastic mounting breaks or cracks, causing the pedal to snap and fall to the floor. The pedal then hangs by wires only.
Random engine stalling happens at idle, traffic lights, or during normal driving. Multiple mechanics and dealers cannot duplicate or fix the problem. Throttle body replacement and cleaning do not resolve it consistently.
Owners report feeling unsafe and unable to trust the vehicle, particularly on highways and in traffic.
Same Chrysler 300 cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling after refueling or at full tank
Engine stalls shortly after filling the gas tank or when the tank is completely full. Owners report the car will hesitate, choke, jump, jerk forward, and then stall within the first few blocks of driving after refueling. Multiple restart attempts are often required. Problem does not occur when tank is less than 3/4 full.
When: After refueling; at high fuel tank levels; 60K–115K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls after refueling; Hesitation and choking within first 3 blocks after fuel-up; Multiple restart attempts needed; Jerking and loss of power; No stalling if tank not completely full; Loss of power at low speeds (5 MPH)
Codes mentioned: Multiple misfires, Sensor voltage codes
Repairs/costs cited: Vapor canister replacement (did not fully resolve); Fuel tank module replacement cited ($2000); Chrysler extended lifetime warranty on fuel tanks (2006 5.7 and 6.1 HEMI models); Fuel shut-off float in multifunction control valve service procedure; Dealer parts shortages reported with waiting lists exceeding 2,000+ vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler announced lifetime warranty extension on 2006 5.7 and 6.1 HEMI fuel tanks (Feb 2014); Internal memo issued June 2013; Warranty letter sent May 2014 stating issue was fuel shut-off float sticking in multifunction control valve; however, dealers reported no fuel tanks in stock and long waiting lists.
Unintended acceleration
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or vehicle accelerates without driver input. Occurs while parking, merging, or at various speeds. Owners must shift to park, turn off ignition, or apply heavy braking to stop vehicle. Some incidents resulted in collisions.
When: 30K–105K miles; occurs at various speeds and situations (parking, highway merging, low-speed driving)
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck in down position; Sudden acceleration without driver input; RPM increase to 4000+ RPM; Vehicle surges forward while parked or at low speed; Brake pedal depression does not prevent acceleration; Unable to stop vehicle with brakes alone
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control warning light, Red lightning bolt icon (throttle body control warning), No codes set in some instances
Repairs/costs cited: Accelerator pedal assembly replaced; aftermarket reinforcement with radiator clamp and additional screws applied by owner; Electronic control module replacement performed by dealer; dealer unable to determine cause in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in multiple cases; no recalls issued; dealer diagnostics unable to reproduce failure in most instances.
Accelerator pedal mechanical failure
Accelerator pedal assembly breaks at the mounting point due to thin plastic construction. Pedal snaps, cracks, or falls to the floor while in use. Pedal is held by wires only after breakage.
When: Occurs during normal driving; no specific mileage pattern noted
Symptoms owners cite: Cracking sound when depressing accelerator; Pedal snaps off at mounting flange; Pedal falls to floor but hangs by wires; Loss of accelerator control; Pedal breaks on second occurrence (3 days apart in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: New accelerator pedal assembly installed; owner-applied reinforcement using radiator clamp and additional screws to prevent recurrence; thin plastic mounting flange identified as root cause.
Engine stalling at idle or during normal driving
Engine stalls without warning while driving at various speeds or while idling. Stalls occur at stop signs, traffic lights, while turning, or while backing. No check engine light in some cases. Problem recurs after repairs.
When: 33K–115K miles; random occurrences; increased frequency in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at idle or low speed; Stalling at stop signs and traffic lights; Stalling while turning or backing; No warning lights in some cases; Check engine light may or may not illuminate; Idle RPM drops low before stall; Radio and dash lights remain on during stall
Codes mentioned: Misfire codes (cylinder-specific), Throttle body voltage out of range, Sensor voltage codes
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement (did not resolve in some cases); throttle body cleaning; computer reset/reprogramming; mechanics unable to duplicate problem in shop; no solution found in technical bulletins reviewed; possible bad computer or clogged oil port in cylinder head suggested but not confirmed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate stalling; Chrysler technicians consulted with no resolution; no recall issued.
Transmission power loss and shifting issues
Vehicle loses power or fails to shift into higher gears during acceleration or passing attempts. Car may stick in lower gear and not exceed 58 MPH even at full throttle.
When: 115K miles reported; timing varies
Symptoms owners cite: Car won't shift into higher gears; Stuck in lower gear; Unable to exceed 58 MPH at full throttle; Car wants to stall during acceleration; Loss of power during passing
Codes mentioned: Transmission input speed sensor voltage issue
Repairs/costs cited: Valve body input speed sensor replacement ($1,041.99); transmission valve replaced on another vehicle with same symptom but recurrence reported.
Limp mode and loss of power
Electronic throttle control activates limp mode, resulting in drastic reduction in power and vehicle speed. May occur multiple times. Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates.
When: No specific mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic throttle control warning light (red lightning bolt icon); Limp mode activation; Drastic reduction in power and speed; Multiple occurrences; Engine stalling may accompany
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control light
Repairs/costs cited: Owner unable to safely drive to dealer for diagnosis and repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; dealer unable to perform diagnostic testing.
Cruise control indicator light visibility issue
Cruise control indicator light was relocated from instrument panel to control stalk and is not visible to driver without leaning forward over steering wheel. Creates safety concern as driver cannot monitor cruise status.
When: From new (October 1997 model, reported in complaint)
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control indicator light not visible on instrument panel; Small light on control stalk not visible without leaning forward; Driver cannot see light without looking over steering wheel hub
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced instrument panel light with small light on control stalk; no parts replacement offered to restore original location.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler designed replacement light on control stalk instead of instrument panel; owner questions whether change received proper NHTSA approval.
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2006 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 37,000 and 108,667 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 108,667. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.