On monday morning december 23rd approximately 4:15 am. On a rainy weather condition, I was driving on the 91 eastbound freeway going about 60 MPH, I was on the 3rd middle lane, near green river road, all of a sudden my steering wheel felt as if it locked on me, my car started to veer to the left and I couldn't break or release the steering wheel, I knew I had lost control at this point, bracing…
2015 Chrysler 300 steering problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2015 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 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2015 Chrysler 300 owners report steering wheel seizing, loss of power assist, or inability to turn—some resulting in collisions and injury. Chrysler has declined warranty assistance; budget for rack and pinion replacement ($3,700+ quoted) if this steering system fails.
Steering failures in this 2015 Chrysler 300 cluster range from progressive looseness to sudden catastrophic seizure. Owners report the steering wheel feeling loose during highway driving, then escalating to loss of power steering assist—the "power steering assist not active" warning light appearing when the system fails mid-turn. In the worst cases, the steering wheel locks solid without warning at 50–65 mph, leaving drivers unable to maneuver and resulting in collisions with highway dividers and other vehicles.
Many failures tie to the rack and pinion assembly; one dealer quoted $3,700 for replacement and another confirmed the rack was the culprit. Multiple complaints also show the ABS and ESC systems lighting up alongside steering issues, though whether these are causes or symptoms remains unclear. Owners in wet conditions or rainy weather seem overrepresented in the failure descriptions.
Chrysler's response has been inconsistent—one dealer initially offered cost assistance before manufacturer refused; others simply directed owners to dealers without diagnosis. Several owners' vehicles went undiagnosed even after multiple dealer visits. Complaint #4 resulted in a collision that gave the owner a compression fracture; complaint #2 involved a crash with no injuries.
Same Chrysler 300 steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Rack and Pinion Failure
The steering rack assembly becomes worn or damaged, causing power steering loss and inability to steer the vehicle. Owners report the steering wheel becoming loose, unable to complete turns, or the wheel seizing entirely.
When: 49,000 miles (complaint #2); approximately 32,000 miles (complaint #3); 60,000 miles (complaint #6); 75,000 miles (complaint #8); mileage unknown or variable in other complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel felt loose at highway speeds; Power steering assist not active warning illuminated; Steering wheel seized while turning; Steering wheel failed to turn in intended direction; Steering wheel very hard to turn; Grinding sound when turning
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replacement required. One owner quoted $3,700 for steering rack replacement at 25,948 miles. Multiple complaints show dealers identified the rack as the failure point.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer initially offered to assist with repair cost in one case (complaint #1) but later refused; in other cases manufacturer offered no assistance or directed owners to dealers. No recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned in narratives.
Power Steering System Electrical/Hydraulic Failure
The power steering system loses function intermittently or completely, with the power steering warning light illuminating. This can occur while driving at highway speed or when attempting maneuvers, leaving the driver unable to steer with power assist.
When: Complaint #1: unknown mileage; Complaint #2: 49,000 miles; Complaint #4: specific incident on rainy morning at 60 mph; Complaint #5: unspecified; Complaint #9: at startup while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist not active warning light; Steering wheel seized while turning; Steering wheel locked up; Loss of power steering function; Steering wheel very hard to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #2 identified electric fuel pump failure as a secondary issue. Complaint #6 identified anti-lock brake module as contributing to power steering failure. No repair costs provided for most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Limited or no manufacturer support documented. Chrysler was notified in several complaints but declined to assist with costs or diagnosis.
Steering System Intermittent Malfunction with Traction Control Integration
The steering system experiences intermittent failures often accompanied by warning lights (ABS, ESC, traction control). The vehicle may pull to one side, resist turning, or the steering may fail temporarily, particularly in wet conditions or during turns.
When: Complaint #3: approximately 32,000 miles, occurred multiple times including in rain; Complaint #5: unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel failed to turn in intended direction; Traction control warning light illuminated; Electronic stability control light illuminated; ABS light illuminated; Steering resistance or difficulty turning; Vehicle skids when making turns; Steering wheel very hard to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #3: failure not duplicated by independent mechanic, no repair completed. Complaint #5: no repair documented; owner describes limp-mode symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #3 referenced unknown recall but VIN was not associated with any recall. No manufacturer contact documented in Complaint #5.
Steering Seizure at Highway Speed
The steering wheel suddenly locks or seizes during driving at highway speeds (50–65 mph), creating an immediate loss of vehicle control. This failure has resulted in collisions and injury.
When: Complaint #2: 49,000 miles at 65 mph; Complaint #4: unspecified mileage, 60 mph in rain; Complaint #8: 75,000 miles at 50 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized without warning; Steering wheel locked; Vehicle veered uncontrollably; Unable to control steering during turn; Loss of control at highway speed
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #2: independent mechanic noted electric fuel pump failure; vehicle towed to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired. Complaint #4: vehicle involved in collision with center divider and right shoulder rail; driver suffered chest contusion and compression fracture of thoracic vertebra 7.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #2: manufacturer directed owner to take vehicle to dealer. Complaints #4 and #8: no documented manufacturer contact or response.
Synthesized from 10 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 2015 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 2015 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 25,948 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,948; a quarter make it past 75,000. 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/2015/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.