2006 Chrysler 300C Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Chrysler 300C ranks worst of all 13 model years, with 698 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup. Fuel System problems dominate at 49% of complaints, with Engine issues close behind at 41%, backed by one do-not-drive airbag recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 13 300C years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 698
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2006 Chrysler 300C problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System342 (49%)
- Engine286 (41%)
- Transmission & Powertrain106 (15%)
- Electrical System62 (9%)
- Other46 (7%)
- Steering38 (5%)
- Airbags32 (5%)
- Brakes27 (4%)
- Structure & Body15 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving at moderate speeds, sometimes in the middle of an intersection.
- Engine cuts off unexpectedly going downhill or during a turn, causing brakes to become hard to press.
- Accelerator pedal has stuck in the down position, causing unintended forward surges.
- Airbags have failed to deploy during crashes involving animal avoidance or intersection collisions.
- Electrical fires have started near the dashboard area while the vehicle was idling or parked.
- Engine has produced loud rattling noises and white smoke on startup, with difficulty restarting.
2006 Chrysler 300C recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V313000May 26, 2015Airbags4,077,169 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
2006 Chrysler 300C fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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.
2006 compared with other 300C years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Chrysler 300C reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 300C ranks worst among all 13 model years with a complaint index of 100 and 698 complaints. Fuel System and Engine problems account for most of the reported issues.
- What problems does the 2006 Chrysler 300C have?
- Owners most often report Fuel System issues (49% of complaints) and Engine issues (41%), including stalling and hard-to-control braking after stalls. There is also a do-not-drive airbag recall affecting this year.
- Does the 2006 Chrysler 300C have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 15V313000, covering airbags, and it carries a do-not-drive advisory until repaired.
- What year Chrysler 300C should I avoid?
- The 2006 model is the highest-risk year in the lineup, followed by 2005, 2007, and 2013, all rated Avoid. The 2014 and 2016 model years are rated Best based on the same complaint data.