Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler 300C vs FORD F 150
How the Chrysler 300C and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chrysler 300C vs FORD F 150: The 300C has 25 complaints over 7 years (3.6/yr) versus the F-150's 11,311 over 10 years (1,131/yr). The 300C's main issues are electrical and fuel system, while the F-150 suffers from transmission and electrical problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler 300C or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler 300C
The Chrysler 300C, in ownership terms, is a full-size sedan that presents a moderate number of complaints (25 over 7 years, about 3.6 per year) but with a clear concentration in electrical and engine issues. Owners report stalling, loss of power steering, and warning lights, which can make the car feel unreliable. Fuel system problems, like fuel odors and a cracked fuel pump, add to safety concerns, while air bag recalls (including Takata) are a serious but addressable issue.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a popular full-size pickup, shows a much higher complaint volume (11,311 over 10 years, about 1,131 per year) and a higher rate of crashes and injuries. The dominant issue is the powertrain, especially the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard shifting, jerking, and even losing power. Electrical problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also frequent, making the truck feel less dependable despite its popularity.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler 300C | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 25 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.6 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 287 |
| 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 300C
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- 02ENGINE6
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
- 04AIR BAGS3
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
Owners report stalling, loss of power steering, and multiple warning lights (check engine, StabiliTrak, hazard) illuminating, sometimes accompanied by grinding sounds from the wheel wells. This suggests a systemic electrical issue that can affect drivability and safety.
The 5.7L Hemi engine is known for a loud 'Hemi tick' caused by hydraulic lifter issues, which can be annoying and may indicate wear. Some owners also report the engine not starting or surging unexpectedly, though the cause is unclear.
Fuel odors inside the cabin after refueling and a cracked fuel pump (located under the rear seat) are reported. These pose a fire risk and expose occupants to fuel vapors, a serious safety concern.
Takata air bag recalls are prominent, with owners noting the air bag warning light on and difficulty getting replacement parts. This is a known safety defect that requires prompt attention.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300C. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITRAK, AND HAZARD WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A SMOKE ODOR…”
“The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300C. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering on several occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle required to be jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10R80 transmission is a major source of complaints, with owners experiencing hard shifts, jerks, clunks, and even sudden loss of power while driving. This can be dangerous in traffic and indicates a reliability problem.
Many owners report warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on startup, along with other electrical glitches. These can disable safety features and be frustrating.
Headlight issues are common, with recalls and complaints about poor visibility or malfunctioning lights, which can compromise nighttime driving safety.
Engine problems, while less frequent than transmission issues, include stalling and other failures that can leave drivers stranded.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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 300C — 7 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler 300C or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Chrysler 300C has far fewer complaints per year (3.6 vs. 1,131) and fewer recalls, suggesting a lower rate of reported issues. However, its problems are still serious, especially electrical and fuel system failures. In practice, the 300C may be less likely to need frequent repairs, but the F-150's issues are more widespread and can affect its core function as a work truck.
Key differences
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate (1,131/yr) compared to the 300C (3.6/yr), indicating a higher likelihood of encountering problems.
- The F-150's transmission issues (hard shifts, loss of power) are more safety-critical than the 300C's engine tick, which is more of a nuisance.
- The 300C has fuel system problems that can cause cabin odors and fire risk, while the F-150 has more electrical and lighting issues.
- Both have air bag recalls, but the 300C's are Takata-related, while the F-150's include other components.
- Check for fuel odors inside the cabin, especially after a full tank, and inspect the fuel pump area under the rear seat for cracks.
- Listen for a loud ticking from the engine on startup, which could indicate lifter issues in the Hemi.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for hard shifts or clunks from the transmission, especially between 4th-6th gears.
- Check for warning lights like 'Front Camera Malfunction' or 'Pre-Collision Assist Not Available' on startup.
Before you buy
- For the 300C: verify that all air bag recalls have been completed, especially the Takata inflator replacement.
- For the 300C: have a mechanic inspect the fuel system for leaks or cracks, and check for any electrical gremlins by testing all accessories.
- For the F-150: get a transmission fluid analysis and a thorough test drive to assess shift quality.
- For the F-150: check the vehicle's recall history and ensure any outstanding recalls are fixed.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report and have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
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 300C or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler 300C vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler 300C total complaints
- 25
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Chrysler 300C total recalls
- 7
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Chrysler 300C avg complaints/year
- 3.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler 300C
- Chrysler 300C top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN