2007 Chrysler 300 Problems: 5 Known Issues

On the 2005-2023 Chrysler 300 5.7L HEMI V8, the 5.7L HEMI is notorious for exhaust manifold bolts breaking, especially on the passenger side. Thermal cycling causes bolts to become brittle and snap. Creates a ticking noise at cold startup that partially diminishes as engine warms but never fully goes away. Broken bolts can be extremely difficult to extract if snapped flush with the cylinder head.

On the 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, first-generation Chrysler 300 models suffer from extremely rapid front suspension wear including tension struts (radius arms), inner and outer tie rods, lower control arm bushings, and sway bar end links. Bushings typically worn by 45,000-60,000 miles. This is a known endemic problem across all LX-platform vehicles (300, Charger, Magnum, Challenger).

On the 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, a small plastic clip in the shifter mechanism breaks, causing the vehicle to become stuck in Park. Known design flaw in the first-generation LX platform vehicles. The clip is inexpensive but causes a completely disabled vehicle when it fails. Emergency brake override button near shifter can bypass the issue temporarily.

On the 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, the dashboard pad on first-generation Chrysler 300 models warps and sinks, particularly near the driver's side defroster vent. The material deteriorates from UV exposure and heat cycling, becoming sticky or tacky in hot climates. Chrysler refused to address under warranty, stating it meets commercial standards.

On the 2005-2023 Chrysler 300, the Chrysler 300 uses Chrysler's proprietary natural-vacuum leak detection hardware instead of a conventional pressure-based leak detection pump. On 2005-2006 cars this is the NVLD (Natural Vacuum Leak Detection) valve/solenoid; from 2007 onward it is the ESIM (Evaporative System Integrity Monitor), a small spring-and-diaphragm switch mounted on or next to the charcoal/vapor canister on the left underbody ahead of the fuel tank. Both work the same way: as the sealed EVAP system heats and cools, natural pressure/vacuum changes trip an internal switch the PCM reads to confirm the system is sealed. The diaphragm seal inside the NVLD/ESIM is a well-documented high-failure item — it stiffens, sticks, or loses its seal with age, so the PCM can no longer verify integrity and falsely reports a leak. The result is a check-engine light with P0456 (small leak, ~0.020 in.), P0455 (large leak), or P0457 (interpreted as loose/missing cap), even when the fuel system is actually sealed. Because the code wording points at the gas cap, this is very commonly misdiagnosed: owners and shops replace the cap (and often the purge valve and canister) repeatedly before discovering the NVLD/ESIM itself is the culprit. One 2012 300 SRT owner reported eight dealer visits — the ESIM and its seal replaced twice, plus a new filler neck, purge valve, and charcoal canister — before the leak code was resolved. The fault is an emissions/MIL issue only: it does not affect drivability or engine longevity, but it will fail an emissions/smog inspection and on some model years can disable remote start until cleared. A faint fuel-vapor smell is occasionally reported when an actual leak is present.