2016 Chrysler 300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Chrysler 300 has a complaint index of 33, ranking 13th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Good verdict. Its top problem area is the Electrical System (17 complaints, 22% share), with two recalls covering electrical and transmission driveshaft issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #13 of 19 300 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 76
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Chrysler 300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System17 (22%)
- Airbags15 (20%)
- Other14 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (18%)
- Structure & Body11 (14%)
- Engine8 (11%)
- Fuel System8 (11%)
- Steering6 (8%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the rotary shifter failing to hold park, letting the car roll away unexpectedly.
- Drivers report the vehicle drifting or moving forward while shown in park, sometimes leading to a collision.
- Some report sudden steering wheel seizure while turning at low speed, disabling power steering.
- Steering has been described as sticky or stuck in certain positions, making turns difficult.
- A few owners report the transmission hesitating or failing to downshift when accelerating around a corner.
- One report describes a heated seat smoldering and burning small holes while the vehicle was parked and off.
2016 Chrysler 300 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- NHTSA 17V097000Feb 14, 2017Transmission & Powertrain69,298 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Risk: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.
2016 Chrysler 300 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2016 compared with other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chrysler 300 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Chrysler 300 a complaint index of 33, the 13th worst of 19 model years covered, and it earns a Good verdict relative to other 300 model years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chrysler 300?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System with 17 complaints (22% share), followed by Airbags (15 complaints, 20%) and Transmission & Powertrain (14 complaints, 18%).
- Does the 2016 Chrysler 300 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2016 Chrysler 300: one covering electrical system software (campaign 18V332000) and one covering front driveshaft bolts on AWD models (campaign 17V097000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2016 Chrysler 300 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 33, the 2016 model ranks better than years like 2006 (index 100, Avoid) but worse than 2017 (index 22, Best) and 2021 (index 6, Best).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Chrysler 300?
- EPA rates the 2016 Chrysler 300 at 23 mpg combined (19 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.