I was driving on the freeway when I noticed smoke coming from underneath my hood and the same time my car was loosing power I glanced at my warning lights in which there was no warning indication that my car was hot nor did the engine light appeared. I finally pulled to the side of the freeway almost causing a pileup with a big rig I proceeded to open the hood when I noticed oil throughout the…
2013 Chrysler 200 powertrain problems
severe 54 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
54
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 54 powertrain 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 54 powertrain 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 powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chrysler 200 has persistent, recurring powertrain failures including transmission locking in first gear, rough shifting at normal speeds, sudden engine stalls without warning, and uncontrolled power loss—often with no diagnostic codes or effective repairs. Many owners report multiple dealership visits, unsuccessful software updates, and denials of lemon law claims.
Owners of 2013 Chrysler 200 models describe a pattern of transmission and powertrain failures that persist across model variants and mileage ranges. The automatic transmission frequently gets stuck in first gear and refuses to upshift, even at highway speeds; the vehicle may restart and work temporarily, but the failure recurs. Multiple owners report rough jerking and thumping between gears at 25–30 mph from day one, with RPMs spiking while the transmission hesitates or fails to engage—behavior Chrysler representatives have attributed to "normal" operation despite affecting hundreds of owners.
Sudden engine stall while driving remains a critical safety issue: the vehicle shuts off without warning at any speed or condition, with no check engine light or other advance indication. Once stalled, the car may take 20 minutes to several hours to restart. Power steering and brakes are lost. Owners also report unexplained power loss, with the vehicle refusing to exceed 30–40 mph despite full throttle, often accompanied by electronic throttle control warnings.
Dealer attempts to diagnose these failures typically fail because no fault codes appear, making troubleshooting impossible. Transmission software updates and PCM flashes provide temporary relief at best. One owner's engine required complete replacement after a piston ring failed. Warranty claims have been denied or minimized, and lemon law claims dismissed despite clear safety hazards and multiple documented repair attempts.
Same Chrysler 200 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission stuck in first gear / failure to upshift
Automatic transmission locks in first gear and refuses to shift to higher gears, even when manually selected. Vehicle shows no diagnostic codes despite repeated shifts and restarts. Recurs intermittently or persistently.
When: 139 miles to 165,000 miles; reported from early ownership through later mileage
Symptoms owners cite: transmission will not shift out of first gear; stuck in neutral or fails to engage gears; second engagement felt before moving; transmission shift selector unresponsive; manual shift mode ineffective
Codes mentioned: No codes present despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose; vehicle restart temporarily resolves; some units received transmission updates/flashes with mixed results; one case required transmission rebuild
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 18-029-13 for 2013 Chrysler 200 powertrain issues; PCM flash updates offered; Chrysler service denies failure after restart; some customers directed to reconsideration/lemon law claims
Rough shifting / jerking / thumping between gears
Transmission jerks, thumps, or lurches during gear changes at moderate speeds (25–30 mph), with elevated RPMs and hesitation. Occurs on acceleration and downshifting. Multiple transmission software updates fail to resolve.
When: As early as 3,400 miles; persists through 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: thumping or jolting sensation when shifting gears; hard downshifts pulling occupants back in seat; jerking at speeds of 25–30 mph; RPM spikes during acceleration without corresponding gear change; transmission hesitant to shift under load; rapid hunting between gears on inclines (6th to 5th to 6th)
Codes mentioned: No codes found by dealers
Repairs/costs cited: Mopar transmission additive applied temporarily; PCM/transmission module updates applied multiple times with only brief relief; dealers insist behavior is normal for newer transmissions; one case involved four dealer visits with no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler rep on test drive stated 'normal experience with Chrysler autos'; manufacturer aware of problem per owner report (200+ affected cars); lemon law claims denied or dismissed with minimal compensation ($493 offer on $39,500 purchase)
Sudden stall / loss of power while driving
Engine shuts off abruptly without warning at any speed or condition (highway, city, stop light). No warning lights illuminate beforehand. Vehicle may not restart immediately; requires 20 min to several hours before restarting.
When: Throughout ownership; reported from early miles to 87,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine dies without warning at variable speeds (25 mph to 70 mph); no warning lights or check engine indicator before stall; power steering and brakes lost after shutdown; hesitation and stalling on acceleration; extended cranking time before restart; stall when coming to a stop or braking
Codes mentioned: No codes present in many cases, P0882 transmission control module (single case)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most narratives; one vehicle sat at dealership 60–90 days for diagnostics; dealers unable to duplicate; independent mechanic found transmission pressure failure in one case; PCM replacement and recall updates (PCM flash) did not resolve in several cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued (owner mentions 13,000+ vehicles recalled for powertrain module); PCM update/flash performed but ineffective; manufacturer initially denies recall applicability to some vehicles; warranty denial on engine replacement claim citing owner oil-change frequency as cause
Transmission slipping in gear / disengagement
Transmission loses grip or slips while in drive, occasionally shifting into neutral autonomously. Vehicle may jerk, lose speed, or coast unexpectedly. Affects second gear and other gears intermittently.
When: Early ownership to higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: transmission slipping in second gear; vehicle goes out of gear as if in neutral; jerking and wheel spin on deceleration; transmission disengages on highway; hard engagement then disengagement on startup
Codes mentioned: Check engine light in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuild performed in one case; torque converter and pump replacement needed in another; one customer had four repair visits with transmission still slipping after rebuild
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denies issue after restart; transmission update applied; manufacturer states no recall available
Power loss / throttle control and acceleration issues
Vehicle loses horsepower, refuses to accelerate above 30–40 mph despite driver input, or surges/revs unexpectedly. Electronic throttle control (ETC) and electronic stability control lights illuminate. Vehicle may limp home at very low speed.
When: Throughout ownership, including highway driving at 70 mph and city driving
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of power while accelerating; vehicle speed capped at 30–40 mph despite full throttle; ETC (electronic throttle control) warning light illumination; electronic stability control light on; uncontrolled surging in reverse and forward without acceleration input; RPM spike to 4–5k but speed remains low (30 mph); engine revs high but will not shift or accelerate
Codes mentioned: No codes in some cases, ETC and ESC warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most cases; vehicle still at dealership without resolution; one case involved throttle body replacement ($823.19 at 74,516 miles, out of warranty)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in several cases; no recall issued; dealers state vehicle is functioning normally
Engine piston ring failure and catastrophic internal engine damage
Piston ring detached from piston, causing internal engine failure with oil leakage throughout engine. Engine replacement required.
When: Relatively early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: smoke from under hood while driving; loss of power while driving; no warning light indication before failure; oil visible throughout engine
Repairs/costs cited: New engine required; dealership absorbed cost when warranty department denied claim; total cost not specified by owner but described as major
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty department initially denied claim, citing owner's oil changes as cause; claim was later paid by dealership (approx. $10,000 remaining balance) after owner provided proof of oil purchase receipts
Synthesized from 54 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was driving and all of a sudden I came to a red light and the engine went to shaking really bad and it cut off then the engine light came on it blinked a couple of time so I went to park it the next morning had it put on a machine it read cylinder 2 misfire so I took it to Chrysler dealership where they told me it just needed an software update which I clearly explained what the machine was…
When driving vehicle on highway are crowded high traffic roads the vehicle would suddenly makes a sudden jerk the check engine light comes on traction control lights comes on it losses power I could be going 50 MPH and the vehicle drops to 10 MPH and won't go faster than 30 MPH I would try to push it up to 50 but it still feel like it's going 30 MPH, the vehicle is now currently in the shop the…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2013 Chrysler 200?
It's a meaningful issue. 54 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 10,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 39,754. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.