2007 Chrysler 300C problems
The 2007 Chrysler 300C was sold with an engine that we have documented: the OM642. The OM642 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2007 cars, such as play in the suspension control arms, ball joints and track rod ends.
2007 Chrysler 300C score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 10 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine2.85 faults
- Gearbox8.61 fault
- Suspension7.91 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering5.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 2.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system8.22 faults
- Headlights and lights7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2006 Chrysler 300C
The same engines and the same documented faults as in 2006.
OM642 engine in the 2007 Chrysler 300C
Names: 300C 3.0 CRD
- With caution
OM642 Euro 4, first generation (280/300/320 CDI, 2005-2009)
190–224 hp
It shares all the typical OM642 weak points (oil cooler, intake flaps, injectors) and, according to one specialist source, it is the generation with the most documented cases of the less durable oil cooler seal and of chain tensioner failure. It is worth checking the service history and the condition of these parts before buying.[2][3]
Faults that affect 2007 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken swirl flaps in the intake manifoldYes: the plastic rods of the intake manifold's swirl flaps become brittle and can break at around 100,000-200,000 km. If a loose flap is sucked into a cylinder, it can hit the piston and destroy the engine; this is why removing them preventively is recommended.Repair (garage): €600–€1,200Appears at around 100,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentLubricationOil cooler seal leak (between the cylinder heads)Yes: the OM642's oil cooler, between the two cylinder heads, has seals that harden with heat and eventually leak oil. It is the engine's most frequently cited weak point, especially before 2009-2010, and the repair is expensive because the intake manifold, turbo and several injectors have to be removed.Repair (garage): €1,500–€2,200Appears at around 120,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonInjectionWear and failure of the Bosch piezo injectorsThe OM642's Bosch piezo injectors can fail from around 150,000-200,000 km, especially with poor-quality diesel; they cannot be repaired, only replaced. Because it is a V engine, those on the rear bank are harder to reach, which pushes up labour costs.Repair: €4,500–€6,500
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingRear timing chain wear and tensioner failureThe OM642's timing chain, at the rear next to the gearbox, usually lasts a long time: normal stretch begins at around 300,000-350,000 km. On older units (up to 2009) cases of premature tensioner failure have been documented, uncommon but serious if the chain skips.Repair (garage): €3,500–€5,000Appears at around 300,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlEmissions defeat device (AdBlue/EGR) and software update campaignGermany's KBA found indications of emissions manipulation in cars with the OM642 engine (alongside the OM651): AdBlue dosing and the EGR changed between the test bench and the road. Mercedes-Benz denied it, but in 2018 it recalled hundreds of thousands of diesels in Europe.
Faults outside the engine in the 2007 Chrysler 300C
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPlay in the suspension control arms, ball joints and track rod endsYes: AUTO BILD says the TÜV (the German inspection body) often criticises the 300C's axle and steering joints for play, specifically the control arms (Querlenker), load-bearing ball joints (Traggelenke) and track rod ends (Spurstangenköpfe). The magazine points out that the floorpan and axles are shared with the old Mercedes E-Class (W 210).
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchWear of the driveshaft flexible couplings («Hardy» joints)AUTO BILD states that the flexible «Hardy» joints on the driveshaft «capitulate» under the torque of the 300C's powerful engines. The magazine adds that the parts are identical to those of the Mercedes E-Class and cost less at a Mercedes dealer, although it gives no figures.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical system12 V battery failures from the third year of useAccording to the ADAC, as cited by German Wikipedia, the 300C breaks down at the roadside relatively rarely, but from the third year of use defective batteries become more common. Some owners link them on forums with minor electronic problems.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesWarped brake discs and undersized brakes that wear quicklyAUTO BILD maintains that the 300C's braking system is too small for the car and wears very quickly, and that many drivers complain of warped discs (verzogene Bremsscheiben). It is a complaint from the press, with no figures or costs.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectrical faults: xenon lights, heated seats and climate and navigation controlsAUTO BILD says the 300C suffers faults with xenon bulbs, seat heaters and the climate control and navigation control units. It is a list from the used-car test, with no figures, causes or costs.
Buying a 2007 Chrysler 300C?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2007 Chrysler 300C reliable?
The 2007 Chrysler 300C was sold with an engine that we have documented: the OM642. The OM642 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2007 cars, such as play in the suspension control arms, ball joints and track rod ends.
Is the 2007 Chrysler 300C better than the 2006?
Going by the documented faults, they are the same: the same engines and the same faults affect the 2006 and 2007 cars. Choose on condition, mileage and maintenance history.
What is the best year for the Chrysler 300C?
According to our score, the best is 2005 (7.3/10). The year with the worst score is 2006 (5.0/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2007 Chrysler 300C have?
The most important ones documented for 2007 cars are: broken swirl flaps in the intake manifold (OM642, critical severity), rear timing chain wear and tensioner failure (OM642, critical severity), oil cooler seal leak (between the cylinder heads) (OM642, high severity), wear and failure of the Bosch piezo injectors (OM642, high severity) and emissions defeat device (AdBlue/EGR) and software update campaign (OM642, medium severity).
Own a 2007 Chrysler 300C? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Mercedes-Benz OM642 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
- Mercedes OM642 : fiabilité, pannes fréquentes et coûts d'entretienAutoCopilot · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Mercedes OM642: Zuverlässiger Dauerläufer oder Kostenfalle?Gebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German