YearToAvoid

2012 Chrysler 300 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 51 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300, about 12% of all 426 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles. Two crashes and seven fires were reported, though no dedicated brake recall is tied to this model year.

Brakes complaints
51
12% of 426
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
63,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report brake fade or loss of braking power tied to electrical failures, including cases where the car rolled into a curb or median after the brakes stopped responding.
  • Several complaints describe alternator or battery failures that cut power to the ABS and brake systems, sometimes accompanied by smoke or a burning electrical smell under the hood.
  • Multiple owners report the ABS and anti-skid warning lights illuminating together, often linked to a clicking noise or burning odor near the glove box area.
  • Some drivers experienced total electrical shutdown while braking, with dashboard gauges malfunctioning and the steering locking up at the same time.
  • One complaint noted repeated blown fuses affecting the anti-sway and brake-related systems, with an alternator fire reported on one occasion.

When 2012 Chrysler 300 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 17, 2012, latest Jun 29, 2023.

2012 Chrysler 300 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2012Nov 2014Jul 2015Apr 2016Oct 2016Jun 2017Jun 2019
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to Jun 2023; peak Jul 2015 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Chrysler 300

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by 300 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200524 (3%)
  2. 200645 (4%)
  3. 200736 (7%)
  4. 200831 (4%)
  5. 20097 (8%)
  6. 20107 (6%)
  7. 201127 (14%)
  8. 201251 (12%)
  9. 201330 (10%)
  10. 201421 (9%)
  11. 201511 (11%)
  12. 20165 (7%)
  13. 20175 (6%)
  14. 20183 (2%)
  15. 20193 (5%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20211 (5%)
  18. 20221 (20%)
  19. 20233 (50%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake complaints on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA lists 51 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300, which is about 12% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2012 Chrysler 300?
The data shows no recalls listed specifically under the related_recalls field for this brake issue, though one sample complaint references separate airbag and electrical/brake system recalls (campaign numbers 13V118000 and 12V197000).
At what mileage do brake problems tend to appear?
The median mileage at failure for brake-related complaints on the 2012 Chrysler 300 is 63,000 miles.
Did brake issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 7 fires associated with brake-related complaints on the 2012 Chrysler 300, though no injuries were reported.
How does the 2012 model compare to other 300 model years for brake complaints?
The 2012 Chrysler 300 had 51 brake complaints (12% share), higher than most later years like 2016 (5 complaints, 7%) and 2018 (3 complaints, 2%), but lower in share than 2011 (14%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.