2008 Chrysler 300 electrical problems

Ignition key becomes difficult to turn, gets stuck, won't release from ignition, or key remains in ON position even after turning to OFF. Vehicle may not start or continues to run with key removed.

When: Throughout vehicle's life; owners report incidents from 2012 onward in narratives, typically after 40,000–140,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Key difficult or impossible to turn in ignition; Key stuck in ignition; takes up to 20 minutes to release or requires battery disconnection; Vehicle continues to run with key in OFF position and removed from ignition; Headlights and interior lights remain on after key removed; Multiple attempts required to shut down the engine

Codes mentioned: P2533 (Ignition Switch Run Position Signal problem)

Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch replacement typically $800–$1,000; recall 14V567000 covers replacement but parts unavailable for extended periods; some owners waited months (July to August 20, three weeks to July 23, no ETA) for parts; dealers initially had no parts in stock

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V567000 issued October 2014 for ignition switch failure; parts shortages delayed repairs indefinitely; no rental car reimbursement offered by Chrysler when warranty expired; recall was supposed to cover diagnostics but parts unavailability prevented repairs

TIPM module fails, causing loss of engine power while driving, failure to start, and intermittent electrical system malfunctions. Module reportedly on national back order.

When: Reported from 2012 onward; failures occur without mileage predictability

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls completely while driving, sometimes without warning; Vehicle fails to start or has delayed crank (3-second delay reported); Wiper motor and wiper relay failures (wipers stop working intermittently); Fuses and relays require repeated replacement; Loss of engine power at freeway speeds (45–70 mph); Engine hesitation and stalling under acceleration

Codes mentioned: TIPM internal failure causing intermittent no-start and delayed start

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement quoted at $1,200–$1,691; part on national back order with no estimated availability; one owner spent over $500 on wiper motor and fuse/relay replacements before TIPM diagnosis; dealers unable to provide timeline for repairs; temporary fixes (fuse/relay replacement, wiper motor replacement) failed to resolve underlying TIPM issue

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official recall for TIPM failure despite numerous complaints and forums documenting the issue; owners report Chrysler knowledge of the problem but refusal to issue recall; owners cite ongoing class-action lawsuit against Chrysler for this defect; recall P57 (WIN module and keyless fob ignition) did not address TIPM failures

WIN module fails, preventing vehicle from starting or causing intermittent start failures. Key fobs malfunction or require reprogramming. Module on back order nationally.

When: Reported failures 2013 onward; owners report parts unavailable for 2–8+ weeks

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle won't start or has intermittent start issues; Key fob beeping continuously; fob fails to unlock doors; Vehicle starts only after multiple attempts or waiting extended periods; Key fob requires battery replacement but malfunction persists

Repairs/costs cited: WIN module replacement $760; new key fob required and programmed after module replacement at $289 each (most owners have two keys, so $578 total for key fobs); parts on back order for 2–8 weeks; dealer quotes included 3-week estimates that extended to 7–8+ weeks in reality; owners unable to drive vehicle during wait periods and incurred rental car costs ($25/day discounts offered, later covered by Chrysler in some cases)

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P57 issued for WIN module and FOBIK (frequency-operated button ignition key); parts availability was severely delayed; owners denied rental car assistance when warranty expired; no compensation for inconvenience or rental costs in many cases; some owners had to hire lawyers due to lack of manufacturer support

Engine continues running even after key is turned to OFF position and removed from ignition. Vehicle requires multiple shutdown attempts, shifting into gear, or moving the vehicle to stop engine.

