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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Chrysler 300 engine problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Chrysler 300 have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 300 | 306 |
| 2007 300 | 60 |
| 2008 300 | 49 |
| 2009 300 | 4 |
| 2010 300 (this page) | 11 |
| 2011 300 | 9 |
| 2012 300 | 19 |
| 2013 300 | 18 |
| 2014 300 | 15 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 11 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Chrysler 300, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden engine failures in 2010 Chrysler 300 models, primarily involving 2.7L engines. The most common complaint is unwarned engine shutdown while driving—on expressways, city streets, and at stop signs—with no preceding warning lights, engine noise changes, or performance hints. Multiple owners maintain the vehicle seized or shut off completely with the engine light never triggering.
One owner reports the engine seized at 61,000 miles on the interstate with no oil warning. Another describes rapid oil loss (dropping to nearly empty within weeks of a dealer oil change) with the oil gauge and maintenance light both reading normal, followed by complete engine failure. A third owner had a timing chain guide failure diagnosed after a dealership misdiagnosis; the mechanic explained the guides were worn, causing metal-to-metal rubbing and creating a safety hazard at highway speeds.
Owners who pursued warranty coverage or dealership repairs encountered obstacles: Chrysler denied claims citing sludge as maintenance-related despite maintenance receipts; dealerships charged hundreds of dollars for misdiagnosis. One independent engine shop identified the timing chain issue and repaired it for $1,100. A single report mentions rental-car engine fire while driving on the highway. Engine replacement estimates range from $3,200 to $8,000. Multiple owners reference a pending class-action lawsuit and online petition against Chrysler 2.7L engine defects.
Same Chrysler 300 engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Sludge buildup causing catastrophic engine failure
Engine seizure and complete failure attributed to internal sludge accumulation. Owners report sudden, complete loss of engine function with no warning indicators. Chrysler has denied warranty coverage citing sludge as maintenance-related, though owners claim regular maintenance was performed.
When: Low mileage (reported 61,000 miles in one case), sudden onset
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown with no warning lights; Complete engine seizure; No oil level warnings despite oil loss
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; estimates $3,200–$8,000. One owner paid $1,100 to independent shop after dealership misdiagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler denies warranty claims for sludge-related failures; states insufficient complaint volume for recall; pending class-action lawsuit against Chrysler 2.7L V6 engines mentioned by owner
Timing chain guide wear causing metal-to-metal contact
Timing chain guides deteriorate, allowing metal-to-metal friction inside the engine. Owners report audible grinding/growling noise. Condition creates safety hazard if engine fails at highway speeds. One independent engine builder confirmed diagnosis; Chrysler dealership initially failed to identify the issue.
When: Manifests as growling noise; one case at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Growling or rubbing noise from engine; Grinding sound indicating internal wear
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership charged $1,517.99 for initial misdiagnosis; independent shop repair cost $1,100. Owner states Chrysler known about issue since 2014 or earlier.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler allegedly aware since 2014 but has not issued recalls or fixes; no official response documented in narratives
Oil loss without gauge indication
Engine oil disappears between service intervals with no oil-pressure warning light or gauge indication of low oil level. Owner had oil change at dealership, then within weeks oil level dropped from normal to nearly empty. Cause of oil loss not explained by any shop. Resulted in complete engine failure requiring replacement.
When: Within weeks of dealer oil-change service
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking noise from engine; Oil level dropping rapidly (1 quart then 5 quarts within weeks); Oil gauge reading normal despite low actual oil level; Maintenance light never illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement needed; cost estimates $3,200–$8,000
Stalling without warning during normal driving
Engine cuts off suddenly while operating on expressways, city streets, or at stop signs. No warning lights, no engine noise changes, no performance degradation before shutdown. Vehicle must be restarted after stall. Repeat occurrences reported by multiple owners; diagnostic testing cannot reproduce or identify cause.
When: Occurs at various mileages (38,000–42,000 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown with no warning; No dashboard warning lights before or after stall; No pre-stall engine sounds or hesitation; Requires manual restart; Repeated stalls (5–6 instances reported within months)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic testing shows no stored fault codes; dealership cannot reproduce issue or determine cause
Engine fire while driving
Single report of rental vehicle engine beginning to smoke and then ignite while driving on highway. Vehicle burned after driver pulled over.
When: During highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Smoking from engine compartment; Rapid fire spread
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Rental car, started smoking while driving on the highway, pulled over, started to burn quickly. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2010 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 engine problem on the 2010 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 59,000 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 59,000; a quarter make it past 72,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2010/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.