What are the most common problems when it comes to the Chrysler 200 in all generations of the model? This blog below will discuss and outline the most common issues and things to look out for. If you are looking at buying yourself a Chrysler 200, this article will help you make an informed purchase.
The Chrysler 200 suffers from multiple electrical issues, such as intermittent power loss, melting wires, and a problem deactivating the cruise control function. The head restraints have been known to fail while airbags do not deploy properly. Additionally, the transmission for the automatic gearboxes often fails to shift into the park gear.
The problems of the Chrysler 200 can not be described in a few words; there are at least eight common issues you need to look out for. In the article below, we will discuss all the main problems that affect all the year models of the Chrysler 200.
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1. Engine Failure and Low Oil Pressure
In the 2013 model of the Chrysler 200, there were many reports of the car just randomly shutting down or stalling on its own. The problem with this happening while the car is driving is that it may cause a crash or serious injury.
A recall was issued under the following number: 13V552000. The car kept stalling because there was debris in the balance shaft bearings, which resulted in a loss of engine oil pressure. When there is no engine oil pressure, the car will stall or generate a total engine failure. Chrysler replaced the engine balance shaft module to fix this problem. The recall began in December 2013, and the number of cars affected was about 521.
The 2013 Chrysler 200 was also plagued with 87-octane fuel leakage problems caused by a broken control valve, The recall number: 13V0430000 affected around 1,785 vehicles. The issue caused by the broken valve would cause the engine to stall. It also may have led to the car being set on fire because, in the presence of an easy ignition source, the fuel could easily catch alight.
The 2012 model had an issue with rod bearings failing. The connecting conrods could fail from debris from the engine block. The issue was found in the 3.6l engine manufactured between August 31, 2011, to September 13, 2011. The recall number: 11V4870000 was issued for around 667 affected cars. Dealerships replaced the affected engines free of charge.
2. Faulty Electrical Systems
The 2015 to 2017 models of the Chrysler 200, four-door all-wheel drive, were recalled because there were reports that drivers could not cancel the cruise control function. The issue was caused by a pesky short circuit in the wiring, causing the cruise control not to be able to be turned off either by pressing the brake pedal or manually turning off the system.
If the cruise control can not be disengaged, this may have led to severe injury as the car could not slow down or come to a safe stop. The recall number 18V332000 could affect up to a staggering 4,8 million vehicles.
Owners of the 2015 Chrysler 200 should be wary of a loss of power to electrical components caused by an intermittent connection between the C4 connector and PDC (Power distribution center). This fault can be found in cars built between January 7, 2014, to September 23, 2014.
The Recall Code: 15V470000 was issued to a whopping 77,971 vehicles. The dealerships replaced the C4 connector with a 12-wire split kit for the 3.6l engine and used a replacement transmission harness for the 2.4l engine. The recall was issued on October 21, 2015.
The 2015 Chrysler 200 also suffers from the driver’s door wire gauge being too small, meaning the wire is too small and heats up from too much electricity running through it. Ultimately melting the wires. This issue was a hazard as it could lead to a fire caused by the overheating of the wire. With only eight cars potentially affected by this fault, the NHTSA Recall Code is 14V480000.
The recall began on October 3, 2014. The dealership would replace the door wiring harness for free on all affected cars.
3. Transmission Faults
On top of all the other problems, the Chrysler 200 also battles with problems regarding the transmission.
The transmission on the 2015 Chrysler 200 had an issue where the automatic gearbox selector would unexpectedly go into neutral while the car was in gear while being driven. This is a hazardous problem and puts the driver at risk of a crash.
The problem only affected vehicles that were fitted with the nine-speed automatic gearbox. The transmission sensor cluster wires may not have had enough crimps in the harness, and the result was that the transmission would shift into neutral.
Chrysler notified the owners who had the issue, and the dealers reprogrammed the Power Control Module and the Transmission control module free of charge. The problem plagued around 329,540 vehicles, and there was a recall Code:16V529000 issued on November 7, 2016, for these vehicles.
Chrysler recalled around 21,466 vehicles, including the 2015 Chrysler 200, because the automatic gearbox was not shifting into the park gear. The recall code: 15V090000 was issued on April 9, 2015. Certain Chrysler 200s manufactured between March 9, 2014, and December 15, 2014, with the nine-speed automatic transmission installed, were affected by this issue.
