Chrysler 300 Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
The 2012 Chrysler 300 is the worst year, with 426 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100, driven by electrical system failures. 2011, 2013, and 2014 are also Avoid years, while 2020-2023 rank Best with complaint indexes of 23 or lower.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,800
- Recall campaigns
- 25
- Crashes reported
- 122
- Fires reported
- 71
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
300 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chrysler 300 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 69 | 123 | 14 | 5 | 6 ! | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 77 | 200 | 7 | 9 | 7 ! | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 100 | 426 | 24 | 34 | 9 ! | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 92 | 306 | 19 | 16 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 85 | 236 | 22 | 4 | 7 ! | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 54 | 98 | 9 | 1 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 46 | 76 | 9 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 31 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 62 | 153 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 21 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 38 | 60 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 15 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 8 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 23 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 20 | 4★ |
300 years to avoid: what went wrong
2012 Chrysler 300 Index 100 · 426 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2012 Chrysler 300 ranks worst overall, with 426 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100. Electrical System issues dominate at 52% of complaints, median 70,000 miles, including alternator fires, stalling, and loss of power. Airbags (19%) and Transmission & Powertrain (19%) follow, with airbag non-deployment reported around 67,000 miles. NHTSA recorded 9 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive, plus 34 fires and 1 death reported this year.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
2013 Chrysler 300 Index 92 · 306 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2013 Chrysler 300 had 306 complaints and a Complaint Index of 92. Electrical System failures made up 47% of complaints at a median 42,000 miles, including alternator and suspension-related electrical faults. Transmission & Powertrain issues followed at 19%, median 39,500 miles. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, 2 do-not-drive, and owners reported 16 fires and 19 crashes for the year.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 engine problems →
2014 Chrysler 300 Index 85 · 236 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2014 Chrysler 300 recorded 236 complaints with a Complaint Index of 85. Electrical System problems were 37% of complaints at a median 23,231 miles, including burning odors and unavailable recall repair parts. Transmission & Powertrain issues followed at 29%, median 22,175 miles, including vehicles rolling away or shifting from park to reverse on their own. NHTSA lists 7 recalls, including a do-not-drive airbag recall and two electrical/alternator recalls specific to this model year.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 engine problems →
2011 Chrysler 300 Index 77 · 200 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2011 Chrysler 300 logged 200 complaints with a Complaint Index of 77. Electrical System problems made up 62% of complaints, at a median 52,000 miles, including alternator fires and battery-saving mode warnings. Airbags accounted for 14%, with owners reporting non-deployment in crashes at a median 24,000 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this year, including two do-not-drive airbag recalls and an electro-hydraulic power steering/alternator recall shared with other Chrysler models.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 airbags problems →2011 brakes problems →
Most common Chrysler 300 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System766 (43%)
- Airbags298 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain282 (16%)
- Engine253 (14%)
- Other233 (13%)
- Brakes168 (9%)
- Steering84 (5%)
- Structure & Body82 (5%)
- Fuel System78 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires59 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Chrysler 300 should I avoid?
- Avoid the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Chrysler 300. The 2012 model has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and the most complaints, 426, mostly tied to the Electrical System.
- Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable based on complaints?
- The 2012 Chrysler 300 has the worst complaint record in the lineup, with 426 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 100, 9 recalls, and 34 reported fires.
- Which Chrysler 300 years are best?
- NHTSA data ranks 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as Best, with Complaint Index values of 15, 8, 23, and 0 respectively, far lower than the 2011-2014 Avoid years.
- Does the Chrysler 300 have electrical system recalls?
- Yes. Electrical System complaints account for 43% of all 1,800 complaints across model years, and several recalls, including alternator-related ones in 2011-2014, cover electro-hydraulic power steering and alternator failures.
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Chrysler 300 have?
- Across model years 2010-2023, NHTSA lists 1,800 total complaints and 25 recall campaigns for the Chrysler 300.