Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chrysler 300 electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Chrysler 300 have filed 109 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 55,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
109
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 300 | 58 |
| 2008 300 | 497 |
| 2009 300 | 28 |
| 2010 300 | 25 |
| 2011 300 (this page) | 109 |
| 2012 300 | 181 |
| 2013 300 | 120 |
| 2014 300 | 63 |
| 2015 300 | 10 |
1crash
8fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 109 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Chrysler 300, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 55% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 109 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Fuel Pump Connector Replacement The technician may experience a crank/no start after the fuel pump module was replaced. This bulletin involves replacing the fuel pump connector harness (pigtail) when replacing the fuel pump module.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗High Beam Headlamps Flicker This bulletin involves installing jumper wires from the Power Distribution Center(PDC) to the headlamp connectors. The technician may find one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).B1632-15 - Left High Beam Control-Circuit Short To Battery Or Open. B1636-11 - Right High Beam Control-Circuit Short To Ground. In addition the customer may describe the following:High beam headlamps flicker in cold weather. High beams lamps not working properly in cold weather.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Chrysler 300 has a widespread alternator failure problem that strikes without warning. Owners consistently describe the same sequence: a "battery saver mode" light appears on the dashboard, the radio cuts off, various warning lights flash, and then the entire vehicle loses electrical power—engine stalls, steering locks up, brakes become hard to apply, and emergency flashers won't activate. This happens at highway speeds and in intersections, creating serious safety hazards.
The failures cluster around 36,000 to 60,000 miles, frequently right after the factory warranty expires. Repair costs range from $800 to over $1,400 because the alternator often damages the battery beyond recovery, and both parts must be replaced together. In several cases, the alternator overheats so severely that it emits burning plastic smells and actually catches fire under the hood.
Chrysler issued two recalls (P60/Campaign 14V634000 for 160-amp alternators, and later Campaign 17V435000 for a broader electrical fix), but recall parts have been chronically unavailable for months, leaving owners stranded with defective replacement units installed temporarily. The worst part: even after a new alternator is installed at the dealership, the same failure has recurred in multiple vehicles within weeks or months—one owner replaced the alternator three times in 1.5 years. Many dealerships acknowledge this is a known pattern they see repeatedly, yet no permanent fix has materialized.
Same Chrysler 300 electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Alternator failure with sudden power loss and stalling
The alternator fails abruptly, causing the engine to stall and all electrical systems to shut down without warning. Owners lose steering assist, braking power, headlights, and emergency flashers—creating dangerous situations on highways and in intersections.
When: Typically between 22,000 and 100,000 miles; many failures cluster around 36,000–60,000 miles or shortly after factory warranty expiration (36,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Battery saver mode light illuminates on dashboard; Sudden loss of all electrical power; Engine stalls while driving; No steering assist (very stiff steering); Cannot use brakes effectively; Cannot activate emergency flashers; Headlights and interior lights shut off; Radio and navigation systems shut down; Vehicle cannot be jump-started
Codes mentioned: P60 (alternator diode fault), NHTSA Campaign 14V634000 (Electrical System), NHTSA Campaign 17V435000 (Electrical System), U000200 (CAN C Bus fault)
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement costs reported between $800–$1,450; battery often damaged and must also be replaced; labor and diagnostics additional. Repairs performed at Chrysler dealerships and independent shops.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued recalls (P60/14V634000 for 160 amp alternators; 17V435000 broader electrical system). Many recall parts were unavailable for extended periods (months to over a year). Some owners reported Chrysler reimbursed repairs if done elsewhere and receipts submitted. Some dealers offered temporary repairs with defective alternators while awaiting recall parts. Recall does not cover all affected alternators (180 amp units also fail but not included in recall scope).
Alternator overheating, burning odors, and fire risk
The alternator overheats severely, emitting burning plastic or electrical smells, with some cases progressing to actual fire. Wiring harnesses and surrounding components sustain damage from heat; in at least one documented case, flames erupted from the alternator assembly.
When: Occurs while vehicle is running or shortly after shutdown; may occur during low-speed or highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Burning plastic or electrical odor from under hood; Alternator visibly hot or smoking; Melted wires and insulation inside alternator housing; Burning smell coming through vehicle vents; Alternator catches fire or flames visible; Smoke under hood or from engine bay
Codes mentioned: Battery indicator light illumination, NHTSA Campaign 14V634000, NHTSA Campaign 17V435000
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and surrounding wiring harness require replacement; underbody air dam and related components may suffer heat damage and need repair. Total costs exceed $1,000 in severe cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued (P60/14V634000, 17V435000) but parts availability has been a chronic problem, delaying repairs for months.
Battery drained or destroyed by failing alternator
The alternator fails to charge or overcharges, causing rapid battery drain or battery damage. Even after battery replacement, the underlying alternator fault recurs, destroying the new battery as well. Some owners experience multiple battery replacements in short succession.
