Live in mn. When driving on wet or icy roads the rear end sways back and forth so much you feel like the car will sway so far out of control and cause an accident. The first winter owned the car I started to accelerate down the highway and there was some dry tar but also narrow strips of ice here and there but I could not even get my speed up 30 MPH without the back end of the car swaying so hard…
2011 Chrysler 200 suspension problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 15 suspension 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
Among the 5 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2011 Chrysler 200 owners report widespread rear suspension failures including strut leakage, uncontrolled sway (especially on wet/snow roads), and control arm bushing wear that create unsafe handling at moderate speeds. Multiple complaints describe near-crashes and one rollover; Chrysler has acknowledged these as known issues but repair costs ($1,500+) fall on owners.
The 2011 Chrysler 200 suspension generates consistent complaints about rear-end instability. Owners describe leaking rear struts that lose damping, causing the car to bounce and jerk violently over bumps and rough pavement. The most serious failure mode is uncontrolled rear-end sway on wet, snowy, or icy roads—owners report loss of control at speeds as low as 30–40 mph, with several describing near-spinouts into oncoming traffic and one crash resulting in a rollover.
Rear tire wear is excessive and uneven, concentrated on the inner edge, particularly when the vehicle carries passengers or cargo in the rear. One owner went through two sets of rear tires early in ownership. Owners frequently mention that dealerships acknowledge the problem but offer no repair; some Chrysler service personnel have told owners it is a "known issue" without a fix. A STAR case (#S1517000003) exists for rear suspension traction loss, with a recommended repair kit costing around $1,500 and involving strut, spring, isolator replacement plus wheel alignment. Control arm bushing failure and swing arm link wear have also been diagnosed. One owner reported ABS light activation with steering noise followed by a loss-of-control incident on a curved road. Most complaints cluster in the first year of ownership or shortly after used purchase.
Same Chrysler 200 suspension reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Strut Leakage and Loss of Damping
Struts, particularly on the passenger rear side, develop fluid leaks causing loss of damping capability. This failure allows excessive vertical movement and loss of suspension control.
When: Early ownership; within weeks of purchase in some cases; failures reported as early as 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from strut; Rear of vehicle bounces and jerks excessively over bumps and uneven pavement; Vehicle unstable at speeds above 40 mph on rough surfaces; Excessive tire wear on inner edge of rear tires
Repairs/costs cited: $600 quoted for strut replacement; owners report additional suspension components may need replacement beyond struts alone
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler aware of issue per owner claims; STAR case #S1517000003 references rear suspension traction loss with recommended kit FP 68291120-AA requiring rear shock/spring/isolator replacement and 4-wheel alignment
Rear Suspension Swaying and Loss of Traction on Wet/Snow Roads
Rear end exhibits uncontrolled side-to-side sway when vehicle carries cargo or passengers in rear, particularly on wet, snowy, or icy road surfaces. Owners report loss of vehicle control and near-spinouts.
When: Occurs in wet/snow conditions; some owners note speed-dependent behavior (problems above 30-35 mph on problem roads)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end sways back and forth uncontrollably; Vehicle fishtails or slides as if on ice; Loss of control requiring corrective steering to avoid spinout; Cannot maintain speed above 30-40 mph on wet/snow roads; Excessive inner tire wear when carrying rear-seat passengers or cargo; Issue triggered or worsened by weight over 50 lbs in rear seat or trunk
Repairs/costs cited: STAR case #S1517000003 recommends kit FP 68291120-AA including rear shocks, springs, upper and lower isolators, sway bar link and bushing removal, plus 4-wheel alignment with front and rear toe set to -10 degrees; repair cost quoted at $1,500
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler service techs told owners this is a 'known issue'; STAR case #S1517000003 exists but not accessible to owners; Chrysler representatives claimed 'known problem without a fix' per owner reports
Control Arm Bushing Failure
Control arm bushings deteriorate or fail, causing uncontrolled rear-end movement during various driving conditions.
When: Mileage not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end veers out of control while traveling at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at dealership but not repaired per owner report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no action taken
Swing Arm Link Clanking Noise
Swing arm links produce loud clanking sounds when vehicle traverses uneven surfaces, indicating wear or loose attachment.
When: Occurs over uneven pavement surfaces
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clanking noise from swing arm links over uneven surfaces
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate; Chrysler service tech told owner these are 'notorious for this issue' but problem 'gets swept under the rug'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No repair performed; issue characterized as widespread but not addressed
ABS Light Illumination with Steering Noise and Handling Loss
ABS warning light activates repeatedly, accompanied by clicking noises in steering column/wheel area. During one reported incident, driver lost control on curved road with moisture present, resulting in rollover crash.
When: July 4-5 timeframe; failure at undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light comes on repeatedly for extended periods; Clicking noise in steering column and wheel, left side; Vehicle slides as if on ice despite dry to damp conditions; Complete loss of control requiring corrective steering (unsuccessful in this case); Vehicle rolled onto passenger side and off embankment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in crash; airbags did not deploy
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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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 suspension problem on the 2011 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 3,000 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 61,940. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.