2006 Chrysler 300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Chrysler 300 ranks worst of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 1,002 complaints, the highest in the lineup. Airbags and transmission issues each make up 26% of complaints, and two of its four recalls are do-not-drive airbag campaigns. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other 300 model years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 19 300 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,002
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 45
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 17
- Injuries
- 36
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 36 / 0
Top 2006 Chrysler 300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags258 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain257 (26%)
- Engine236 (24%)
- Fuel System172 (17%)
- Electrical System104 (10%)
- Other53 (5%)
- Steering47 (5%)
- Brakes45 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires27 (3%)
- Structure & Body18 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes leaving occupants with injuries.
- Wiring or electrical faults in the trunk and engine bay area produce smoke and, in some cases, visible flames while driving.
- Vehicles have unexpectedly rolled while parked even with the emergency brake applied.
- Braking performance drops or stopping distance increases on wet roads, occasionally leading to loss of control.
- Front suspension or wheel components have failed at highway speed, causing the vehicle to leave the road.
- An axle has broken off at low speed without warning while driving on the highway.
2006 Chrysler 300 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
- NHTSA 15V313000May 26, 2015Airbags4,077,169 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
- NHTSA 06V149000May 3, 2006Brakes44,367 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.7 liter engines and mk25e braking systems may exhibit inadequate clearance between the rear brake tubes and the exhaust gas recirculation tube. Contact between the brake tubes and exhaust gas recirculation tube over an extended period of time may cause the brake tubes to wear through and cause a brake fluid leak.
Risk: This can result in a decrease of braking force and the potential for an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear brake tubes for damage and replace them free of charge. A clip will also be installed to secure the brake tubes to the right front shock tower to maintain proper clearance to the exhaust gas recirculation tube. The recall began on june 26, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2006 Chrysler 300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chrysler 300 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Chrysler 300 has the highest complaint index (100) of all 19 model years covered and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other 300 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler 300?
- NHTSA data shows Airbags (26% of complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (26%) as the top problem areas, followed by Engine (24%) and Fuel System (17%).
- Does the 2006 Chrysler 300 have a recall?
- NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2006 Chrysler 300, including two do-not-drive airbag recalls, plus recalls covering brakes and the 42RLE automatic transmission.
- At what mileage do airbag problems show up in the 2006 300?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage of 72,236.5 miles at the time of airbag-related complaints for the 2006 Chrysler 300.
- How does the 2006 Chrysler 300 compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 100 is higher than every other year listed, including 2005 (89) and 2008 (94), which are also rated Avoid, while years like 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 score much lower and earn Best verdicts.