When: Occurs over days or weeks of normal operation; can occur after a single long drive or after vehicle sits unused
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies suddenly while driving; Battery warning/indicator light illuminates; Vehicle cranks slowly or hesitantly; Battery completely discharged after vehicle sits overnight or over a weekend; Multiple battery failures within 1.5 years despite replacement
Codes mentioned: Battery indicator light, P60, NHTSA Campaign 14V634000, NHTSA Campaign 17V435000
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement alone ($200–$400 range) does not resolve the problem; alternator must be diagnosed and replaced. Owners report replacing battery multiple times (two to three times) before alternator issue was identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some Chrysler dealerships and independent shops tested the charging system and identified the alternator as the source. Chrysler has issued recalls but parts shortages have delayed proper repairs. Reimbursement programs mentioned in some narratives.
Intermittent electrical glitches and cascading system failures
Electrical faults cause progressive failures of individual systems—radio shuts off, wipers activate, brake lights flash, ABS and traction control lights illuminate, navigation and reverse camera fail. The pattern escalates until total loss of power occurs.
When: Occurs while driving at various speeds; may be triggered by load changes (turning on AC or headlights) or occur spontaneously
Symptoms owners cite: Radio cuts off unexpectedly and cannot be restarted; Windshield wipers activate on their own; Brake light illuminates without brake engagement; ABS and traction control warning lights flash on and off; Check engine light illuminates; Reverse camera or navigation system stops functioning; Air conditioning stops working; Dashboard display switches to different language; Gauges go dark or flicker
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Traction control light, Check engine light, Battery saver mode indicator, CAN C Bus fault (U000200), BCM (Body Control Module) fault, SCCM (Steering Column Control Module) fault
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement and battery replacement typical; some cases involve broader electrical system diagnosis. Costs similar to alternator failure repairs ($800–$1,100).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some dealers acknowledged seeing this pattern repeatedly but provided no proactive remedy until owner complaints triggered recall investigations. Recalls issued (14V634000, 17V435000).
Alternator defect recurs after dealer repair with replacement unit
After a dealer replaces the alternator with a new OEM unit, the same failure mode recurs within weeks or months. Some owners report three alternator replacements within 1.5 years. The root cause—a manufacturing defect in the alternator design or supply—is not addressed by simple part swap.
When: Second or third failure occurs 1–4 months after previous alternator replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Battery saver mode reappears after first repair; Loud ticking or whining noise from alternator area; Vehicle stalls again with same symptoms as original failure; Electrical system warning lights illuminate again
Codes mentioned: P60, NHTSA Campaign 14V634000
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple alternator replacements required (2–3 units per vehicle in worst cases); labor and parts costs compound. One dealer offered to install a 'temporarily defective' alternator while recall parts were unavailable, requiring a second replacement later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls (P60, 14V634000, 17V435000) were supposed to address the root cause with new alternator diode design or updated assembly, but parts shortages prevented timely repairs. Some owners waited months for recall parts while driving defective replacement units installed as 'temporary' measures.
Parasitic battery drain when vehicle is parked
Battery drains completely over a few days or a weekend when the vehicle is parked and turned off, even with a newly replaced battery. Towing multiple times for no-crank condition; alternator or charging system fault suspected but not always confirmed.
When: Occurs overnight or over a weekend; vehicle is completely unable to start after sitting
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle completely dead after sitting 12–72 hours; No power to start vehicle; Must be towed to dealership repeatedly (one owner reported 6 tows); Dealers unable to diagnose root cause
Codes mentioned: Battery indicator, Charging system fault (suspected)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple towing bills accumulate; electrical diagnosis often inconclusive at independent shops. One owner had car towed 6 times with no resolution and dealership refused to work on the vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall or service bulletin mentioned for this pattern; dealerships have offered no proactive solution.
Synthesized from 109 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
I was driving my car and I heard a whine from the engine compartment. The battery indicator light came on and I received a "battery saver mode" message on the evic. I parked the vehicle. When I shut it off, the engine had a strong odor of burning plastic about it. When I got back into my car the power was completely gone. Attempts to jump start the vehicle were unsuccessful. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the anti lock brakes and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the…
On my way home from work today, I was driving about 40 MPH when I got a battery saver mode message. I had been getting the message a few days now and didn't know what to think of it. A little further into the commute, I started smelling a burning smell. All of a sudden, all of the vehicles systems start to shut down and the car just dies (while I'm driving it)! Luckily I was able to pull off into…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system) however the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN not…
Experienced complete alternator failure while driving vehicle. No prior warning of alternator problems. After failure of alternator vehicle went into power save mode while driving disabling the ABS, ESC, ECM, and cbc of the vehicle. It also caused an underhood electrical fire in which ems and the fd had to be called. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working up to standards. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system); however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The vehicle had not been…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The failure occurred on several occasions. The dealer stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. Updated 02/18/15*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. While driving various speeds, the battery saving mode warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that there was an abnormal whining noise accompanied by an abnormal odor during the failure. The following day, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the battery saving mode warning indicator illuminated on the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14v634000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 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 electrical problem on the 2011 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 109 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 72 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 40,300 and 70,489 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,300; a quarter make it past 70,489. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/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.