Chrysler 300 Best and Worst Years (2005–2023)
Avoid the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012 Chrysler 300 model years, which carry the highest complaint index scores (100, 94, 89, 83, and 78) and multiple Do Not Drive airbag recalls. The 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years rate Best, with complaint index scores of 22 or below and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2012Best 2017Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 19
- 2005–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 4,921
- Recall campaigns
- 37
- Crashes reported
- 252
- Fires reported
- 123
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 89 | 825 | 37 | 14 | 7 ! | Airbags | — | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 1,002 | 45 | 17 | 4 ! | Airbags | 20 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 78 | 497 | 18 | 12 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 94 | 714 | 27 | 8 | 4 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 44 | 83 | 3 | 1 | 5 ! | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 56 | 123 | 14 | 5 | 7 ! | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 61 | 200 | 7 | 9 | 7 ! | Electrical System | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 83 | 426 | 24 | 34 | 9 ! | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 72 | 306 | 19 | 16 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 236 | 22 | 4 | 7 ! | Electrical System | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 39 | 98 | 9 | 1 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 23 | — |
| 2016 | Good | 33 | 76 | 9 | 1 | 2 | Electrical System | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 22 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 153 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 23 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Good | 28 | 60 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 23 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 17 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Best | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Best | 11 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 21 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Best | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 19 | 4★ |
300 years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Chrysler 300 Index 100 · 1,002 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 300 has 1,002 complaints, the highest raw count of any year, and ranks worst overall with a complaint index of 100. Airbags and transmission/powertrain issues each account for 26% of complaints, with median failure mileages around 72,000 and 77,000 miles. Owners describe airbags not deploying in crashes, axles breaking while driving, and unintended vehicle movement after shifting out of park. Four recall campaigns apply, including two Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
2006 airbags problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 engine problems →
2008 Chrysler 300 Index 94 · 714 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 300 has 714 complaints and a complaint index of 94. Electrical system issues make up 70% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,500, and airbags account for another 26%. Owners describe vehicles stalling at speed, losing power, and catching fire, sometimes followed by airbags failing to deploy. Four recall campaigns apply, including two Do Not Drive airbag recalls and one for a defective ignition switch.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 engine problems →
2005 Chrysler 300 Index 89 · 825 complaints · 7 recalls
NHTSA lists 825 complaints for the 2005 300, giving it a complaint index of 100, the worst of any year. Airbags are the top problem area at 31% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,156, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 23% (median 85,400 miles). Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes and steering or suspension components breaking during normal driving. The year carries seven recall campaigns, two of them Do Not Drive airbag recalls tied to Takata inflators.
2005 airbags problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 electrical system problems →
2012 Chrysler 300 Index 83 · 426 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2012 300 recorded 426 complaints and a complaint index of 83. Electrical system problems lead at 52% of complaints, median 70,000 miles, followed by airbags at 19% and transmission/powertrain at 19%. Owners describe alternators catching fire, vehicles entering 'battery save mode' and losing power while driving, and airbags failing to deploy in collisions. Nine recall campaigns apply to this year, three of them Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
2007 Chrysler 300 Index 78 · 497 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 300 logged 497 complaints and a complaint index of 89. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate at 38% of complaints (median 74,000 miles), followed by airbags at 27% (median 102,000 miles). Owners describe engine fires while driving, airbags failing to deploy in side impacts, and ABS-related brake lockup tied to a software recall. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including two Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
2007 transmission & powertrain problems →2007 airbags problems →2007 engine problems →
Most common Chrysler 300 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System1,579 (32%)
- Airbags1,166 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain951 (19%)
- Engine774 (16%)
- Other411 (8%)
- Fuel System366 (7%)
- Brakes311 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires227 (5%)
- Steering206 (4%)
- Structure & Body147 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chrysler 300 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012 as the years to avoid, based on complaint index scores of 78 to 100 and multiple Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
- What is the best year for the Chrysler 300?
- The 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years rate Best, with complaint index scores of 22 or lower and no do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the Chrysler 300?
- Across all model years, electrical system issues are the top complaint category at 32% of all complaints, followed by airbags at 24% and transmission/powertrain at 19%.
- Does the Chrysler 300 have a lot of recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns across all 300 model years, including several Do Not Drive airbag recalls tied to Takata inflators affecting years such as 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.
- Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?
- The 2012 300 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 83, 426 complaints, and nine recall campaigns, three of them Do Not Drive airbag recalls.