When: Reported March 2015 and July 2020; associated with ignition switch or electrical module failures

Symptoms owners cite: Engine continues to run with key removed from ignition; Headlights and interior lights remain on despite OFF position; Vehicle requires multiple shutdown attempts; Vehicle must be shifted into gear and moved to shut down successfully; Vehicle loses power while driving and won't restart (stranding driver)

Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair cost cited; associated with ignition switch recall 14V567000; parts unavailability prevented timely repairs

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler advised diagnostic testing; identified as likely ignition switch recall issue (14V567000) but no parts available; owners told to contact dealership for diagnostic (3-hour wait quoted) with no guarantee of parts availability or repair timeline

Various electrical subsystems malfunction intermittently: turn signals, windshield wipers, low-beam headlights, instrument panel gauges, radio, A/C, and power windows fail or flicker. Some failures occur while driving, creating safety hazards.

When: Reported 2013–2020; windshield wiper failure on highway in 2014 caused near-collision due to zero visibility in heavy rain

Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers stop working suddenly while driving in rain (dangerous on freeway); Turn signals flicker or stop working; Low-beam headlights flicker; Instrument panel gauges and warning lights flicker or illuminate unexpectedly (Service Engine, Traction Control, ESP, ABS, TPMS); Radio malfunctions or displays error messages; A/C and power windows stop working; Interior and exterior lights flicker or fail to illuminate; Brake pedal response becomes sluggish; requires constant pressure to depress fully

Repairs/costs cited: Wiper motor replacement $200–$300 did not resolve wiper failure; fuse and relay replacement ineffective; TIPM replacement ($1,200 estimate) determined to be underlying cause in at least one case; antenna connection repair required post-recall; tire pressure monitor sensors required replacement after recall at $514.68 (Chrysler offered 50% reimbursement); one owner spent $500+ on electrical repairs with no resolution

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers blamed multiple components (wiper motor, fuses, relays) before identifying TIPM as root cause; parts on back order prevented timely repair; recall 14V567000 (ignition switch/electrical system) parts unavailable; one owner reported dealer work post-recall damaged systems (wipers, remote start, trunk release, auto-dim headlights, TPMS); tire pressure monitor sensors not covered under recall despite being damaged by recall repair

Engine shuts off completely without warning while driving at various speeds, causing loss of steering assist and potential crashes. Vehicle may or may not restart after stalling.

When: Incidents reported 2012–2020; multiple stalls ranging from once per year to 8–9 times over several years

Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds (35–70 mph); Loss of steering assist when engine shuts off; Engine stalls at stop lights and low speeds; Stall may be preceded by engine hesitation; Some stalls occur over road bumps; Vehicle restarts after stall but failure recurs; Vehicle unable to restart after stall (stranding driver)

Codes mentioned: TIPM internal failure

Repairs/costs cited: TIPM module replacement required; quoted at $597–$1,691 for parts and labor; one owner paid $597 for dealer TIPM repair; parts unavailable for extended periods; no manufacturer recall for TIPM issue despite widespread complaints

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for stalling issue attributed to TIPM; owners report Chrysler and dealers acknowledge online forums and widespread complaints about stalling but refuse to initiate recall; recall 14V567000 (ignition switch) did not address stalling problem; owners cite ongoing class-action lawsuits against Chrysler for this defect

Vehicle engine hesitates or takes 3–5+ seconds to crank and start after turning ignition key. Failure occurs intermittently and worsens over time.

When: Reported 2014–2015 at 87,000 miles and other mileages; within a few months before complaint filing

Symptoms owners cite: 3-second delay between turning key and engine starting; 5–10 second delay before vehicle responds to key turn; Delayed cranking worsens progressively; Intermittent delayed start

Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement ($firestone replaced battery) did not resolve delay; ignition switch replacement required via recall P57; parts unavailable; no cost cited for repair

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P57 issued for ignition switch delay crank concern; parts unavailable at time of complaint; owners placed on waiting list with notification of second wave of owners to be notified June 2015; owners expressed concern that ignition may 'spring back' from RUN to OFF at highway speeds (65–70 mph), causing stall and loss of steering

Driver-side seat warmer turns on by itself and overheats, causing the seat to catch fire and burn. This is an uncontrolled electrical issue with potential for total vehicle loss and injury.

