2018 Chrysler 300 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Chrysler 300 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 10th worst of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate with 73 complaints (48% of the total), plus 4 recalls covering airbags, powertrain control modules, and transmission park lock rods.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #10 of 19 300 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 153
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2018 Chrysler 300 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System73 (48%)
- Other56 (37%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (11%)
- Airbags14 (9%)
- Structure & Body9 (6%)
- Engine7 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the anti-lock brake system malfunctioning with a pulsating brake pedal, in one case leading to a rear-end crash.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes at highway speeds, including a Takata-related recall airbag that did not fire on impact.
- Some drivers describe the front passenger wheel continuing straight during a low-speed turn instead of responding to steering input, striking a curb.
- Headlights have reportedly fogged with moisture inside the housing at night, causing one side to stop working.
- Owners describe wiring harness problems tied to the Electrical System that required repeat dealer visits without a permanent fix.
- One driver reported the vehicle rolling backward while in drive with the brake pedal depressed, with no cause identified by the dealer.
2018 Chrysler 300 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V198000Mar 14, 2024Airbags284,982 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
- NHTSA 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Electrical System12,779 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
- 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.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chrysler 300 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 300 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50, ranking 10th worst among 19 model years of the 300.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Chrysler 300?
- Electrical System issues account for 73 of 153 complaints, or 48% of the total, making it the top problem area, with a median failure mileage of 19,974 miles.
- Does the 2018 Chrysler 300 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 300, covering side curtain airbag inflators, a powertrain control module replacement, an engine/powertrain software flash, and an incorrect transmission park lock rod.
- How does the 2018 Chrysler 300 compare to other years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 50 is worse than years like 2017 (22) and 2020 (17), which earned Best verdicts, but better than earlier years like 2006 (100) and 2005 (89), which were rated Avoid.