Most Common Chrysler 300 Front Suspension Problems – With a 3.6L engine and a luxury interior, the Chrysler 300 is one of the most powerful and comfortable full-size sedans. Besides its elegance and spacious cabin, the Chrysler 300 is known to provide decent gas mileage and overall reliability.
However, we are yet to come across a car that can be considered flawless so far. The Chrysler 300 does have its fair share of problems.
Today, we will focus on this model’s front suspension issues. As you all know, the front suspension of a car is quite critical.
Therefore, you must familiarize yourself with any front suspension problems associated with the Chrysler 300.
Most Common Chrysler 300 Front Suspension Problems
1. A Noisy Suspension
One of the most frequently reported issues with the Chrysler 300 is a noisy suspension. This issue mainly affects Chryslers that have passed 50k miles on the ODO.
It’s not just with the Chrysler model, but all cars experience a noisy suspension at one point in their lifetime. A noisy suspension occurs due to one main reason – wear and tear.
There are certain parts in your front suspension, such as the ball joints and shock absorbers which experience a lot of movement and friction. This results in wear.
To deal with a noisy front suspension on your Chrysler, you must identify where the noise is coming from and replace the affected part.
Many Chrysler owners who have experienced clunking sounds in the front suspension were able to stop this issue after replacing the mentioned parts.
An expert mechanic can diagnose which component within your front suspension is faulty. It could be the sway bar end links or bushings causing the clunking sounds.
It’s also crucial to inspect the control arm. Many mechanics and Chrysler owners overlook the wear that control arms experience.
When dealing with a clunky or rattling Chrysler 300 front suspension, you should attempt to find out where the noise is coming from. That will come in handy in figuring out the source of the rattling.
You should also know that as much clunking and rattling of the front suspension starts later on. It could also kick in within the first 20k miles. Some of these things depend on your driving habits.
These noises can occur because of different causes. For instance, you may hear the noise when you go over a bump or turn the steering wheel.
2. A Weak Suspension
Noises coming from the front suspension are undeniable the most common problem with Chryslers. However, there is another issue that many owners have complained about, and that’s related to Chrysler’s weak suspension which is manifested by feeling every bump.
Feeling bumps may seem counterintuitive because you are supposed to. However, your vehicle’s suspension is designed to absorb the bounce caused by bumps. You should feel them, but they shouldn’t interfere with your ride comfort.
A faulty front suspension should give you a different feeling whenever you cross a bump. Your struts should make a knocking sound when that happens. That’s another sign to show you that the front suspension is faulty.
A quick test that can help you diagnose this problem is pushing your weight on the bonnet. If your car bounces several times, the front struts need to be replaced.
3. The Chrysler Pulling to One Side When Driving
Wheel alignment is crucial for ensuring your Chrysler’s suspension is working smoothly. When your car starts to pull on one side, the biggest culprit is usually poor wheel alignment. That can be restored at a nearby service center.
However, if the wheels are correctly aligned, and the Chrysler keeps pulling to the side, the front suspension could need a professional diagnosis. It could be a problem with the control arms, ball joints, and shock absorbers in most cases.
These three are the most common Chrysler 300 front suspension problems. There are other problems, but they aren’t as rampant. A noisy front suspension is the most commonly reported issue out of the three.
When buying a Chrysler 300, you need always to keep your ears open as that will ensure you handle these problems before they spiral out of control.
Is Chrysler to Blame for these Front Suspension Problems?
Several complaints have been made to Chrysler for the above front suspension problems. However, we have yet to hear of a mass recall regarding the front suspension. That means that Chrysler has never accepted liability for front suspension issues. Who is to blame?
Unlike other accessories and car components, the front suspension is a very tricky part.
Even though there may be an issue with a car’s suspension directly from the manufacturer, such an issue should be spotted within the first few weeks. And that would beckon the owner to return the vehicle and make a claim.
However, as you can see, most of these front suspension problems occur after a while. Whether it’s the noise or excessive bounciness of the front suspension, these problems mainly occur after 15k to 20k miles.
There is a big chance that the environment the Chrysler was exposed to is to blame for such issues. Not unless you find a specific component in your front suspension damaged and the car is entirely new, you are probably experiencing the usual wear and tear.
Which is typical to all vehicles, not just Chrysler. The bottom line is that these issues occur independently and can be avoided by regular servicing of the car’s suspension.
Are Chrysler 300 Front Suspension Problems Common in New or Used Cars?
Rarely will you come across a new Chrysler with front suspension issues. They are more rampant in used cars. If you are in the market searching for a second-hand Chrysler 300, you are most likely to face these issues.
Front suspension problems on a Chrysler are easy to fix. Yes, they may use up some money, but they are fixable. If you want to avoid such issues, you are better off buying a new Chrysler.
Signs Your Chrysler Front Suspension Needs Attention
Since we are looking at Chrysler 300 front suspension problems, it would be unfair to our readers if we don’t share the warning signs of a faulty suspension.
• A rough ride
If your Chrysler is annoyingly bumpy to the point that it’s uncomfortable, you need to check the condition of the suspension.
• Nose dives when brakes are applied
In case your car dives forward when you press the brakes, then that’s a sign that your shocks need to be replaced. S
• Oily shocks
This is a professional tip that most Chrysler 300 owners aren’t usually aware of. The presence of oily shocks is often an indication of a leak. That also ought to be fixed.
• Uneven tire treads
Another indication of a faulty front suspension is uneven tire treads. That shows the transmission isn’t holding the vehicle in the required position.
Familiarizing yourself with these signs will help you identify any Chrysler 300 front suspension problem early in advance.
And the sooner you find out your front suspension is acting up, the quicker you will fix it, and the safer your vehicle will be.
Suspension issues are life-threatening problems because should the suspension malfunction on a highway or when driving at high speeds, that could put you and other motorists in danger.
How Soon Can One Expect to Experience Chrysler 300 Front Suspension Problems?
Front suspension issues on a Chrysler can emerge somewhere between 50k and 70k miles. This depends on the road conditions and driving habits.
There is a huge chance that the suspension issues mentioned above will occur much sooner in cars owned by rough drivers. If you want the front suspension to continue performing optimally, you should handle your car with care.
At the same time, you need to accord Chrysler the care it deserves. This is a luxury car and shouldn’t be exposed to terrible driving conditions.
What to Do When Experiencing Chrysler 300 Front Suspension Problems?
If you suspect that the front suspension of your Chrysler is misbehaving, there are a few steps you can take. First, you should avoid driving the car when it’s in such a condition. Secondly, you need to test and see if the front suspension is the culprit.
Diagnosing a faulty suspension is pretty easy. You have to perform the bounce test and see how the Chrysler responds. If it keeps on bouncing, then the suspension is faulty.
Also, as you drive around, you can confirm if your suspension is malfunctioning by listening to rattling noises and evaluating the ride comfort.
Even if you are not an expert mechanic, it shouldn’t be hard to figure out that the front suspension is terrible.
Finally, when you figure out that the suspension isn’t okay, you need to take the car to a professional mechanic for an expert diagnosis. The front suspension is a bit tricky for the average car owner.
You could think that the bushes are the source of your woes, only to find that it’s the control arm or struts. To avoid guesswork and waste of money, take the car to an expert mechanic.
They will check what’s wrong and recommend which part should be replaced. At times, you may have to replace more than one part in your Chrysler 300 front suspension for you to fix the underlying issue.