YearToAvoid

2012 Chrysler 300C Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2012 Chrysler 300C has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 9th out of 13 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other 300C years. Its main issue is the electrical system, especially alternator failures, reported by 7 of 15 complainants.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
33/100
#9 of 13 300C years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
15
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2014
rated Best

Top 2012 Chrysler 300C problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System7 (47%)
  2. Engine4 (27%)
  3. Other2 (13%)
  4. Brakes1 (7%)
  5. Steering1 (7%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Alternator wiring glows or smokes near the engine bay while driving at low speeds, in some cases with visible fire.
  • Alternator and battery fail simultaneously, cutting power to the radio, air conditioning, ABS brakes, power steering, and ignition.
  • Alternator failure leaves the vehicle unable to start, requiring towing.
  • Timing chain breaks while driving on the highway, causing the engine to stall and require full replacement.
  • Engine misfires and shakes at low RPM with a check engine light and loud ticking noise around 100,410 miles.
  • Power steering error message appears while driving downhill, reducing the ability to brake or steer normally.
2012 Chrysler 300C complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2017Dec 2017May 2018Aug 2018Jan 2019Jul 2019
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2017 to Jul 2019; peak Jul 2017 (3).

2012 Chrysler 300C recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2012 compared with other 300C years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution42101 !—
2011Caution67250—
2012Good33150—
2013Avoid75350—
2014Best17110—

All Chrysler 300C years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Chrysler 300C reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2012 300C a complaint index of 33, ranking it 9th of 13 model years and earning a Good verdict compared with other 300C years.
What is the main problem with the 2012 Chrysler 300C?
The top problem area is the electrical system, accounting for 47% of complaints (7 of 15), mostly alternator failures, with a median mileage at failure of 84,500 miles.
Does the 2012 Chrysler 300C have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 300C.
Were there any fires reported for the 2012 Chrysler 300C?
Yes, NHTSA complaints report 2 fires for the 2012 300C, both tied to electrical system issues involving the alternator.
How does the 2012 300C compare to other years like 2006 or 2016?
The 2012 300C's complaint index of 33 is far below the 2006 model's index of 100 (Avoid) and above the 2016 model's index of 8 (Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.