2012 Chrysler 300 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 79 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300, 19% of that year's 426 total complaints. Most reports describe the vehicle rolling away after being shifted to park, and 8 crashes and 1 injury are tied to this area. A related recall (16V240000) addresses a software fix to reduce rollaway risk.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 79
- 19% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 58,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle shifted into park but rolled away forward or backward on its own, sometimes crashing into buildings, curbs, or other vehicles.
- Gear selector failed to properly engage park, requiring an emergency release to stop unwanted rollaway.
- Transmission software patch applied by dealer did not fully resolve intermittent park-lock failures.
- Vehicle intermittently failed to shift gears properly, sometimes accompanied by service engine, ESC, or ABS warning lights.
- Vehicle stalled at low speed while turning, in one case linked to a steering rack and pinion replacement.
When 2012 Chrysler 300 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 17, 2012, latest Sep 6, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Chrysler 300
- NHTSA 16V240000Apr 25, 2016Transmission & Powertrain811,290 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by 300 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have?
- NHTSA lists 79 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300, which is 19% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Chrysler 300?
- Yes. Recall 16V240000 covers 2012-2014 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger vehicles built between February 15, 2011 and November 27, 2014 for a rollaway risk; the remedy is a free software update.
- What is the main transmission problem owners report?
- Owners most often report the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly after being shifted into park, sometimes causing crashes into buildings or other vehicles.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
- The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Chrysler 300 is 58,000 miles.
- Did the 2012 Chrysler 300 transmission issue cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Chrysler 300.