2012 Chrysler 300 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 14 300 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2012 Chrysler 300 ranks worst among all 14 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 426 complaints, 9 recalls, and 3 do-not-drive recalls. Its Electrical System problems dominate, making up 52% of complaints. NHTSA data supports an 'Avoid' verdict for this year relative to other 300 model years.
- Complaints
- 426
- Recalls
- 9
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 24 / 34
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
Top 2012 Chrysler 300 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System221 (52%)
- Airbags83 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain79 (19%)
- Engine76 (18%)
- Brakes51 (12%)
- Steering28 (7%)
- Other24 (6%)
- Fuel System11 (3%)
- Structure & Body10 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report alternators catching fire under the hood, often accompanied by a burning smell and dashboard warnings like 'battery save mode.'
- Vehicles reportedly stall or lose power while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, tied to electrical failures.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal collisions despite significant vehicle damage.
- Steering wheel reportedly seized while turning at low speed, later diagnosed as a rack and pinion issue.
- Brakes reportedly faded when needed, with drivers unable to stop in time to avoid a crash.
- Instrument panel and radio reportedly malfunctioned erratically alongside steering wheel lockup in some cases.
2012 Chrysler 300 recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
2012 Chrysler 300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- 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.
2012 compared with other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2012 Chrysler 300?
- Yes, relative to other 300 model years. It ranks worst of 14 model years with a complaint index of 100 and carries an 'Avoid' verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Chrysler 300?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 52% of the 426 complaints, with 30 fire reports and a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2012 Chrysler 300, including 3 do-not-drive recalls covering airbags.
- Are there airbag issues on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
- Yes. Airbags account for 19% of complaints (83 total), with 13 crashes reported and a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles, plus two do-not-drive airbag recalls.
- How does the 2012 model compare to other Chrysler 300 years?
- The 2012 has the highest complaint index (100) of all 14 model years tracked, worse than 2011 (77), 2013 (92), and far worse than later years like 2020 (15) and 2021 (8).