YearToAvoid

2012 Chrysler 300 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 76 Engine complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300, 18% of its 426 total complaints for the year. That share is the highest among the model years shown, with a median failure mileage of 62,250 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
76
18% of 426
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
62,250 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Alternators reportedly smoke or catch fire, sometimes preceded by a 'battery saver mode' warning on the dashboard.
  • Owners describe a whining or whirring noise from under the hood before loss of power or failure to accelerate.
  • Drivers report the engine temperature gauge rising unexpectedly at highway speed, followed by white smoke entering the cabin through the vents.
  • At least one owner reported the vehicle vibrating and losing speed at 65 mph while the check engine light came on.
  • Some complaints describe stalling accompanied by a burning odor and illuminated check engine and brake indicators.

When 2012 Chrysler 300 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 17, 2012, latest Jul 25, 2025.

2012 Chrysler 300 engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62012 Q22014 Q12015 Q22017 Q12018 Q22019 Q42022 Q4
76 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q4 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Chrysler 300

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by 300 model year

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

  1. 2005116 (14%)
  2. 2006236 (24%)
  3. 200767 (13%)
  4. 200889 (12%)
  5. 200913 (16%)
  6. 201020 (16%)
  7. 201126 (13%)
  8. 201276 (18%)
  9. 201350 (16%)
  10. 201440 (17%)
  11. 201514 (14%)
  12. 20168 (11%)
  13. 20174 (5%)
  14. 20187 (5%)
  15. 20194 (7%)
  16. 20200 (0%)
  17. 20214 (20%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA lists 76 Engine complaints for the 2012 model year, which is 18% of the 426 total complaints filed for that year — the highest share among the model years listed.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Chrysler 300 engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints on the 2012 Chrysler 300 is 62,250 miles.
Did the engine problems cause any fires or injuries?
NHTSA data for this engine issue area lists 8 fires, 3 crashes, and 3 injuries tied to complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300.
How does the 2012 model compare to other 300 model years for engine complaints?
The 2012 model's 18% engine complaint share is higher than 2010 (16%), 2011 (13%), 2013 (16%), and every later year shown, making it the peak year for this issue.

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.