Chrysler 300C Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chrysler 300C options? We analyzed 7 model years (2005–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chrysler 300C has 25 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2005–2011. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
- Make
- Chrysler
- Model
- 300C
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2011 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 25
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2011 (25 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Good
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe CHRYSLER 300C has 25 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 25 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- No crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 25 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
25 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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 be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle failed to start, and the dealer informed the contact that the battery replacement was required prior to a diagnostic test. The contact declined to pay for a new battery. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, upon inspection, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair was not applicable due to the installation of an aftermarket alternator. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to not retrieve from the dealer until the issue was resolved. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler 300C. The contact stated that the power steering function was inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) and 16V352000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred with the steering. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
the alternator that was supposedly recalled and fixed broke once again.
Airbag light stays on. Afraid to drive car that the air bag will not deploy in case of accident or go off unexpectedly. I noticed it before I put the car in drive. Came on while idling.
The alternator went out for the third time The car just died going down the highway The problem was confirmed by the dealership no warning lights at all We had the recall done once then I had to repair it and now it's out again
The vehicle has a continental system in it that I cannot explain where it came from or how it ended up in the vehicle and it has caused my vehicle to drive horribly and it will not even start a times and it has even sped out of control at times it does not allow the air system meaning heat and air conditioning to work or the touch screen and it causes all kinds of weird noises in the vehicle also has a system called autoliv in it which is something Daimler which is not part of Christ anymore I found out at this time
Read 14 more owner reports
After filling the car with gasoline, I get a strong odor of gasoline in the cabin of the car. After the fuel level gets to about 7/8 full the issue goes away. After further inspection the odor seems to be strongest in the passenger side aft wheel well. Excessive fuel vapors are harmful to people and could cause explosion or fire.
The car won't tell me when I'm too close to another vehicle now and I can't use the cruise control either and the steering wheel is shaking while driving
The problem I have is with the engine coolant system and the vehicles electrical system the cooling system is not operating the way that is supposed to be in the electrical system keeps malfunctioning the check engine light keeps coming on and off the car is not idling the way that is supposed to be idling I’ve already replaced the humidity control module three timesAnd when I’m on the highway if I go to fast the front of the car start shaking
FUEL TANKS ARE BAD AND ALWAYS OUT OF STOCK.
TOLD TIPM MODULE MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,000.00. HAVE HAD PAST INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH WINDOWS ROLLING UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN, DOORS LOCKING & UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN, AIR CONDITIONING INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND BURNED OUT ALTERNATOR. INCIDENCES HAVE HAPPENED WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, ON HIGHWAY. LATEST INCIDENCE WAS AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE ON 4/26/19.
THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT WITH BAD LIFTERS. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING , BAD FUEL FUMES AND SHUTS THE GAS OFF . I HAVE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID GETTING HIT . THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE IS A BACKORDER ON LIFTERS 6 MONTHS. I NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT VERY FAR BECAUSE OF THE GAS FUMES AND THE WORRY OF BREAKING DOWN . NEED SOME ANSWERS ASAP!
HELLO, I AM CURRENTLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY 5.7 HEMI IN MY CHRYSLER 300. I AM FACING ISSUES WITH THE NOTORIOUS 'HEMI TICK' AND IT HAS GOTTEN OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD AND ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED AGAINST A BUILDING OR ON START UP. THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS ON THE 5.7 ENGINES ARE KNOWN TO FAIL WHETHER ITS IN DODGE CHRYSLER OR RAM VEHICLES THE VEHICLES RUNS PERFECTLY FINE, IDLES PERFECTLY FINE. I HAVE NEVER ONCE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE LIFTERS THAT I'M SOON GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE WHICH IN RESULT MAY HAVE EVEN DAMAGED MY CAMSHAFT. MY VEHICLE HAS 83K MILES ON IT AND FEELS LIKE IT COULD GO A LOT LONGER IF MYSELF AND OTHER V8 OWNERS UNDER CHRYSLER DIDN'T HAVE THE HYDRAULIC LIFTER/ CAMSHAFT FAILURES COSTING $1000S OF DOLLARS IN PARTS AND LABOR
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 AND THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. THE SMOKE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE AUTOMATIC LOCK FEATURE. THE REMOTE START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HER SPOUSE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. EARNHARDT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 1521 E DRIVERS WAY, GILBERT, AZ 85297, (480) 926-4000) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,900.
