The 2015 Chrysler 200 has generated a flood of electrical failures that leave the vehicle dangerous and unpredictable. The most frequent complaint is the engine shutting off without warning—at idle, on highways at 65 mph, in intersections, or while merging. When it happens, the check engine light, battery light, and transmission service messages all flash on; power steering vanishes; and the car often enters neutral or limp mode. Some owners say the dashboard goes completely dark, and they lose control of the steering and transmission simultaneously.
Restarting is inconsistent—sometimes the car fires back up after a few seconds, sometimes not at all. Jump-starts work temporarily but the problem returns. Owners report visiting dealers multiple times, getting software updates or PDC connector repairs, only to have the stalling recur days or weeks later.
Starting the vehicle is also unreliable. Many cars refuse to crank despite good batteries. The "key fob not detected" message shows up even when the key is in hand. Changing batteries or alternators rarely fixes it permanently.
The power distribution center (PDC) connector is implicated in multiple recalls (R24, S55), with owners reporting burnt fuse boxes and loose pins causing cascading electrical failures. A handful of owners mention burning smells from the electrical system; one vehicle caught fire in a parking lot. Battery drain is aggressive—new batteries die overnight or within hours of driving. Throughout all this, dealerships often claim they "cannot recreate the problem" and return the car unrepaired or with only temporary fixes.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts off suddenly and without warning during operation at various speeds (highway, city, intersections). Vehicle often enters limp mode, shifts to neutral unexpectedly, or refuses to restart. Dashboard warning lights (check engine, battery, transmission service, power steering unavailable) typically illuminate. Restart sometimes requires multiple attempts, key cycle resets, or jump-starts.
When: 2014–2020, ranging from days after purchase to years of ownership; occurs at speeds from 20 to 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly cuts off while driving; Vehicle enters neutral or limp mode without driver input; Check engine, battery, transmission service lights illuminate; Power steering unavailable message appears; Dashboard flickers or goes dark; Difficult or impossible to restart; may require multiple attempts or key cycles; Loss of electrical power to steering, transmission, and other systems
Codes mentioned: U0018 (Medium Speed CAN Communication Bus Short), P0894 (Transmission Component Slipping), P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed software updates/relearns and computer flashes; some replaced alternators, batteries, or body control modules. In recall cases, power distribution center (PDC) connectors and pins were tightened or replaced. Many owners report recurrence despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recalls 15V-470 (R24 – Power Distribution Center Electrical Connector) and 16V-529 (S55 – Transaxle Wiring Harness). Software updates offered; some dealers claimed 'cannot recreate issue' and returned vehicles unrepaired. Dealership service varied; some refused to cover under warranty or cited lack of parts.
Failure to start / Intermittent no-start condition
Vehicle will not crank or start, or requires extended time and multiple attempts. No obvious diagnostic codes present in some cases. Battery testing sometimes shows good condition despite starting problems. Jump-starts may work temporarily but problem recurs. Can occur after vehicle sits for hours or overnight.
When: First occurrence within days to months of purchase; recurrent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not crank or turn over; Prolonged cranking time before engine fires; No start after key cycle or push-button activation; Key fob 'not detected' warning despite key in proximity; Requires jump-start or extended waiting time to restart; Problem disappears after sitting but returns after next shutdown
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacements performed (multiple instances); alternators replaced; starter inspected; spark plugs changed; wiring harnesses replaced; body control modules replaced. Many service visits found no codes and returned vehicles unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cited dead or weak battery as cause; some offered recalls (R24, S55); recalls addressed PDC and wiring harness. Many dealers unable to diagnose due to intermittent nature.
Power distribution center (PDC) and electrical connector failure
PDC electrical connectors develop loose or spread pins/terminals, causing intermittent electrical connections to components. Results in erratic dashboard behavior, component power loss, and cascading electrical failures. Some owners report burnt fuse boxes.
When: Reported across model years 2014–2017; can occur within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate simultaneously; Intermittent loss of power to various electrical systems; Gear shift indicator locks or flickers; Emergency brake engages involuntarily or refuses to release; Fuse box shows burn marks or charring; Multiple electrical systems fail in sequence
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: PDC connector pins tightened or connector replaced; fuse boxes replaced; wiring harnesses inspected and replaced in some cases. Cost of replacement parts and labor not consistently reported by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 15V-470 (Campaign R24) issued specifically for PDC spread electrical terminals. Recall notice advised spread terminals could cause intermittent electrical connections, engine stall, or shift-to-neutral event. Some owners reported recall 'completed' on records but defect recurred.
