The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chrysler 300 powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Chrysler 300 have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 49,642 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 300 | 74 |
| 2013 300 | 54 |
| 2014 300 | 66 |
| 2015 300 | 23 |
| 2016 300 (this page) | 12 |
| 2017 300 | 5 |
| 2018 300 | 16 |
| 2019 300 | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Chrysler 300, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Chrysler 300 powertrain generates repeated failures affecting transmission control, shifter function, and drivetrain components. Owners report the transmission abruptly shifting into Park without warning during highway driving, creating hazardous traffic situations. The rotary shifter design has critical flaws: gears shift on their own when braking (even at 5 MPH), and parked vehicles roll backward without driver input, causing documented damage.
Reverse gear frequently fails to engage after the July 2019 recall, requiring multiple restart attempts. Dealers cannot diagnose or repair the issue across multiple service visits with no trouble codes present. Transmission hesitations, refusal to downshift, and rough shifts occur during normal driving, with some owners reporting numerous recurring problems. Driveshaft loosening, front axle disconnection, and CV boot failure also appear in narratives. One owner's transmission valve body failed twice during replacement attempts before finally holding. Dealer responses range from nonexistent repairs to dismissive advice about pedal technique. No manufacturer recall or technical service bulletin resolves the core shift and control failures owners describe.
Same Chrysler 300 powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slips into Park without warning
Transmission abruptly shifts into Park while driving at highway speed, causing sudden braking. Valve body replacement attempted multiple times but failed twice before finally working.
When: Highway driving, no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden shift to Park without driver input; Vehicle comes to screeching stop; Valve body defective after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Valve body replaced (required multiple attempts)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced valve body
Electronic Throttle Control stall at low speed
Vehicle stalls when driver simultaneously depresses brake and accelerator at low speeds. Electronic Throttle Control System warning illuminates. Failure recurs multiple times. Dealer advised driver to keep foot off accelerator rather than repairing.
When: Approximately 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls; Electronic Throttle Control System warning; Occurs only at low speeds when both pedals depressed; Recurs numerous times
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; dealer advised pedal management
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer transferred complaint to NHTSA
Reverse gear fails to engage intermittently
After July 2019 rotary shifter recall, reverse gear repeatedly fails to engage. Requires multiple attempts, turning car off and on, to achieve reverse. No check engine light or diagnostic codes present. Dealer unable to diagnose across four service visits.
When: After July 2019 recall
Symptoms owners cite: Reverse does not engage on first or multiple attempts; Requires vehicle restart to engage; Intermittent failure, sometimes several days between occurrences; No check engine light or codes
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed after four dealer visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: July 2019 recall for rotary shifter; Chrysler closed case when owner could not afford extended loaner
Gear shifter becomes inoperable, rotary dial design failure
Rotary shifter becomes unresponsive during parking maneuvers. Wait of several minutes required before shifter functions again. Gear shifter was replaced previously but failure recurred. Also reported: rotary dial shifts into Reverse on its own when driver brakes, at low speed (5 MPH), and vehicle rolls backward from Park when driver exits.
When: Approximately 130,000 miles (one report); rotary dial issue appears to occur intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter unresponsive during parking; Rotary dial shifts gears on its own when braking; Vehicle rolls backward from Park without driver input; Powertrain warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Gear shifter replaced but failure recurred; vehicle rolls backward from Park causing $3,210.05 damage (occurred twice more after repair)
Transmission hesitation and failure to downshift
Transmission refuses to downshift or respond to throttle input during turning maneuver at 15–20 MPH. Flooring accelerator for 30 seconds produces no response. Vehicle maintains constant speed, nearly causing side-swipe incident. Owner reports numerous prior issues with upshifting, downshifting, and transmission hesitations.
When: No specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission hesitates during turning; Refuses to downshift when commanded; No throttle response despite flooring accelerator; Vehicle maintains constant speed despite input; Recurring upshift and downshift issues
Rough and hard transmission shifts
Transmission produces rough shifts and popping sound during acceleration and deceleration. Gears 1 and 2 are hard to engage when taking off, with delayed engagement. Downshifting is rough with hard gear changes.
When: No specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Rough shifts with popping sound; Hard shifting 1st and 2nd gear; Delayed gear engagement; Rough downshift with hard gear changes
Driveshaft loosened
Driveshaft loosens during normal driving, creating abnormal sound. Requires replacement.
When: 49,642 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from vehicle at 65 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer required customer to pay deductible and diagnostic fee
Front axle disconnected, CV boot failure, and driveshaft damage
Front axle assembly disconnected, requiring replacement. CV boots failed. Damage is now affecting the driveshaft and carrier bearing.
When: No specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Front axle disconnected; CV boots failed; Carrier bearing and driveshaft affected
Repairs/costs cited: Front axle needs replacement; CV boots require service
Engine stalling with Electronic Transmission Control warning
Engine stalls while driving and loses power (lugging). Electronic Transmission Control warning light stays on continuously.
When: No specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls; Vehicle loses power while driving; Electronic Transmission Control warning light remains on
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, an abnormal sound was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the driveshaft had loosened. The driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to pay the deductible and diagnostic fee. The…
Electronic transmission control. Engine stalling the light is staying on and the car loses power (lugging) while driving
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 8,000 and 124,000 miles, with the median around 49,642. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 124,000. 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/2016/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.