# Harsh Downshift in 2003 300M Special -- Should I Continue to Drive?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/harsh-downshift-in-2003-300m-special-should-i-continue-to-drive/28972>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 11, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/harsh-downshift-in-2003-300m-special-should-i-continue-to-drive/28972 "2009-04-11T14:14:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![300M\_Special](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/a6a055/32.png) [@300M\_Special](https://community.cartalk.com/u/300M_Special)\
**Post date:** [April 11, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/harsh-downshift-in-2003-300m-special-should-i-continue-to-drive/28972/1 "2009-04-11T14:14:21Z")

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My '03 Chrysler 300M Special has 78K miles and has been regularly serviced. Just this week a problem occurred with the car when decelerating: at exactly 32 mph on the speedometer, the car “kicks” or bumps/shifts harshly. This happens only when the car is slowing and only at 32 mph. Other than this issue, the car drives, shifts, rides perfectly.  
  
  
  
 I took it to the dealer yesterday. I had this problem once before at 35K miles, and it was a bad sensor. Then, the dealer replaced sensor and reprogrammed the car. No problems.  
  
  
  
 This time the dealer thinks a seal may be bad in the transmission, though fluid level, color, smell were fine on inspection. The dealer wants to replace tranny with a 60K used one (12K warranty) for $1500 – or a Chrysler refurbished one for $3500.  
  
  
  
 I read all night about TCM codes --I reset the fuses but still the harsh downshift. I am not ready – yet – to shell out big money for a tranny that has just 18K fewer miles than mine. Is there something else I should check? Inspect?  
  
  
  
 Am I damaging the car by driving it as is? Thanks for your time and help. I was supposed to go to family for Easter, but I don’t know if I should drive or not.

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**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/harsh-downshift-in-2003-300m-special-should-i-continue-to-drive/28972/2 "2009-04-14T03:23:49Z")

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_disclaimer_ I’m not any kind of transmission expert. That said, I know these transmissions will increase the line pressure to maximum to prevent damage if a fault is detected. This protects the clutches but can cause harsh shifts. If you’re worried about it, I’d only drive it as far as a competent transmission shop and have the tranny’s computer scanned for fault codes. Avoid any shop that wants to disassemble the transmission and charge you for it just to give a ballpark diagnosis. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if something sounds fishy.