Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chrysler 200. While attempting to activate the heat in the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal noise under the dashboard of the passenger side of the vehicle once the fan started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. Updated 02/26/16*lj *cn
2013 Chrysler 200 electrical problems
moderate 88 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
88
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 88 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 Chrysler 200, 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
Owners have filed 88 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.
Among the 7 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chrysler 200's electrical system is unreliable and potentially dangerous. Owners report engine stalls without warning at highway speeds, battery drains that persist after replacement, alternator failures with no advance warning, and TIPM failures causing multiple component malfunctions—many issues remain unresolved even after dealer visits and part replacement.
The 2013 Chrysler 200 has serious electrical and engine control problems that create real safety hazards. The most dangerous is repeated engine stalling while driving—owners report losing all power at speeds from city streets to 70 mph, losing power steering and brakes, and being unable to restart for 30 minutes to hours. This has happened multiple times to the same owners and nearly caused crashes at intersections and on highways.
Alternator failures happen suddenly with no warning lights beforehand, killing all electrical power mid-drive. Battery drain persists even after replacing the battery twice or three times. The TIPM (power module) fails and causes wipers to run uncontrollably, door locks to lock/unlock on their own, headlights to shut off, and HVAC to quit working.
Smaller but persistent electrical gremlins include a horn that won't work when pressed but honks randomly all day, headlights that only illuminate a 20-foot tunnel at night, hazard lights that stay on and cannot be turned off, and power windows that stop working in pairs. Fuel system wiring has shorted and caused fires. Active headrests have deployed without any crash. One passenger seat belt buckle won't unbuckle and requires climbing out from under it. Even when owners take these cars to dealerships, diagnostics often return no codes and repairs don't hold—the same failures reoccur within weeks or months.
Same Chrysler 200 electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalls without warning while driving
Vehicle loses all power and shuts off suddenly during operation at various speeds (from city streets to 70 mph highways), often without warning lights. Restart is unpredictable—sometimes immediate, sometimes after 30 minutes to 2 hours. Loss of power steering and braking assistance creates serious crash risk.
When: Throughout vehicle's service life, reported from shortly after purchase to 172,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving; No warning lights in many cases, though some report dashboard indicators illuminating as engine dies; Difficulty restarting; may require waiting 30 min to 2+ hours; Loss of power steering and braking control; Multiple stalls for same owner (2–10+ occurrences)
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes retrieved in many cases, Some report: P0506, P0137, P0171, P0131, P0302
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement and software patches applied without resolution; fuel pump replacements (2x in one case) ineffective; mechanic diagnostics often inconclusive; no fix holds long-term
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA investigation closed after Sept. 2012 software patch; Recall N52 and 13V043000 mentioned by owners but reportedly do not cover all VINs; Chrysler engineers reportedly 'did not know how to fix the problem' per dealership service rep; no recall issued despite pattern
Alternator failure and charging system malfunction
Alternator fails suddenly, often without warning lights, causing complete loss of electrical power and engine shutdown at highway speeds. Some cases involve diode short to ground. Battery drain occurs despite battery replacement.
When: Under 30,000 miles in some cases; also reported at higher mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of all electrical power while driving; No advance warning from check engine or battery lights; Complete electrical system failure and dashboard illumination; Vehicle shuts off without ability to restart immediately; Battery drain even after battery replacement
Codes mentioned: No codes in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement (sometimes 2x); battery replacements (up to 3x); replacement ineffective; electrical short to ground condition persists in some cases; recall P60 mentioned but owner states vehicle not covered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P60 (alternator diode issue) exists but reportedly does not cover all affected vehicles; FCA stated 'nothing they can do' and repair is 'out-of-pocket'; NHTSA did not modify recall scope despite owner escalation; dealer claimed nothing to do
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) malfunction
TIPM failure causes multiple electrical system failures including uncontrolled wiper operation, door locks/unlocks, headlight shutoff, HVAC blower failure, and loss of dashboard displays. Appears to be a common root cause but often misdiagnosed initially.
When: Reported at various mileages including 60,000–79,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers operate uncontrollably, staying on after shut-off; Power door locks lock/unlock on their own; HVAC blower stops working or operates sporadically; Headlights shut off unexpectedly; All dashboard warning lights illuminate; Power windows stop working intermittently; Integrated fuse system malfunction
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes available in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement performed; one owner reports TIPM, battery, and clock replaced with electrical issues recurring; another TIPM replacement didn't resolve issue; repair costs not specified in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall mentions exist but repairs incomplete or denied; Chrysler customer care told owner issue was 'fixed in 2014' but owner disputes this; one dealership gave up, service rep stated 'Chrysler engineers did not know how to fix the problem'
Horn malfunction—no manual activation but random honking
Manual horn control does not function when pressed, but horn sounds randomly and uncontrollably throughout the day. Creates safety hazard by alerting other drivers unexpectedly and causing distraction. Owner unable to alert other drivers of her presence, resulting in a collision she was unable to prevent.
