What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chrysler 300?

The electrical system has the most complaints, with 219. Air bags follow with 83, then the power train with 80.

Does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data lists 9 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?

The record is mixed. The electrical system is the biggest complaint group, and air bags and the power train also draw reports. See the by-year section for how this year compares.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Chrysler 300?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2012 Chrysler 300 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints has the 2012 Chrysler 300 had?

NHTSA has 441 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 441 owner complaints on file for this car^[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 219 complaints^[2].

441owner complaints^[1]

9recalls^[3]

18–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints in several groups, and these are the biggest ones.

Electrical System. 219 complaints^[2]. Owners describe warning lights that act up, dash lights that glow while the wipers run, and cars that stall after a charging problem. Some also describe smoke or a strong acid smell in the cabin.
Air Bags. 83 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, the air bag light comes on and goes off again. Owners say dealers found loose wiring under the seat, and the light returned after repairs. Others describe waiting a long time for recall parts.
Power Train. 80 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a car that will not shift, a gear lever stuck in park, and transmission warnings that appear while driving.
Engine. 66 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a check engine light, a loss of power on the highway, and a car that would not restart afterward.
Brakes. 33 complaints^[9].
Steering. 29 complaints^[10].
Unknown Or Other. 26 complaints^[11].
Electronic Stability Control. 25 complaints^[12].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one report can name more than one part.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 300 is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V018), January 2019. About 1,413,222 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V021), January 2018. About 328,177 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator (17V435), July 2017. About 442,214 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V352), May 2016. About 4,648,270 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) (16V240), April 2016. About 811,290 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator (14V634), October 2014. About 435,081 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags (13V118), April 2013. About 119,497 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers (12V197), May 2012. About 119,072 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (12V004), January 2012. About 303 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
300, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[22]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200
300, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive^[23]	16 / 25 / 19	$4,000
300 AWD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	15 / 23 / 18	$4,200
300, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	19 / 30 / 23	$2,900
300 AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[25]	18 / 27 / 21	$3,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	11.3%
4 DR RWD^[26]	5	5	5	4	11.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Chrysler 300 with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[27]	292 hp
2012 Chrysler 300 with 5.7L 8-cylinder^[28]	359 hp
2012 Chrysler 300 with 6.4L 8-cylinder^[29]	470 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
300 4DR SEDAN 300C AWD^[30]	199 in	75 in	59 in	120 in	4,513 lb
300 4DR SEDAN 300C RWD^[31]	199 in	75 in	59 in	120 in	4,270 lb
300 4DR SEDAN BASE/LIMITED^[32]	199 in	75 in	59 in	120 in	3,962 lb
300 SRT-8^[33]	200 in	75 in	58 in	120 in	4,270 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 300 model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1999	351	3
2000	242	6
2001	91	3
2002	83	1
2003	33	0
2004	73	1
2005	1,125	7
2006	1,750	4
2007	624	5
2008	758	4
2009	95	5
2010	138	7
2011	225	7
2012	441	9
2013	341	6
2014	248	7
2015	111	4
2016	83	2
2017	86	2
2018	153	4
2019	61	2
2020	10	2
2021	20	2
2022	5	2
2023	6	1

NHTSA's counts for the 300 show 441 complaints and 9 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 25 model years listed, 20 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 4 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (5) and the most are for 2006 (1,750)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 300?

This car's complaint record is led by one group. The electrical system leads the list by a wide margin^[2]. Air bags and the power train come next^[6]^[7]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so treat the counts as a guide to where owners ran into trouble and not as a score^[1]. Check the recall section on this page and ask a dealer which repairs have been done on any car you consider.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chrysler 300?: The electrical system has the most complaints, with 219^[2]. Air bags follow with 83^[6], then the power train with 80^[7].
Does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data lists 9 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints has the 2012 Chrysler 300 had?: NHTSA has 441 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?: The record is mixed. The electrical system is the biggest complaint group^[2], and air bags and the power train also draw reports^[6]^[7]. See the by-year section for how this year compares.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Chrysler 300?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Chrysler 300

2006 1,750 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 this page
2013 341 complaints, 6 recalls
2014 248 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 111 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 153 complaints, 4 recalls
2020 10 complaints, 2 recalls
2023 6 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Chrysler 300

Other Chrysler models from 2012

2012 Chrysler 200 638 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Chrysler Town and Country 634 complaints, 5 recalls

All Chrysler models

Similar cars from 2012: large cars

2012 BMW 7 Series 51 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Hyundai Genesis 271 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 Hyundai Sonata 1,712 complaints, 11 recalls

All large cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 441 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Chrysler 300 (24 mention a crash, 36 a fire, 13 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
219 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 32 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,441). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Chrysler 300 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 300, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
83 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
80 complaints name the power train component group (8 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
66 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,250). NHTSA vehicle records
33 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,500). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V021, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V435, filed July 10, 2017: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V240, filed April 25, 2016: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V634, filed October 8, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V118, filed April 3, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V197, filed May 2, 2012: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V004, filed January 6, 2012: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 300, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 300, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,000. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 300 AWD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 300 AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chrysler 300 with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 292 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chrysler 300 with 5.7L 8-cylinder: rated 359 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Chrysler 300 with 6.4L 8-cylinder: rated 470 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN 300C AWD: length 199 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,513 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN 300C RWD: length 199 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,270 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN BASE/LIMITED: length 199 in, width 75 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,962 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 SRT-8: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,270 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.

2012 Chrysler 300: problems, recalls and fuel economy