Transmission slipping to neutral or refusing to shift
Transmission slips into neutral unexpectedly during driving or refuses to engage drive/reverse. Gear shift knob locks and cannot be moved. Vehicle displays 'shift to park' or transmission service messages. May be accompanied by complete electrical shutdown.
When: Reported throughout 2014–2017 model years; some within days of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to neutral without driver input; Gear shift selector locks and will not move; Transmission service message displayed on dashboard; Vehicle unable to accelerate despite throttle input; Emergency brake engages when transmission loses power; Check engine and transmission lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: P0894 (Transmission Component Slipping), U0018 (CAN bus short)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed transmission control module resets, software updates, and transmission valve body replacements. One owner received entire new transmission; slipping recurred 6,000 miles later. Many service visits ended with 'cannot recreate' verdict.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S55 (16V-529) addressed transaxle wiring harness. Extended warranty coverage disputed; dealers claimed manufacturing defect as non-warranty issue. Transmissions often not covered under powertrain warranty once owner-reported.
Dashboard flickering and complete electrical system shutdown
Dashboard displays flicker, dim, or go completely dark while driving. Accompanied by loss of all electrical power—steering, transmission response, brake assist, and door locks. Vehicle becomes immobilized.
When: Reported 2014–2020; can occur multiple times per trip or intermittently over months
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flicker on and off; Screen goes black for seconds to minutes; Complete loss of electrical power while driving; Power steering fails during flicker event; Climate control or radio settings reset after shutdown; Inability to shift gears or apply brakes normally
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Body control modules replaced; electrical connectors re-seated or replaced; software updates performed. Some owners reported multiple replacements with recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attributed to PDC failures (covered under Recall R24 in some cases). Many repairs did not resolve the problem.
Airbag warning light and passenger seat wiring faults
Airbag service light illuminates on dashboard and remains on despite repair attempts. Dealerships cite loose or damaged passenger seat wiring underneath seat. Repeated repairs (up to 3–4 times) fail to resolve the warning.
When: Reported 2014–2017; typically appears within 3–6 months of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates and does not turn off; Warning persists despite wiring repair; No actual airbag deployment issues reported in complaints (though recall history on file)
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger seat connectors repeatedly disconnected and reconnected or replaced. Owners cite $500 out-of-pocket per repair in some cases. Light often returns within weeks to months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claimed wiring kicked loose under seat; extended warranty declined coverage claiming not a defect. No manufacturer response documented in complaints.
Brake and accelerator pedal issues
Brakes fail to disengage or lock up; accelerator unresponsive or vehicle surges at high speed in reverse without driver input. Brake pedal does not depress, or brake and gas pedal codes show both being pressed simultaneously.
When: Reported within first months of ownership; some incidents after recall work
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal will not depress or becomes stuck; Brakes lock up in wet conditions; Vehicle surges backward or forward without throttle input; Brake pedal sticks and will not release; Service parking brake or transmission messages accompany pedal issues
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Brake switches replaced; brake fluid checked; electronic throttle control serviced. One owner reported code indicating both brake and gas pedal depressed simultaneously.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers replaced brake switches; issue recurred in at least one documented case. Manufacturer involvement not clearly documented.
Battery draining and electrical short-circuit (fire risk)
Battery drains rapidly despite overnight charging or new battery installation. One owner reports vehicle fire in parking lot, with witnesses observing sparks before explosion. Burnt fuse boxes and crackling batteries documented.
When: Reported 2014–2020; drain can be noticed overnight or within hours of shutdown
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely drained after short parking period; New battery fails to hold charge or fails bench test after short use; Burning smell from electrical components (especially passenger door area); Visible sparks before vehicle fire; Fuse box shows scorch marks or melting
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacements (often multiple times per owner); electrical harnesses inspected; PDC and fuse boxes replaced. One owner's vehicle caught fire; fire department and police investigated, concluding electrical cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific recall for electrical fires documented in complaints. Dealers offered battery replacements but not systematic electrical inspection.
Synthesized from 531 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.