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2018 Chrysler 300: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chrysler 300[1], and our data lists four recalls for it[2][3][4][5]. Electrical complaints are the largest named group[6], and the newest recall, for side curtain air bags, and the newest recall, for side curtain air bags, covers 284,982 vehicles[2]..
Most reported problems
Of the 153 complaints, 6 mention a crash, none a fire, 7 mention injuries and none a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners. One complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below overlap.
- Electrical System, 69 complaints. The median mileage at failure is 22,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries[6]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 7 describe the touchscreen, radio and navigation acting on their own, losing settings or showing a delaminated screen[6].
- Unknown or other, 53 complaints[10]. These reports do not point to one clear component. The median mileage is 15,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries[10].
- Power Train, 17 complaints. The median mileage is 21,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries[11]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 7 describe rough shifting, such as jolts, hard shifts, trouble getting into gear or the car moving the wrong way[11]. Another 5 describe hesitation or a loss of power when accelerating[11]. Some texts fit both.
- Air Bags, 14 complaints. Three involve a crash and four involve injuries[12]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash, 4 describe warping door panels and worry about air bags, and 3 are from owners told that parts for the 2024 air bag recall were not yet available[12].
- Exterior Lighting, 9 complaints. One involves a crash[13]. In the 9 complaints we read, 3 describe a headlight assembly that failed or took in water, and 3 describe the touchscreen display layers separating[13].
Structure (7 complaints, 1 crash), Back Over Prevention (6 complaints, 1 crash, 1 injury) and Engine (5 complaints, none with a crash) are small groups[14][15][16]. They do not show a pattern on their own.
Recalls
Four recalls are on file for this car, newest first. Recall ids are NHTSA campaign numbers.
- Remedy pending
Side curtain air bags (24V198). Issued March 14, 2024[2]. The inflators in the left and right side curtain air bags may rupture because of a manufacturing defect. Metal fragments could hit people in the car and cause injury or death[2]. The remedy is for dealers to replace both side curtain air bags free of charge, and owner letters began going out February 20, 2025[2]. The recall covers 284,982 vehicles across the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300[2]. Some owners in our complaint sample say they were told the repair parts were not yet available[12]. Ask a dealer about parts before you count on a quick repair. - Engine computer chip (18V524). Issued August 9, 2018[3]. A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module may fail. That can make the car stall or not start, and a stall raises crash risk[3]. Dealers replace the module free of charge. The recall covers 12,779 vehicles across many Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat models[3].
- Cruise control (18V332). Issued May 17, 2018[4]. A short circuit in the wiring could stop the cruise control from switching off, even with the brake or the off switch. The car could hold its speed or speed up, which raises crash risk[4]. Dealers inspect the software and install a software update free of charge[4]. The recall covers 4,815,661 vehicles across many models[4]. Until the update is done, the recall notice advises owners to stop using cruise control[4].
- Park lock rod (18V280). Issued May 1, 2018[5]. A wrong park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission, so the car may not stay in Park and could roll[5]. Dealers install the correct rod free of charge. Only 71 vehicles are covered[5].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on engine and drive. Yearly fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl, rear-wheel drive, regular[8] | 19 / 30 / 23 | $2,900 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive, regular[17] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl, rear-wheel drive, midgrade[18] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,000 |
All three use an 8-speed automatic[8][18][17]. EPA also lists the 3.6L versions with the fuel given as gasoline or E85, with the same ratings[19][20].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door sedan 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover[9][21]. The rollover risk is 11.3%[9][21]. The ratings are the same for the rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.
Engine and size
EPA lists two engines for the 2018 300[22][23]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated at 292 hp[22]. The 5.7L 8-cylinder is rated at 359 hp[23].
Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Every variant listed is 199 in long, 75 in wide and 59 in tall, with a 120 in wheelbase[24][25][26]. Curb weight differs:
How 2018 compares with other years
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 |
The 2018 model year has 153 complaints and 4 recalls on file[7]. Among the model years 2015 to 2023, that is the most complaints. The others range from 5 (2022) to 111 (2015), and 2015 is the only other year with 4 recalls[7]. Looking further back, 10 model years have more complaints than 2018, including 2005 with 1,125 and 2006 with 1,750[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide only.
Should you buy a used 2018 Chrysler 300?
The data shows 153 complaints and four recalls, so a few things are worth checking[1][2][3][4][5]. Four recalls apply[2][3][4][5], so ask for proof that each was done, and ask a dealer whether the 2024 air bag repair is available for the specific car. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe screen and radio glitches and some rough shifting, though these are small samples and not proof of how common they are[6][11]. The 3.6L version rates 23 MPG combined, while the 5.7L rates 19 MPG and costs more to fuel[8][18]. Crash ratings are 4 stars overall[9][21].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chrysler 300?
- Electrical System is the largest group with 69 of 153 complaints[1][6]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe screen and radio glitches[6]. Power train complaints number 17, and owners in our sample describe rough shifting[11].
- Does the 2018 Chrysler 300 have recalls?
- Yes. Four recalls are on file: 24V198 (side curtain air bags), 18V524 (engine computer), 18V332 (cruise control) and 18V280 (park lock rod)[2][3][4][5].
- What gas mileage does the 2018 Chrysler 300 get?
- The 3.6L rear-wheel drive version is rated 19 city, 30 highway and 23 combined MPG[8]. The 5.7L is rated 16, 25 and 19[18]. The all-wheel drive 3.6L is rated 18, 27 and 21[17].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chrysler 300 (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 24V198, filed March 14, 2024: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain › Inflator. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V524, filed August 9, 2018: Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V280, filed May 1, 2018: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- 69 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). 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, Regular, 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 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the back over prevention component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for 300 AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 8-spd, Regular, All-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 8-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, 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
- 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 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Chrysler 300 with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 292 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Chrysler 300 with 5.7L 8-cylinder: rated 359 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 300 4DR SEDAN HEMI 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 V6 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 V6 RWD: 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