CarBrief

The 2006 Chrysler 300 has 1,750 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, the most of any model year of this car[1][2]. Two air bag inflator recalls tell owners not to drive until the repair is done[3][4].

1,750owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,750 owner complaints for this year[1]. Of these, 56 mention a crash, 20 a fire and 48 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups are:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[6] 505 86,000
Power train[7] 369 77,490
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 300 86,000
Air bags[9] 296 74,000
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 238 65,900
Electrical system[11] 159 90,000

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe a rough idle or misfire, 5 describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving, and 1 describes engine knocking. Several of these owners say repeat dealer visits did not fix it[6]. Engine complaints include 11 fires and 4 injuries[6].

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints, 5 describe transmission trouble, such as a fluid leak, the car rolling in reverse, a loud bang when shifting or a gear that would not change[7].

Fuel system. All 12 complaints in our sample describe the engine stalling, and they tie it to filling the gas tank[8]. Some owners say a dealer replaced the fuel tank or vapor parts[8].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints, 6 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[9]. Two say the recall repair part was not available at the time[9]. This group carries 27 crashes and 32 injuries, more injuries than any other group listed[9][6][7][8][10][11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this car[2]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions. All use regular fuel[16][17][5][18][19][20].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.5L 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive[18] 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cyl, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive[19] 17 / 24 / 20 $3,350
5.7L 8-cyl, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive[20] 15 / 23 / 18 $3,700
300C AWD 3.5L 6-cyl, 5-speed automatic[16] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700
300C AWD 5.7L 8-cyl, 5-speed automatic[17] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700

EPA fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 4-door 5-Star Safety Rating for this year as not rated[21].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, and can differ slightly from US cars. Length is 197 inches, width 74 inches and wheelbase 120 inches for the versions listed[22][23][24]. Height is 58 inches[22][23][24]. Curb weight varies by version[22][23][24].

Version Curb weight
Touring/Limited sedan, rear-wheel drive[23] 3,765 lb
300C sedan, rear-wheel drive[24] 4,065 lb
SRT8 sedan, rear-wheel drive[22] 4,162 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

1999: 351 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 242 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 91 complaints, 3 recalls2002: 83 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 73 complaints, 1 recalls2005: 1,125 complaints, 7 recalls20052006: 1,750 complaints, 4 recalls1,75020062007: 624 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 758 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 95 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 138 complaints, 7 recalls2011: 225 complaints, 7 recalls20112012: 441 complaints, 9 recalls2013: 341 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 248 complaints, 7 recalls20142015: 111 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 83 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 86 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 153 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 61 complaints, 2 recalls2020: 10 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 20 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 5 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 6 complaints, 1 recalls2023
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 300 model year. The 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19993513
20002426
2001913
2002831
2003330
2004731
20051,1257
20061,7504
20076245
20087584
2009955
20101387
20112257
20124419
20133416
20142487
20151114
2016832
2017862
20181534
2019612
2020102
2021202
202252
202361

NHTSA's counts for each 300 model year show 2006 with the most complaints, at 1,750[2]. The next highest are 2005 with 1,125 and 2008 with 758[2]. For recalls, 2006 has 4, fewer than 2012 with 9[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide only[2].

Should you buy a used 2006 Chrysler 300?

This year draws more owner complaints than any other 300 year, with engine, power train, fuel and air bag reports leading[1][2][6][7][8][9]. The first thing to check is whether both air bag inflator recalls have been done, since owners are told not to drive until they are[3][4]. Ask about stalling after refueling and about transmission behavior, because owners describe both in the complaints we read[7][8]. Complaints are unverified and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as questions to ask and not as a verdict[1].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler 300?
Engine is the largest complaint group at 505 of 1,750 complaints, followed by power train at 369 and fuel/propulsion at 300[1][6][7][8].
Does the 2006 Chrysler 300 have recalls?
NHTSA lists four, including driver and passenger air bag inflator recalls 15V313 and 16V352[3][4][2].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Chrysler 300?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 21 MPG depending on the engine and drive[16][17][5][18][19][20].
Is 2006 a bad year for the Chrysler 300?
It has the most complaints of any listed year at 1,750, though counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,750 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Chrysler 300 (56 mention a crash, 20 a fire, 48 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chrysler 300 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 15V313, filed May 26, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for 300, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 505 complaints name the engine component group (9 crashes, 11 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 369 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,490). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 300 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 296 complaints name the air bags component group (27 crashes, 1 fires, 32 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 238 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 159 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 11 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 94 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,222). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 86 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 06V149, filed May 3, 2006: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 05V460, filed October 6, 2005: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for 300C AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for 300C AWD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for 300, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for 300, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for 300, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN RWD SRT8: length 197 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,162 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN RWD TOURING/LIMITED: length 197 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,765 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300C 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 197 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,065 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.