When: Chronic issue; multiple episodes daily
Symptoms owners cite: Manual horn press produces no sound; Random spontaneous honking, continuous or in short bursts; Occurs while driving and while parked; Can last for very long continuous blasts
Codes mentioned: No error code found by mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic plugged in diagnostic computer; no error codes returned; mechanic suspected electrical issue but unable to pinpoint without code
Unintended ignition system behavior—engine floods, key stuck
Engine floods uncontrollably after key turn; ignition key remains stuck in 'ON' position and unable to process start. Prevents vehicle from starting or running.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Engine floods on its own after ignition key turn; Key becomes stuck in ON position; Unable to start engine; Unable to turn key to OFF position
Passenger seat belt buckle malfunction—unable to unbuckle
Passenger seat belt cannot be released when button is pressed. Requires hard pulling or passenger climbing out from under belt to exit. Affects safety in emergency situations.
When: Soon after purchase; chronic
Symptoms owners cite: Red button press does not unlatch belt; Requires extreme force to unbuckle; Sometimes works, sometimes stuck; Intermittent failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued September 13, 2016, but no solution provided; owner states recall site still shows no fix as of complaint date; recall notice states Chrysler does not know how to fix the problem
Active Headrest Restraint (AHR) unintended deployment
Active headrest deploys without cause or crash, striking occupant in back of head. Both driver and passenger headrests deployed and cannot be reset. Creates danger and airbag warning light remains illuminated.
When: Multiple deployments over time; passenger side deployed couple years before driver side
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise and impact to back of head; Both headrests deploy without crash; Cannot be manually reset; Airbag warning light remains on continuously; Driver nearly entered opposite lane due to impact
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection revealed manufacturing defect (small piece of plastic left in manufacturing); parts ordered but never arrived; second visit dealer employee no longer there and parts never ordered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls S61 and T56 mentioned by owner; FCA customer care stated 'fixed in 2014' and 'out of warranty'; dealer wants $1,000 to replace headrests; recall language states FCA will correct at no charge, but owner denied repair
Electrical system fires and wiring hazards
Wiring harness shorts and arcs near fuel pump, creating fire risk. Vehicle catches fire under hood while driving. Overload/fuse system fails to prevent damage.
When: At 41,000 miles (wiring harness); highway driving at unknown speed (fire)
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical arcing at fuel pump wiring; Vehicle stops without warning; Flames erupt under engine hood; Complete electrical failure at point of short
Repairs/costs cited: Entire wiring harness to fuel pump must be replaced; vehicle destroyed by fire; fire department called but no official report filed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle (fire case) not included in NHTSA Campaign 13V043000; manufacturer notified and awaiting callback; harness case diagnosed by Putnam Chrysler; no recall issued
Vehicle losing power and stalling at traffic lights and low speeds
Engine stalls while idling or at very low speeds (under 10 mph), including at traffic lights and during turns. Vehicle loses all power and cannot be restarted immediately.
When: At stops and low-speed maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while idling or approaching stop; Complete power loss; Immediate danger in intersection or traffic situation; Requires extended wait for restart (may be same as longer-term stall issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostics inconclusive; multiple dealer visits with no duplication of failure
Headlight shutter system produces inadequate/dangerous beam pattern
Headlight shutter system for high-beam/low-beam control creates extremely narrow, tunnel-like beam that only illuminates 20 feet ahead with no side visibility. Makes night driving on unlit roads extremely dangerous. Unable to see road curves.
When: When operating low-beam headlights
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam creates tunnel vision, only 20 feet ahead visible; No visibility to sides or above road level; Cannot see road curves or hazards beyond immediate path; Driver pulled over due to fear of continuing
Hazard lights activating unintentionally
Hazard lights turn on and stay on without button being pressed. Cannot be turned off once activated. Causes confusion to other drivers thinking vehicle is in distress.
When: Multiple spontaneous episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Hazard lights activate without button press; Lights flash repeatedly and cannot be turned off; Occurs at highway speeds; Other drivers think vehicle needs to pull over
Power window failure—intermittent operation and electrical drain
Power windows stop working intermittently; when one window operates, the other may not. Electrical issue correlates with cigarette lighter and charger port failures. Affects multiple windows alternately.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Windows fail to operate in pairs—if driver side works, passenger side doesn't, and vice versa; Cigarette lighters stop working; USB/charger ports stop working; Occurs while stationary or moving
Repairs/costs cited: One owner jumped window directly with battery and wires to raise it; no permanent fix found
HVAC blower failure—no heat or defrost
Blower for heating and air conditioning stops working, eliminating heat and defrost capability. Creates dangerous condition when raining (cannot see out windshield). Starts as sporadic operation then complete failure.
