Chrysler 300C Best and Worst Years (2005–2017)
Avoid the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2013 Chrysler 300C model years; 2006 has the highest complaint index (100) and 698 complaints, mostly fuel system and engine issues. The 2014 and 2016 model years score lowest (complaint index 17 and 8) and are rated Best.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 13
- 2005–2017
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,258
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 19
- Top problem area
- Fuel System
300C Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chrysler 300C problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 92 | 288 | 8 | 2 | 2 ! | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 698 | 8 | 3 | 1 ! | Fuel System | 18 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 83 | 112 | 4 | 3 | 1 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 58 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 1 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 50 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 42 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 ! | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 67 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2012 | Good | 33 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 75 | 35 | 2 | 6 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 17 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2015 | Good | 25 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2016 | Best | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | — | — |
300C years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Chrysler 300C Index 100 · 698 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2006 300C has the most complaints of any year for this model, 698 total, and the highest complaint index at 100. Fuel system issues make up 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000, and engine problems account for 41%, failing around 84,312 miles on average. One recall applies, a do-not-drive airbag inflator campaign. Owners described stalling episodes, an accelerator pedal that stuck open causing a low-speed crash, and airbags that failed to deploy in a crash. This year ranks worst overall among 300C model years.
2006 fuel system problems →2006 engine problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →
2005 Chrysler 300C Index 92 · 288 complaints · 2 recalls
Owners of the 2005 300C reported fuel system failures most often, 48% of complaints for the year, with cars stalling near the pump at a median 77,000 miles. Engine problems followed at 27%, also failing around 80,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls tied to this model year, including a do-not-drive airbag inflator recall shared with other Chrysler and Dodge vehicles. Owners describe stalling that made steering and braking difficult, plus one report of a vehicle unexpectedly moving in reverse while parked. This year carries a complaint index of 92 and ranks second-worst for the 300C.
2005 fuel system problems →2005 engine problems →2005 transmission & powertrain problems →
2007 Chrysler 300C Index 83 · 112 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2007 300C shows a shift toward transmission and powertrain complaints, 37% of the year's total, failing at a median of 59,817.5 miles, alongside engine problems at 29%, failing around 85,057 miles. One do-not-drive airbag recall applies to this year. Owners reported engine smoke and failure during routine use, brake problems, and airbags that failed to deploy in a rear-end collision. Complaint volume is much lower than 2005-2006, but the complaint index of 83 still places it third-worst for the model.
2007 transmission & powertrain problems →2007 engine problems →
2013 Chrysler 300C Index 75 · 35 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2013 300C stands out for electrical system complaints, 66% of the year's total, failing at a median of 67,000 miles. No recalls are on file for this model year, but owners reported vehicles that failed to start, produced smoke from under the hood, and in some cases caught fire, including one incident where a radio shut off before smoke appeared. A separate Takata airbag-related crash was also reported. With a complaint index of 75, this year ranks fourth-worst for the 300C despite having no recall campaigns.
Most common Chrysler 300C problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Fuel System499 (40%)
- Engine431 (34%)
- Transmission & Powertrain209 (17%)
- Electrical System188 (15%)
- Other90 (7%)
- Airbags89 (7%)
- Steering74 (6%)
- Brakes54 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires36 (3%)
- Structure & Body29 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chrysler 300C should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2013 model years are rated Avoid, with 2006 having the highest complaint index at 100 and 698 total complaints, mostly involving the fuel system and engine.
- Which Chrysler 300C model years are best?
- The 2014 and 2016 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 17 and 8, the lowest across all 13 model years covered.
- Is the 2013 Chrysler 300C reliable?
- The 2013 300C is rated Avoid relative to other 300C years, driven mainly by electrical system complaints (66% of that year's total) including reports of vehicles failing to start or emitting smoke, even though it has no recall campaigns on file.
- Does the Chrysler 300C have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns across all 300C model years, including a do-not-drive airbag inflator recall affecting the 2005, 2006, and 2007 model years.
- What is the most common problem area for the Chrysler 300C?
- Across all years, Fuel System complaints are most common at 40% of the 1,258 total complaints, followed by Engine at 34% and Transmission & Powertrain at 17%.