Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler 300 vs Toyota Camry
How the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chrysler 300 vs Toyota Camry: The Chrysler 300 averages 74.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Chrysler 300 has 0 deaths and 43 injuries; the Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler 300 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size sedan that averages about 75 complaints per year, with electrical system issues being the most common. Owners frequently report sudden shutdowns while driving, rear differential failures, and airbag concerns. These problems can leave you stranded or compromise safety, so a thorough inspection is critical.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—but many are for less severe issues like brake noise or infotainment glitches. However, power train and engine complaints are also common, including hesitation and key removal problems. The higher count means you should be extra diligent when shopping.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler 300 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 746 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 31 | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 59 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 74.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 43 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chrysler 300
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM221
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER156
- 03POWER TRAIN135
- 04AIR BAGS100
- 05ENGINE54
Owners report the vehicle shutting down completely while driving, with a 'SERVICE SHIFTER' message and loss of power. This can happen at any speed and may require towing, making it a serious safety risk.
Complaints include rear differential failure before 100,000 miles, where the part falls off and the car won't move. Others describe sudden deceleration and warnings to shift into park, indicating transmission control problems.
Some owners experienced brake failure leading to crashes, and Takata airbag recalls are noted. The airbag inflator may not deploy correctly, increasing injury risk in a collision.
Issues like door panels pulling away from the doors and console are reported, which could affect side airbag effectiveness. This is a structural concern that may worsen over time.
“This issue has been going on since February 2024. The vehicle will completely shutdown while driving ( no matter what speed I'm going ) it will say SERVICE THE SHIFTER and stop. The first time this happened I took (towed bc vehicle willl have no power since t…”
“1. Rear differential failed before 100,000 miles. I was driving and I heard something metal fall in the back of the car. I pressed gas but was not able to move. After inspection and call for help, the part that fell on the ground was the rear differential. Ho…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine control issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Also, a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common, which some dealers say is normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce safety.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chrysler 300 — 31 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause t…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengagi…
The risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysle…
The risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-8…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
The risk: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T0…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler 300 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chrysler 300 has far fewer complaints per year (about 75 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its issues tend to be more severe, such as sudden shutdowns and differential failures. The Camry's higher complaint count includes many less critical problems, but it also has serious power train and engine complaints. In practice, the Chrysler 300 may leave you stranded more often, while the Camry may have more frequent but sometimes less dangerous annoyances.
Key differences
- The Chrysler 300 has about one-third the complaints per year of the Camry, but its electrical shutdowns and differential failures can be catastrophic.
- The Camry's most common complaints are power train and engine hesitation, which can affect drivability but may not cause immediate danger.
- Airbag and brake failures leading to crashes are reported in the Chrysler 300, while the Camry has more complaints about brake noise and electronic parking brake issues.
- The Chrysler 300 has 0 deaths in the data, while the Camry has 1 death, but both have significant injury counts (43 vs. 158).
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: test all electronics, look for warning messages like 'SERVICE SHIFTER', and ask if the car has ever shut down while driving.
- Inspect the rear differential for leaks or unusual noises, and test drive at highway speeds to feel for sudden deceleration or transmission problems.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, and verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for airbags and electrical system.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, differential, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission fluid changes and brake service.
- Verify that all safety systems (airbags, brakes, stability control) are functioning correctly before purchase.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Chrysler 300 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 64 |
| 2022 | 5 | 61 |
| 2021 | 20 | 157 |
| 2020 | 10 | 274 |
| 2019 | 60 | 395 |
| 2018 | 153 | 744 |
| 2017 | 82 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chrysler 300 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler 300 vs Toyota Camry
- Chrysler 300 total complaints
- 746
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chrysler 300 total recalls
- 31
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chrysler 300 avg complaints/year
- 74.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler 300
- Chrysler 300 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN