My heater quit working on passenger side. It will not blow hot air through defrost, vents or floor on that side. Took it to dealership and they claim I need new radiator, reservoir bottle and heater core due to sludge from factory. Its going to be sixteen hundred dollars to fix. Chrysler admits to this problem in the 2012 model but not 2011. I feel like this should be a recall and Chrysler be…
2011 Chrysler 200 engine problems
severe 75 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
75
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2crashes
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 75 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Chrysler 200, 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
Owners have filed 75 engine 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.
Among the 7 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Chrysler 200 has widespread, unresolved engine stalling issues that dealers cannot diagnose or fix, plus heating system contamination that often requires costly repairs. Avoid this model unless you can accept ongoing safety risks and expensive repairs outside warranty coverage.
The 2011 Chrysler 200 accumulates complaints of engine shutdowns that happen without warning—most often at idle or low speeds while stopped at traffic lights. The car simply dies, leaving the driver with no power steering or brakes and no check engine light to indicate what's wrong. Restarting works fine; the car runs normally until it dies again. Owners report this happening dozens of times over months or years, and dealerships consistently cannot diagnose it. Multiple shop visits turn up no fault codes.
Beyond stalling, owners describe jerky, rough acceleration with hesitation, and some report loud banging noises that feel like a collision. The heater cores fail prematurely—typically 4 to 6 years in—requiring expensive replacement. One owner cites a manufacturing defect involving casting sand contaminating the cooling and heating systems from the factory, spreading through the engine and radiator. Chrysler acknowledges this issue internally but hasn't recalled it.
Owners also report throttle body wear at relatively low mileage, loss of power during highway driving, and start-up failures with extended restart delays. The recurring theme: dealerships cannot pin down the cause, multiple repairs yield nothing, and Chrysler has not issued recalls despite owners finding 300+ similar complaints online. The combination of undiagnosed safety failures and heating system defects makes this model risky for anyone who cannot afford major repairs or does not have a backup vehicle.
Same Chrysler 200 engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling at idle and low speed
Engine shuts off completely without warning while stopped at traffic lights, stop signs, or during very slow driving (5-15 mph). No check engine light or fault codes register. Vehicle requires putting car in park and restarting to resume operation. Happens repeatedly over months or years for affected owners.
When: Primarily at idle and under 15 mph; early failures at 2,000-17,000 miles; recurring instances reported through 149,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown with no warning; Loss of power steering when stalled; Loss of brake assist when stalled; No check engine light or diagnostic codes; Vehicle restarts normally after shutdown; Occurs sporadically, multiple times per week to multiple times per year
Codes mentioned: No codes recorded (most common), P0108 (MAP sensor), U0401 (Anti-lock brakes - implausible data), P061C (Powertrain Control Module RPM performance)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to duplicate or diagnose in most cases; some owners report technicians could not identify root cause after multiple visits; one owner mentions extended warranty denial due to contamination
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Action Number PE12016 (Engine) mentioned in multiple complaints; Chrysler reportedly aware of issue per owner statements but no recalls issued
Heater core failure and cooling system contamination
Heating system fails, producing only cold air. Dealerships diagnose faulty heater cores that require replacement. Owners report this occurs at relatively low mileage (4-6 years old) and is widespread among 2011 model. One owner references STAR issue S1109000002 involving casting sand contamination in radiator, cooling, and heating systems that spreads throughout engine.
When: 4-6 years after purchase; one owner at 183,790 miles with complete engine failure
Symptoms owners cite: Heater blows only cold air; No heat output through vents, defrost, or floor; Internal sludge or contamination visible to technicians; Heating core blockage or failure
Repairs/costs cited: $300 heating flush (ineffective); heater core replacement $1,100-$1,600 out of warranty; multiple owners note parts on back order due to volume of failures; one owner cited $2,200 repair quoted by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: STAR issue S1109000002 acknowledged as known issue by dealership per owner; extended warranty refuses repair if contamination present; Chrysler admits to problem in 2012 model per one owner but not officially for 2011; no recall issued
Jerking and hesitation during acceleration
Vehicle exhibits rough, jerky motion and hesitation during driving regardless of speed. Owners describe it as catching between gears or losing fuel momentarily. Motion is inconsistent and worsens over time. One owner reports loud banging noise accompanying jerks, simulating hard collision impact.
When: Early in ownership (purchased July 2011); increases in frequency over first year; one owner reports daily occurrence by later timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Jerky, inconsistent motion during acceleration; Feels like car isn't getting fuel momentarily; Hesitation from complete stop; Loud banging or lunging sensation; Getting caught between gears sensation
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid for software upgrade that did not resolve issue despite being current; another Chrysler mechanic felt jerking and noted software upgrade needed but car was already current
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed computer problem; no error codes displayed; Chrysler mechanic acknowledged transmission-related jerking and suggested software upgrade already applied
Throttle body and electronic control throttle failure
Vehicle loses acceleration capability or speed reduces unexpectedly to 20 mph without driver input. Electronic control throttle malfunction diagnosed by dealer. One owner reports throttle body worn out prematurely at out-of-warranty mileage. Throttle is replaced but issue considered premature wear.
When: At 33,980 miles (electronic control throttle); at surface street speeds for throttle body failure; out-of-warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle speed drops to 20 mph independently while driving 60-65 mph; Vehicle will not accelerate beyond 20 mph after failure; Traction control warning light illuminates; Electronic control throttle warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic control throttle replacement at dealer; throttle body replacement at considerable expense out of warranty; mechanic stated internal parts defective and wore out prematurely; mechanic reported replacing many throttle bodies on this model
Loss of power and inability to restart
Engine loses power while driving or parked. Vehicle dead and will not start for extended periods (30-45 minutes to hours). One incident involved smoke under hood and complete engine failure requiring replacement.
When: One instance at 183,790 miles; mileage unknown for others
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Vehicle completely dead, will not start; Smoke under hood in one case; Extended restart delay (30-45 minutes to hours)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's engine required replacement at 183,790 miles; vehicle towed to independent mechanic; repair cost unknown
Transmission and shifting problems
Transmission-related concerns reported alongside engine issues. One owner taken to shop twice for transmission problems. Jerking and rough shifting sensations accompany engine hesitation complaints.
When: Early in ownership; at 17,280 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Rough shifting; Jerking during gear changes; Transmission diagnostics performed multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to shop at least five times for engine stalling and twice for transmission problems; repairs documented but failures persisted
Start-up and battery issues
Vehicle fails to start or exhibits slow crank on multiple occasions within first year of ownership. Owners cite fuel pump failures and battery replacement as diagnoses at very low mileage.
When: At 17,280 miles and within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Slow crank on restart attempts; Repeated no-start conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Two towing incidents within one month; fuel pump replacement (twice in one month per owner); battery replacement performed
Check engine light and diagnostic issues
Check engine light illuminates with no corresponding fault codes, or light does not illuminate at all despite major failures. Multiple dealer visits unable to retrieve codes or diagnose issues.
When: Throughout ownership timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on with no codes; Check engine light absent during major failures; All dashboard lights functioning normally during stall events
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose; multiple shop visits yielded no codes or conflicting diagnoses (fuel pump, battery, MAP sensor, PVC hose, catalytic converter, cylinder compression, etc.)
Synthesized from 75 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 200. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and took the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The dealer could not find a defective code to identify the problem with the vehicle. The contact stated that the stalling would occur sporadically and the contact had encountered…
After 5 years, I discovered that there is a star issue on this car with casting sand contaminating the radiator, cooling and heating systems. The dealership wants to charge me $2200 to fix even though this is a known issue since before I purchased the car. It came out in february 2011. Star issue s1109000002. First my ac did not work. The dealer replaced. Then my heat did not work but dealer said…
While driving my car all of a sudden out of the blue it will just dies sometimes at 50 miles an hour sometimes at 75 miles an hour sometimes at 5 miles an hour just leaving a stop sign no fail codes whatsoever. After about one or two hours of sitting the car starts right up and drives good until the next time it does it I'm not the only one who has been having trouble with the unsafe p.o.s.!
Had engine trouble with your 2011 Chrysler 200?
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 2011 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 75 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 63 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 7,900 and 58,000 miles, with the median around 15,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,900; a quarter make it past 58,000. 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/2011/Chrysler/200.
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.