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE HWY SPEED, NO BRAKES....TIMING CHAIN BREAK MASSIVE DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THANKFULLY THIS HAPPENED AT 130 IN THE MORNING! FCA NOT WARRANTING A RECALL WARRANTY.
CERTAIN CHRYSLER 300C THAT WERE MANUFACTURED DURING THE YEAR 2011 THAT ARE NOT LISTED AS A SPECIFIC 2011 SHOULD BE LISTED IN THE DATA BASE AS FOR RECALLS WITH THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: ABS/ESC SYSTEM. THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THE DRIVE SHAFT HEAT SHIELD. IT SHOWS TO INTERFERE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE BY ACCELERATING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHRYSLER 300C. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BATTERY AND FCW OFF INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND WENT BLANK. ADDITIONALLY, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEMPSEY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP II (1000 E US HIGHWAY, PLANO, IL 60546) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
RECALL 17V-435 FOR ALTERNATOR DIODE POTENTIAL FIRE HAS BEEN OUT SINCE JUNE OF 2007. WE SIGNED ONTO THE LIST TO BE NOTIFIED OF WHEN THE PARTS ARE IN, BUT WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. LOOKING NOW, WE SEE THAT THE STATUS STILL SHOWS AWAITING PARTS. SO, THIS IS A FOLLOWUP COMPLAINT THAT IF THIS IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL, WE ARE NOW IN THE 6TH MONTH FOLLOWING. DOESN'T NHTSA THINK ENOUGH TIME HAS ELAPSED TO HAVE THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY HAZARD?
AFTER FILLING TANK WITH FUEL, CAR SMELLS FROM FUEL. FUEL VAPOR COMES OUT AC VENTS, FILLS CABIN. VERY BAD AFTER SITTING PARKED. ODOR FADES AND STOPS WHEN FUEL LEVEL REACHES ABOUT 7/8 OF A TANK. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND MECHANIC SAYS HE FOUND FUEL ON TOP OF STARBOARD FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP MOUNTING BRACKET HAS HAIRLINE CRACKS IN IT. NEEDS COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ONE RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP SEAL ARE RECORDED IN FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REPAIR PARTS. APPARENTLY CHRYSLER (NOT NHTSB?) IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THE LOCAL DEALER ORDERED 500 REPLACEMENT UNITS FOR INVENTORY. VEHICLE IS IN NY AND MECHANIC FOUND 1 (ONE) AVAILABLE FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. I WOULD SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART.
FUEL PUMP CRACKED AT TOP OF FUEL PUMP. CAR HAS LOW MILAGE 11,300 AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WE FEEL IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE PUMP. THE PUMPS SIT UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF CAR. DANGEROUS TO THINK OF PEOPLE SITTING ON TOP OF THEM. WE EVEN HAD TO GET RID OF THE AWFUL GAS SMELL. OUR CAR HAD SIT IN THE GARAGE AND WE ARE SO THANKFUL THE GAS FURNACE OR SOMETHING ELSE DID NOT IGNITE THE GAS STANDING ON TOP OF PUMP
Showing 20 of 25 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chrysler 300C
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chrysler 300C, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chrysler 300C has 25 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chrysler 300C has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 0 of the Chrysler 300C's 25 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chrysler 300C vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chrysler 300C vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chrysler 300C has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Chrysler 300C stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Chrysler 300C by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chrysler 300C.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chrysler 300C reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chrysler 300C reliable?
Good. The Chrysler 300C has 25 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chrysler 300C years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2011 (25 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chrysler 300C problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11 complaints); ENGINE (6 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints).
Does the Chrysler 300C have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chrysler 300C. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.