When shopping for a used or new car, you probably have a lot of must-haves on your checklist. Things like tech, comfort, and fuel efficiency are all important, but perhaps the most essential quality that you should be looking for in any car is reliability. Knowing that your vehicle will start up and run every time you get behind the wheel and won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road can give you fantastic peace of mind. With a reliable vehicle, you can have the confidence you need that you will always be able to get where you are going.
The Chrysler 200 was a midsize sedan that was produced from 2011 to 2017. It was essentially a redesigned Chrysler Sebring that was meant to appeal to the needs of more modern drivers with practicality and efficiency. Available with either a 2.4-liter inline-four engine or a 3.6-liter V6, it had a relatively high power output for a family sedan, and it could be a lot of fun to drive. It also had its share of common problems, and if you are thinking of purchasing one, it is important to know what they are and what caused them. With a good understanding of the Chrysler 200’s reliability and common issues, you can make the right decision for yourself and your driving needs.
How Reliable is the Chrysler 200?
For the most part, Chrysler has long been known for producing practical, relatively dependable cars that families could count on. The Chrysler 200 was a good example of this, and even though it had some common issues and was discontinued after only six model years, it had fairly good reliability ratings. RepairPal ranks the Chrysler 200 12th out of 24 midsize vehicles and gives it a 4.0 out of 5 rating on the reliability scale. Chrysler 200 owners also had to bring their cars into the shop 0.3 times a year compared to the average of 0.4 times, and there was only a 12-percent chance that the issue would be severe when they did. This means that despite its short production time and common issues, the 200 was and is a fairly reliable vehicle.
Common Chrysler 200 Problems
Even though it has a fairly good reliability rating, there are still some common issues that the Chrysler 200 is susceptible to. Some of them have been the subject of recalls, while others have simply been problems that many Chrysler 200 owners have dealt with. Knowing what some of these issues are can help you keep an eye out for them and get them repaired as soon as possible.
Transmission Problems
The Chrysler 200 was known for having fairly serious problems with its nine-speed transmission. The transmission tended to have an incredibly rough shifting action, which would cause the vehicle to lurch when changing gears, and in some cases, it would even pop into neutral while the car was at speed. Many of the 200’s nine-speed transmissions also had a faulty wiring harness that caused total transmission failure at relatively low mileage. This problem was so common that Chrysler offered an extended warranty to owners that covered the gearbox after it was the subject of several lawsuits.
Stalling
All of the model years of the Chrysler 200 were known for having stalling problems without any warning. The engine would completely turn off while driving, and it was particularly common when downshifting at lower speeds. Drivers would not be able to get the engine turned back on after this would happen, which would lead to serious problems on the road. After an investigation, it was found that the problem was related to an issue with the software in the Power Control Module. Chrysler released an update that solved the issue but only for the V6 engine, so if you are thinking of buying a 200, it is best to avoid the inline-four version.
Electrical Failures
The Chrysler 200 was equipped with a Totally Integrated Power Module, also called a TIPM. While this module was designed to make the electrical system simpler, it ended up causing all sorts of electrical issues. These issues ranged from simple, such as the horn going off randomly, to very serious, like unexpected airbag deployment and fuel pump failure. There were many recalls related to the TIPM, and it is speculated that it is one of the reasons why the Chrysler 200 was discontinued.
Active Head Restraint Deployment
The Chrysler 200 came with a safety feature called the Active Head Restraint, which was designed to prevent whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. The issue with it, though, was that the restraints were held with a low-quality piece of plastic. After a few years, this piece of plastic would usually break, causing the restraints to deploy randomly. This was a serious problem and even caused a few concussions, so it is best to check and see if the restraints have been deployed already if you are thinking of buying a used 200.
Excessive Oil Consumption
On top of the PCM problems that did not get fixed with the Chrysler 200 inline-four version, it was also prone to excessive oil consumption. The combustion chamber of this engine had faulty control rings and they allowed oil to get through and leak, which pulled oil from the pan. Because of this issue, these engines have been known to consume a quart of oil every 1,000 miles, which is very high above what is normal. If you purchase one of these cars, be sure to check the oil level regularly so you don’t end up with friction problems like seizing or warping.
Keep Your Chrysler 200 Running With an Extended Warranty
The Chrysler 200 may have only been in production for six years, but for the most part, it was known as a fairly reliable car with quite a bit to offer. Despite its issues, buying a used 200 could be a decent choice if you can get a good price for it. Knowing what problems you can expect can be a big help and can allow you to be ready if something goes wrong.
If you want to protect your 200 even more, an extended warranty is a great way to get the coverage you need. This is especially true if you know that some issues are going to crop up eventually. There are all kinds of extended warranties available with different levels of coverage, and choosing the right one can help protect you from mechanical problems and breakdowns. Explore our extended warranty provider reviews and buying guide to find out which extended warranty will work best for you and your vehicle.