When: August 31, 2011; seat was parked overnight and caught fire unattended

Symptoms owners cite: Seat warmer activates without user input; Seat warmer overheats seat material; Seat catches fire and burns to ashes; Smoke visible through windows from burning seat

Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler handled repair and compensation; owner reports similar incidents in other Chrysler vehicles with seat warmers

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler took care of the problem and compensated owner; owner aware of other cases with same issue but no formal recall identified in narratives

Ignition switch housing fails and is vulnerable to movement; bumps in road or reverse motion can cause ignition to shift from RUN to OFF position inadvertently.

When: Reported when vehicle went over uneven pavement while reversing; owner replaced key but issue persisted

Symptoms owners cite: Ignition moves to OFF position without user action when vehicle goes over bump or uneven pavement; Vehicle shuts off when ignition inadvertently shifts to OFF position

Repairs/costs cited: Ignition housing unit requires replacement; key replacement attempted but did not resolve issue; recall 14V567000 parts unavailable at time of complaint

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V567000 issued but parts unavailable for extended period; no ETA provided for repair

Burning smell enters vehicle through vents or from under hood; alternator catches fire or electrical components overheat. One incident resulted in vehicle fire at 45 mph stall.

When: December 23, 2014 (minor burning from TIPM board); August 31, 2011 (seat warmer fire); 120,334 miles (alternator fire); 160,000 miles (burning odor, vehicle won't start)

Symptoms owners cite: Electrical burning smell through vents at standstill; Smell disappears when vehicle powered off; Smoke and flames from alternator area under hood; Fire department required to extinguish flames; Burning odor when attempting to start vehicle

Repairs/costs cited: Alternator fire extinguished by off-duty fireman at scene; vehicle not towed; awaiting insurance tow arrangement; major electrical circuit board (TIPM) ordered but on back order with no ETA

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler opened case number 35164546 for alternator fire; major electrical circuit board part on back order; no manufacturer communication regarding cause or preventive measures

After recall 14V567000 (ignition switch) repair is completed, other electrical systems stop working or malfunction, including rain-sensing wipers, remote start, remote trunk release, auto-dim headlights, tire pressure monitor, and cruise control.

When: Reported after recall repair completion in 2018 and other dates

Symptoms owners cite: Rain-sensing wipers stop working after recall; Remote start feature stops working; Remote trunk release stops working; Auto-dim headlights stop working; Tire pressure monitor fails (new sensors required); A/C and windshield wipers stopped working after 5-week recall repair; Trunk won't open with key

Repairs/costs cited: Antenna connection failed; required repair at no cost to owner; tire pressure monitor sensors required new sensors at $514.68 (Chrysler offered 50% reimbursement); one case resulted in car not starting after recall repair, with ignition making clicking noise and shift lock issue; recall stickers not applied to show work completed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed failures to antenna connection issue and repaired at no cost; tire pressure monitor repair not covered under recall; new key fob programming required after WIN module replacement; one owner had to pay for diagnostic if failure unrelated to recall work; recall documentation not properly completed (stickers not applied, online records showed recall still incomplete)

Vehicle stalls or loses power while driving, causing loss of steering assist, brakes, or engine power. Driver loses control and crashes into guardrail or other vehicle, resulting in injury, hospitalization, vehicle fire, or near-death experience.

When: Incidents reported: 45 mph stall causing guardrail crash with fire (July 30, 2020, driver age 18); 25 mph stall causing curb crash; 25 mph brake failure and stall causing crash into another vehicle

Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power at highway speed (45 mph); Inability to steer vehicle after power loss; Brake failure without warning; Vehicle stalls preventing evasive maneuver; Air bags fail to deploy during crash

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed destroyed in fire incident; crash resulted in injuries requiring hospitalization and rehabilitation

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified until approximately one year after crash; recall 14V567000 issued around same time as crash; parts never provided prior to vehicle destruction