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 ↗2013 Chrysler 300 lighting problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
When does it fail?
Of the 13 lighting complaints filed for the 2013 Chrysler 300, 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
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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.
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 ↗Headlamp Condensation and Fogging This bulletin involves installing updated vent caps on the headlamp assembly. Customers may experience the following:One or both of the vehicle?s headlamp assemblies are fogged with a light layer of condensation on the inside of the lenses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗High Beams Are Inop, Shutter Door On High Beams Open And Then Close In Cold Ambient Temperatures. DTC B1632-11 And B1636-11 Set
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗High Beams Are Inop, Shutter Door On High Beams Open And Then Close In Cold Ambient Temperatures. DTC B1632-11 And B1636-11 Set
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe dangerously inadequate headlight output on 2012–2013 Chrysler 300s. Low beams illuminate only 10–20 feet ahead, with visibility collapsing on downhill grades and road dips—a "tunnel" or "shutter" effect that leaves drivers effectively blind beyond the immediate hood. Side illumination is minimal, making turns on unlit streets hazardous; owners report almost hitting parked cars and nearly leaving the roadway on initial night drives. High beams add little value and sometimes shine above the road into trees. Dealership attempts to re-aim headlights to upper limits provide no meaningful improvement; one technician stated the system is computer-controlled and non-adjustable from the factory. Chrysler's design team acknowledged in writing (June 2013) that there is a "factory defective flaw" in the headlight design but declined to recall, citing insufficient complaints from luxury-car owners—implying low rural-road usage. One separate complaint reports complete taillight and brake-light failure with no identified cause. A final complaint references engine shutdown while driving and a prior alternator recall (P60), though diagnostic details are sparse.
Same Chrysler 300 lighting reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Inadequate low-beam illumination distance and visibility
Owners report dangerously low-output low beams that illuminate only 10–20 feet ahead, with severe loss of visibility on downhill grades and in road dips. Multiple owners describe a 'tunnel' or 'shutter' effect with almost no side illumination.
When: Present on first night drives; persists across model years 2012–2013
Symptoms owners cite: Low beams illuminate only 10–20 feet in front of vehicle; Severe reduction in visibility on downhill sections and road dips; 'Tunnel' or 'shutter' effect reported by multiple owners; Minimal to non-existent side illumination on turns and side roads; Difficulty seeing curbs and parked cars on unlit streets
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted headlight aiming adjustments to upper limits; owners report no improvement or marginal gains. One dealership stated headlights are computer-controlled and non-adjustable. Changing bulbs was investigated by at least one owner but no resolution reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler design team acknowledged a definite factory-design defect in headlight system (case # assigned per complaint #1). No recall issued as of complaint dates. One dealership claimed insufficient complaints from luxury vehicles (low volume on rural roads) to justify action.
High-beam misalignment or inadequate effectiveness
High beams provide insufficient additional light over low beams; some owners report high beams shine into treetops rather than illuminating the road ahead.
When: Evident during initial night drives; consistent across 2013 model year
Symptoms owners cite: High beams add little illumination to already-weak low beams; High beams shine above road surface into trees; Owners unable to drive safely at interstate speeds (over 40 mph) without overdrive hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership adjusted headlights to upper limits; high-beam elevation then became excessive (shining into trees). No further adjustments available.
Complete taillight and brake-light failure
Taillights, brake lights, and turn signals stopped functioning entirely on at least one vehicle. Dealership could not identify root cause.
When: Occurred after purchase; timing not specified in complaint #11
Symptoms owners cite: Taillights completely non-functional; Brake lights non-functional; Turn signals non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose failure. Complaint notes several units have experienced this failure.
Engine shutdown while driving (possible alternator-related)
Vehicle completely shut down and died while being driven. Complaint references a prior recall (P60) related to alternator issues, though the vehicle was purchased in 2022 well after a 2014 recall was allegedly performed.
When: Recent occurrence; vehicle purchased 2022 but recall reportedly fixed 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown and complete vehicle shutdown while driving; Vehicle completely dies mid-drive
Codes mentioned: P60 (referenced as alternator recall code)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued (2014, case reference unclear); vehicle purchased after 2022 but recall fix status unclear.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The headlights on this model are the worst I have ever seen. Forward vision is severely limited and side vision is practically non-existent. The only incident I have had so far is impact with a raccoon that damaged the front fascia but the raccoon could just as easily have been a person or larger animal. Chrysler needs to address this issue promptly before there is a fatal accident. *tr
The lighting on this car is unbelievably bad. When I purchased the car, I drove it home at night, and almost put it in a ditch twice, due to substandard lighting. Even with the high beams on, it was difficult to see the road. I took it to the dealership the next day and they adjusted the headlights to the upper limits. I can now see better with the low beams, but the high beams shine into the…
The headlight brightness on the 300 model are just terrible. I took it back to the dealership to try to adjust the lights. The dealer told me that these lights are not adjustable and this is how they came from the factory. I explained to them at night I drive with the high beams on and no other cars flash their lights. The low beams do not light up the road even with the fog lamps on. The…
Had lighting trouble with your 2013 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 lighting problem on the 2013 Chrysler 300?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 3,000 and 40,000 miles, with the median around 22,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 40,000. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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/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.