2013 Chrysler 200 brakes problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Among the 6 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chrysler 200 has widespread brake issues ranging from chronic squealing that dealers say they can't fix to complete brake failure where the pedal goes to the floor. Many owners report the brake warning light staying on even after full brake service, and some experience premature pad wear requiring replacement every 14,000 miles or sooner—making this a significant reliability and safety concern.
Owners describe two categories of brake trouble: nuisance noise and functional failure.
Squealing and squeaking plague the fleet starting around 9,000 miles. Noise comes from front and rear, especially when braking or backing up. One owner took his car to the dealer six times; they gave up, saying Chrysler knows about it but has no fix. Another was told the noise is normal design—a claim he rejected for a brand-new vehicle. Dealers have replaced pads and resurfaced rotors; the noise returns. One owner notes that aftermarket brake pads from an auto-parts store outlasted OEM pads by 40,000 miles.
The functional failures are scarier. One owner reports the brake pedal felt spongy at 13,000 miles; replacing the master cylinder, booster, and ABS module didn't help. Another's pedal went straight to the floor at 50 mph; he used the emergency brake to stop. A third reports the pedal failed to fully stop the vehicle. Multiple owners describe the brake warning light staying on—sometimes constantly, sometimes at random—even after new pads and rotors.
Premature wear is common: one owner needed front brakes at 14,000 miles; he also owns a 2011 Chrysler 200 that needed them at 19,000. A fourth owner experienced brake pad failure every 3 to 6 months starting in 2014, making repairs expensive and repeated.
Dealers often can't duplicate reported noises and, in some cases, have dismissed complaints as normal operation.
Same Chrysler 200 brakes reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake Squealing and Screeching (Front and Rear)
Chronic high-pitched squealing, screeching, or squeaking noises from brakes during normal braking. Some owners report the noise is loud enough to attract attention at traffic lights. Multiple visits to dealership have failed to resolve the issue. Dealers attributed it to corrosion or claimed it was normal design, but the noise persists after brake pad replacement and resurfacing.
When: 9,000–37,000 miles; one owner reports issue ongoing from 2014 to 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Loud screeching or squealing when braking; Squeaking in reverse and normal braking; Grinding noise in reverse; Noise intermittent or continuous; Noise persists after brake pad replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads replaced (narrative #7); front brake resurfacing performed (narrative #4); brake pads replaced multiple times (narrative #12 – 14,000 miles; narrative #17 – every 3–6 months). Owner reports aftermarket brake pads from AutoZone performed better than OEM.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owners this was normal design or manufacturer is aware but has no fix (narratives #1, #3, #11). Chrysler informed one owner they know about the issue but cannot resolve it.
Spongy Brake Pedal with Extended Stopping Distance
Brake pedal feels soft or spongy when depressed, requiring longer distance to stop the vehicle. Accompanied by illuminated brake warning light. Issue persisted despite replacement of multiple hydraulic components.
When: 13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spongy brake pedal feel; Extended braking distance; Brake warning light illuminated; Vehicle occasionally stalled and lost motive power
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module, brake booster, and brake master cylinder replaced but failure persisted (narrative #2). Vehicle also experienced stalling; dealer unable to duplicate the failure.
Brake Pedal Goes to Floor / Total Brake Failure
Brake pedal depressed goes straight to the floor with no stopping resistance. One owner reports vehicle went out of control when brakes failed at speed; emergency brake used to stop vehicle. Another owner reports brake pedal failed to fully stop vehicle.
When: 24,700 miles; incident at 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor; No hydraulic resistance when braking; Vehicle unable to stop or significantly slowed stopping ability; Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Brake master cylinder replacement recommended (narrative #9) but vehicle not repaired. Narrative #16 does not indicate repair status.
Brake Warning Light Remains Illuminated / Persists After Repair
Brake warning light stays on during normal driving or comes on at random intervals (while driving, parked, at traffic lights, on freeway). Light persists after full brake system service including pads and rotors.
When: Multiple intervals; continuous after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminated constantly or intermittently; Light comes on at random times; Light persists after brake pad and rotor replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had both front and rear brakes installed by independent mechanic; brake warning light still comes on (narrative #13).
Abnormal Brake Noise Dismissed as Normal by Dealer
Owners report abnormal grinding or squeaking from brakes when reversing. Dealerships diagnosed the noise as normal vehicle design, deflecting responsibility. Rear brake pad replacement sometimes performed but noise recurred.
When: 5,000–14,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or squeaking noise only in reverse; Abnormal noise when brake pedal engaged; Noise described as continuous or recurring; Noise unusual for a new vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads replaced but noise persisted (narrative #3). Some dealers performed diagnostic but could not duplicate or diagnose the noise (narratives #10, #14).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owner noise was normal design (narrative #3). Chrysler made aware by certified letter; owner was awaiting response. Manufacturer notified by other owners but vehicles not repaired (narratives #10, #14).
Brake-Related Warning Lights with Stalling / Loss of Motive Power
Brake warning light, malfunction indicator light, and electronic stability control light illuminate. Vehicle experiences hesitation, stalling, or loss of power while driving at various speeds immediately after brake warning occurs.
When: 25 mph and 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminates; Malfunction indicator light displayed; Electronic stability control warning light illuminates; Vehicle hesitates or lunges forward as if stalling; Loss of motive power at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired by owner (narratives #2, #6).
Premature Brake Pad Wear
Front brake pads require replacement at unusually low mileage. Owner reports owning a 2011 Chrysler 200 with identical issue. Aftermarket brake pads demonstrated superior longevity.
When: 14,000 miles (2013 model); 19,000 miles (2011 model)
Symptoms owners cite: Front brakes worn and requiring replacement; Rapid pad wear repeated on similar model year
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced front brakes with AutoZone aftermarket parts on the 2011 model; brakes lasted over 40,000 additional miles. Owner suspects poor OEM brake material.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2013 Chrysler 200?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 10,000 and 19,125 miles, with the median around 13,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 19,125. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.