2023 Chrysler 300 Headlights Flickering & Auto-High Beam Failure

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:24 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2023 Chrysler 300 Touring L

I recently bought a new 2023 Chrysler 300 Touring L, and I'm already having issues with the headlights. They occasionally flicker, especially the passenger side, and the automatic high beams sometimes don't activate or deactivate properly. It's really distracting at night.

This is a brand new car, so I'm quite surprised and annoyed. I've checked the settings in the Uconnect system, and everything seems to be enabled correctly. The flickering isn't constant, but it's frequent enough to be a concern.

Is this a known electrical glitch for newer Chrysler 300 models? What should I tell the dealership when I take it in?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

It's certainly frustrating to experience electrical issues like flickering headlights and auto-high beam malfunctions on a brand new 2023 Chrysler 300. While modern vehicles are complex, these symptoms typically point to a specific electrical or sensor-related problem.

Possible Causes:

  1. Loose or Faulty Headlight Connection/Bulb: Even new components can have manufacturing defects or loose connections. If only one side flickers, it points more towards that specific headlight assembly, bulb (if not LED), or its wiring.
  2. Headlight Control Module: Modern headlights often have dedicated control modules. A faulty module can cause erratic behavior.
  3. Body Control Module (BCM) Issues: The BCM manages many electrical functions, including lighting. A glitch in the BCM's software or hardware could affect headlight operation.
  4. Light Sensor/Camera Malfunction: The auto-high beam system relies on a forward-facing camera (often located near the rearview mirror) to detect oncoming lights and ambient light. If this sensor or camera is obstructed, dirty, or faulty, the system won't work correctly.
  5. Wiring Harness Damage: Though less likely on a new vehicle, a pinched, corroded, or improperly installed wiring harness could cause intermittent electrical issues.
  6. Software Glitch: The vehicle's overall software or the BCM's firmware could have a bug affecting lighting controls.

Diagnostics & Next Steps:

  1. Document Everything: Note down when the flickering occurs (e.g., specific conditions, driving over bumps, specific speeds) and how often. Also, detail the auto-high beam failures.
  2. Visual Inspection: Briefly check the headlight assemblies for any visible damage or loose connections, though this is best left to a professional. Ensure the windshield area around the rearview mirror (where the camera/sensor is) is clean and unobstructed.
  3. Dealership Visit: Since your vehicle is brand new, it's under warranty. This issue should be addressed by the dealership.
  4. OBD-II Scan: The dealership will connect their diagnostic tools to check for any stored fault codes related to the BCM, lighting control modules, or camera systems. These codes might not trigger a check engine light but will be present in the vehicle's internal memory.

When to See a Shop:

Take your 2023 Chrysler 300 to the dealership immediately. As a new car, this issue falls under warranty, and they are best equipped to diagnose and repair it. Provide them with all the details you've documented. Emphasize that it's a new vehicle and these are significant safety and quality concerns. They will likely check for software updates, perform diagnostic scans, and inspect the relevant hardware components.