The tie rod completely gave away on this car while I was just driving along the highway. *tr
2014 Chrysler 300 steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2014 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2014 Chrysler 300 steering systems show recurring power assist failures, intermittent steering lockup, and mechanical breakdowns (rack-and-pinion, tie rod) that can leave you without control at highway speeds. Poor service design for power steering fluid access may contribute to inadequate maintenance and early pump failures.
The 2014 Chrysler 300 has a pattern of serious steering failures across multiple subsystems. Power steering pump failure is the most common complaint—owners report intermittent loss of assist, hard steering, and warning lights at 50,000 and 114,000 miles. Dealerships replace pumps, but at least one owner's failure recurred, pointing to a power steering module problem instead.
Mechanical steering failures also occur: one owner's rack and pinion assembly failed around mid-2016, and another experienced complete tie rod separation while highway driving. Steering wheel lockup is reported intermittently, especially during braking, even at high mileage.
A design flaw complicates maintenance: the power steering reservoir and pump sit behind the passenger tire, requiring fenderwell removal for routine fluid checks. One owner questions whether dealerships actually perform these checks or skip them due to labor burden, leading to inadequate fluid service and premature pump wear.
The steering wheel leather wrap degrades prematurely—visible cracking under 30,000 miles—and FCA has acknowledged the defect to owners but refuses to remedy it. Some complaints also mention unrelated electrical gremlins (wipers activating, transmission shifting, lights cycling) coinciding with steering issues, suggesting potential electrical module interactions during certain failures.
Same Chrysler 300 steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Rack and pinion steering failure
Complete loss of steering function from rack and pinion assembly failure. One owner reported rack and pinion 'gave out' around mid-2016; another owner experienced tie rod complete failure while driving on highway.
When: Mid-2016 (first complaint); highway driving (second complaint, mileage not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel becomes difficult to turn; tie rod completely separates; loss of steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails intermittently or completely, causing loss of power assist and hard steering. Multiple owners report dealership diagnosed and replaced pumps, though in at least one case the failure recurred after replacement.
When: 50,000 miles; 114,000 miles (recurring)
Symptoms owners cite: power steering assist warning light illuminated; steering wheel difficult to turn; hard steering requiring excessive force; intermittent power assist loss while turning; loss of power steering assist after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement; one owner reported pump replaced but failure recurred requiring power steering module diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners reference NHTSA Campaign 17V435000 (Electrical System)
Power steering module malfunction
Electronic control module governing power steering fails, causing loss of assist. Diagnosed at independent shop after pump replacement failed to resolve symptoms.
When: 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loss of power steering assist after vehicle restart; power assist loss recurring after pump replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic advised dealer repair needed; vehicle not repaired
Steering wheel leather wrap deterioration
Leather covering the steering wheel cracks and disintegrates prematurely. Owner reports material defect visible under 30,000 miles. FCA representative acknowledged the issue occurs across multiple vehicles but refused to provide remedy.
When: Less than 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: leather cracking and disintegrating; material breakdown of steering wheel wrap
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA acknowledged issue to consumer but refused remedy
Steering wheel locking
Steering wheel locks intermittently during normal driving, particularly when depressing brake pedal. Power steering assist warning light illuminates during failure. Intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult.
When: 185,202 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel locks while driving; power steering assist warning light illuminates; locking occurs intermittently when braking; locking occurs at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed power steering failure; vehicle not repaired
Inaccessible power steering fluid service location
Power steering reservoir and pump location requires removal of passenger side tire and fenderwell cover for routine fluid checks. Design creates service access problem where dealerships may not actually perform required maintenance due to labor requirements, leading to inadequate fluid service and premature pump failures.
When: Throughout ownership (routine service intervals)
Symptoms owners cite: noise in steering system; stiff steering despite claimed fluid service; difficulty accessing reservoir for inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Labor-intensive access requires tire and fenderwell removal for routine maintenance
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 steering problem on the 2014 Chrysler 300?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 29,000 and 114,000 miles, with the median around 84,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 114,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2014/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.