More precisely, the issue was that the park rod used to engage the park gear would either get contaminated, broken, or dislodged, meaning that the transmission would be prevented from shifting into the park gear. Dealerships would inspect the transmissions of suspected vehicles, and if there were a fault, the rod that was either contaminated or broken would be replaced for free.
4. Defective Airbags
As airbags are an essential safety feature in cars, having a car without adequately working airbags can be very troublesome, one that the Chrysler 200 is no stranger to.
One of the problems that many Chrysler 200 owners have reported is that the head-restrainer is not activating as it should be. This has been reported in the models from the years 2011 through 2014. NHTSA recall number: 13V282000 was issued due to this issue.
According to NHTSA, at least 442,320 cars were affected by this problem. One of the reasons there is a problem with the Chrysler 200 is that these head restraints were made from plastic, which over time, can become damaged and will not deploy on collision.
Chrysler advised that they would replace the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) free of charge for all affected users.
The 2011 – 2014 models have also had problems with the airbags and seat belt pre-tensioner being disabled. The pre-tensioners are found inside the frontal and side airbags of the car. If these do not work, there is an increased risk of injury while driving.
For example, the airbag may not deploy in the event that that car has crashed. The NHTSA recall number was 16V668000. This problem was due to a short circuit in the Occupant Restraint Control (OCR). A potential 1,435,625 cars were affected by this issue.
The recall began on August 15, 2017, and Chrysler announced that it would replace the OCR of all affected cars.
5. Loose Fastener Joints in Steering Column
Chrysler owners of the 2011 model of the Chrysler 200 had reported issues regarding the car’s steering column. Many drivers had said that they heard strange popping noises when driving at slow speeds and when turning the wheel. This was a good sign that there was a problem with the steering column.
Chrysler reviewed this, and a recall number 11V315000 was issued due to an incorrectly installed rivet. This meant that the steering column was weakened and could no longer support the frontal load of the car, which can be dangerous in the event of a front-on collision. This issue affected around 11,096 cars. Chrysler had ordered dealers to inspect affected cars free of charge to check if the rivets were installed correctly and the wheel alignment was correct.
Another issue the 2016 Chrysler 200 models had was the steering and handling capability. A recall was issued by the NHTSA 16V589000 because of chassis fastener joints that were not properly torqued. This led to many of the joints loosening and falling out, which increased the risk of crashing and injury.
Chrysler and their dealers had offered to check and tighten all fastening joints of affected cars free of charge, and it is estimated that at least 192 cars were affected by this issue. The recall for this problem began on September 2, 2016.
6. Excessive Oil Consumption
The 2015 to 2016 models of the Chrysler 200 with a 2.4l engine have been reported to use excessive amounts of oil. Many owners complained that the car consumes a quart of oil every 1,000 miles, an exceedingly high amount of oil.
According to reports, these engines were burning oil as the piston rings inside the engine block were incompatible with the cylinder walls. As a result of the vehicles’ piston rings not being compatible, the oil would burn faster as the engine is running because oil would leak into the combustion chamber and end up being burnt during the combustion phase.
The problem with oil being burnt out at this rate is that this can result in the car shutting off without any warning or without any warning lights on the dashboard. Have a look below to learn a few of the signs your Chrysler 200 is burning oil.
Signs that your car is burning oil
- The oil level in your car is running low at a faster rate.
- There is blue smoke from your tailpipe.
- There is a hot, burning smell when you start the car.
7. Failing Heater Core
Another common issue with the Chrysler 200 is the heater core failing. It is typical for the passenger side of the car heating system to break.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 received many complaints about how the heating in the car was not working. The issue was often caused by the coolant clogging up the piping or heater core. Luckily this is an easy fix that car owners can do themselves.
Check out the handy YouTube video below on how to fix the heater core. The common and easy fix for this issue is to flush the system by using a garden hose while applying pressure to the system to unblock the pipes.
8. Faulty Ignition Coils
The 2015 Chrysler 200 often suffers from bad ignition coils. The common symptoms of this problem were that the engine would lose power, the car’s acceleration would feel slow, and the car would take longer to reach the speed you want. The car would also have a rough idle shudder roughly. You can replace the ignition coils yourself following this video.
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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