When: 31 days after purchase (one case); 87,000 miles (another)
Symptoms owners cite: Blower sputters then quits completely; No heat output; No defrost function; Inability to clear windshield in rain
Repairs/costs cited: One diagnosis: faulty TIPM requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired; no work done
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance provided
Engine ignition coil overheating and melting into valve cover
Ignition coil on #2 cylinder melts into valve cover, cracking the valve cover. Excessive voltage sent to single cylinder causes coil to fail repeatedly even after replacement. Root cause described as electrical problem sending too much voltage.
When: After initial crank sensor failure diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Rough chugging while driving; Vehicle dies after restart attempt; Ignition coil melts and damages valve cover; Problem repeats after coil and valve cover replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Crank shaft position sensor replaced first (ineffective); ignition coil #2 replaced with all spark plugs (ineffective); coil melted again; valve cover replaced; coil melted again; currently at dealership with electrical overload diagnosis; 4 weeks without vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Preliminary dealership estimate is electrical problem sending too much voltage; no fix identified
Battery drains despite repeated replacement
Battery drains completely despite being replaced twice in 3 months with new batteries. Alternator tests fine. Undefined electrical component is causing the drain. Check engine, ABS, traction, and brake lights illuminate while driving.
When: Repeated pattern over 3-month period
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead despite recent replacement; Check engine light comes on while driving; ABS light illuminates while driving; Traction light illuminates while driving; Brake light illuminates while driving; Lights turn off and on while driving (headlights, interior lights); Rough idle and stalling on highway; Rough drive feel, requires excessive acceleration to maintain speed; Gasoline smell while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced twice; alternator tested fine; dealership unable to read codes when lights not on; lights only appear while driving; third replacement needed; rough engine with no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to help; told owner they cannot read codes if lights are not on
Unintended acceleration while driving
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input. Combined with stalling and multiple warning light illumination.
When: At various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without gas pedal input; Simultaneous stalling; Multiple warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer found piece of paper on dashboard interfering with sensors; failure persisted after removal; vehicle never repaired
Passenger side airbag deploys unintentionally without crash
Passenger airbag deploys suddenly without vehicle being in a crash. Renders seat inoperable and cannot be adjusted.
When: At undisclosed speed during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden airbag deployment without impact; Passenger seat becomes inoperable; Seat cannot be adjusted or positioned
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign 13V282000; dealer refused to repair, citing previous repair under recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V282000 applies but dealer refused repair
Electrical system random component activation
Multiple electrical system components activate randomly or fail to deactivate—wipers, door locks, headlights, warning lights—often simultaneously. Engine restart occurs with key removed from ignition.
When: Intermittent, chronic
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers run without activation; Doors lock and unlock spontaneously; Engine restart cycles while key is out of ignition; Engine refuses to turn over when key inserted, then starts after extended hold; Key says 'IN IGNITION' when removed; Interior lights come on while driving
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM, battery, and clock replaced; electrical issues repeated afterward
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer care advised dealership to tell owner to pick up car without resolution; case manager gave up; dealer service rep stated 'Chrysler engineers did not know how to fix the problem'; within lemon law period but no action taken
Instrument panel and dashboard light malfunction
Dashboard lights and warning indicators illuminate intermittently or fail to illuminate appropriately. Instrument cluster and gauges malfunction.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Warning lights flashing on and off without cause; Gas cap light staying on despite fuel cap being secure; Lights illuminating when vehicle is off; Rapid flashing of multiple different lights on dash
Repairs/costs cited: Gas cap light reoccurs despite fuel system checks and valve replacement; sensors replaced without resolution
Turn signal and rear lamp failures
Rear passenger side turn signal fails to work. Warning lamp illuminates but repair attempts unsuccessful.
When: At 13,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal does not function; Warning lamp illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Visited dealer twice; first time unable to replicate/diagnose; second visit cleared code; third repair involved replacing control module; failure persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; stated no recall
Fuel pump wiring harness failure and electrical fire risk
Wiring harness to fuel pump shorts out near fuel pump, causing electrical arcing and potential fire.
When: At 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical arcing at fuel pump; Vehicle stops without warning; Electrical damage to wiring
Repairs/costs cited: Entire wiring harness to fuel pump must be replaced
Thermostat/temperature control issue affecting one side of HVAC
Heat distribution becomes uneven; passenger side blows cold while driver side blows warm. Cannot equalize temperature.
When: After vehicle use
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side HVAC blows cold air; Driver side HVAC blows warm air; Temperature imbalance cannot be corrected
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's mechanic suggested PSM (power steering module) replacement or reset; another case involved heater core replacement (though not in this narrative)
Electronic throttle control malfunction
Vehicle shakes violently and loses acceleration capability. Electronic throttle control replaced as repair.
When: At 77,000 miles while driving 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking while driving; Loss of motive power and immediate deceleration; Multiple warning indicators illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic throttle control replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; stated no recall
Synthesized from 88 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2013 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 electrical problem on the 2013 Chrysler 200?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 88 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 64 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 50,944 and 104,111 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,944; a quarter make it past 104,111. 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/2013/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.