To preface... Chrysler states this transmission is "sealed for life", that changing the fluid is not required or advised. This is COMPLETELY false. Every 50,000 miles. As long as you run out of warranty, that's ALL they care about. Longevity is not their concern. Ontop of that, NOBODY will touch ZF transmissions. They're too complex/high tolerance. Chrysler dealers are only allowed to touch a handful of parts. Standard procedure: Replace.
On 7/8/22 the ZF transmission gave out on my way to work at 101K miles. I purchased this car in 2016 with 31K miles, Chrysler Certified, etc.
Going back to 2017 and onwards, I noticed there was a very rare shutter in the drivetrain. Never thought much of it - I wasn't familiar with an 8 speed.
In 2018, driving during mid-day, my transmission shuttered. Car went into a sort of limp mode. Flashing check engine light. Transmission lost almost all power to the wheels and seemed as if it was slipping. Restarting the car 3 times got it moving. Immediately went to the Chrysler dealer 2 minutes away.
It was common practice for the main service guy to casually plug in their scanner. Not this time- I was told they "Never have issues with these transmissions". "Just drive it". I had dealt with these individuals before and this response was very uncharacteristic of them. I got shrugged off. Eventually, the car went back to normal. The rare shutters continued.
7/7/22, on my way home from work. Getting on the on ramp to the interstate. It's a short ramp - I pin it. The car shifts to 1st, approaching redline. Then it goes past redline - it fails to shift. HUGE shutter in the drivetrain. I was convinced something violently broke. I pull over at the end of the on ramp, crawl under the car far as I can, searching for obvious damage or leaking fluids. Nothing. It goes in drive and pulls off fine.
7/8/22. I was weary about taking the 300C to work, but ultimately did. Still in city limits, I pull a 90 degree turn and get up to speed (30 MPH). As I'm lightly accelerating, there's one final huge shutter in the transmission. I lose all power to the wheels and coast to the closest small street. No check engine light at this time.
After coming to a stop, I put it in park and cycle the ignition. Flashing check engine light appears. The electronic shifter/transmission has locked itself out. It won't do anything. 10 hours later I figure out a trick. Start the car with one hand, shift into drive with the other - before all the electronics are fully booted. It goes into drive. Reverse is gone. Call it a night, leave it in its grave.
Got it towed the next day straight to the Chrysler dealership. Events and times will be chaotic from here out. I call them and let them know they got a dead 300 outside to deal with. They waste $1,100 playing with the TCM, new transmission fluid, new transmission pan/filter, replacement bell housing. No luck - my gut told me it was the transmission but didn't insist to cut the BS.
After about 4 1/2 months sitting dead at the dealer, they offer me a list of used replacement transmissions. I choose the most expensive, low mileage one available. Originally wanted a brand new transmission, but none were available. Not even an ETA.
I know CC states to post issues separately, which I will do, but I was also quoted an additional $3,000 to replace the rear fuse box for another rabbit hole issue. This SINGLE visit almost sent this car to the scrapyard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
To preface... Chrysler states this transmission is "sealed for life", that changing the fluid is not required or advised. This is COMPLETELY false. Every 50,000 miles. As long as you run out of warranty, that's ALL they care about. Longevity is not their concern. Ontop of that, NOBODY will touch ZF transmissions. They're too complex/high tolerance. Chrysler dealers are only allowed to touch a handful of parts. Standard procedure: Replace.
On 7/8/22 the ZF transmission gave out on my way to work at 101K miles. I purchased this car in 2016 with 31K miles, Chrysler Certified, etc.
Going back to 2017 and onwards, I noticed there was a very rare shutter in the drivetrain. Never thought much of it - I wasn't familiar with an 8 speed.
In 2018, driving during mid-day, my transmission shuttered. Car went into a sort of limp mode. Flashing check engine light. Transmission lost almost all power to the wheels and seemed as if it was slipping. Restarting the car 3 times got it moving. Immediately went to the Chrysler dealer 2 minutes away.
It was common practice for the main service guy to casually plug in their scanner. Not this time- I was told they "Never have issues with these transmissions". "Just drive it". I had dealt with these individuals before and this response was very uncharacteristic of them. I got shrugged off. Eventually, the car went back to normal. The rare shutters continued.
7/7/22, on my way home from work. Getting on the on ramp to the interstate. It's a short ramp - I pin it. The car shifts to 1st, approaching redline. Then it goes past redline - it fails to shift. HUGE shutter in the drivetrain. I was convinced something violently broke. I pull over at the end of the on ramp, crawl under the car far as I can, searching for obvious damage or leaking fluids. Nothing. It goes in drive and pulls off fine.
7/8/22. I was weary about taking the 300C to work, but ultimately did. Still in city limits, I pull a 90 degree turn and get up to speed (30 MPH). As I'm lightly accelerating, there's one final huge shutter in the transmission. I lose all power to the wheels and coast to the closest small street. No check engine light at this time.
After coming to a stop, I put it in park and cycle the ignition. Flashing check engine light appears. The electronic shifter/transmission has locked itself out. It won't do anything. 10 hours later I figure out a trick. Start the car with one hand, shift into drive with the other - before all the electronics are fully booted. It goes into drive. Reverse is gone. Call it a night, leave it in its grave.
Got it towed the next day straight to the Chrysler dealership. Events and times will be chaotic from here out. I call them and let them know they got a dead 300 outside to deal with. They waste $1,100 playing with the TCM, new transmission fluid, new transmission pan/filter, replacement bell housing. No luck - my gut told me it was the transmission but didn't insist to cut the BS.
After about 4 1/2 months sitting dead at the dealer, they offer me a list of used replacement transmissions. I choose the most expensive, low mileage one available. Originally wanted a brand new transmission, but none were available. Not even an ETA.
I know CC states to post issues separately, which I will do, but I was also quoted an additional $3,000 to replace the rear fuse box for another rabbit hole issue. This SINGLE visit almost sent this car to the scrapyard.
- nuckenfutz, Warrenton, US