The Lemon Index2005 Chrysler 300.
The 2005 Chrysler 300 is worse than average by owner complaints: 218 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 123, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chrysler 300 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,125 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chrysler 300 year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 116K miles on the car (765 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 25K–121K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 51K–114K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 63K–137K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- airbags 2014
Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S.
Show all 7 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 42RLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE CUP PLUG THAT RETAINS THE PARK PAWL ANCHOR SHAFT MAY BE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.
- electrical 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE FASTENERS AT THE BULKHEAD STUD MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
- seat belts 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FRONT SHOULDER BELT ADJUSTABLE TURNING LOOP (ATL) BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
- seat belts 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A SPOT WELDING OPERATION FOR THE REAR FLOORPAN REINFORCEMENT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chrysler told dealers about
Chrysler sent dealers 119 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Shudder during shifts
- Nag1 (w5a580) transmission - shudder when torque converter clutch engages
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving at any speed the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle had been to the dealer four times for this problem. The dealer claimed that the vehicle's alignment won't allow them to eliminate the veering to the right.
2005 Chrysler 300 owner · NHTSA complaint 10081944
More owner reports
Car has been out of alinement since day of purchase. Have had it worked on by dealer multiple times, by multiple dealers. Was told that was as good as it was going to get.
NHTSA complaint 10090736
300 c fails to start after four dealer attempts to fix what was diagnosed as an "electrical problem" - a fifth occurrances documented on 9/4/07 is yet to be resolved by dealer since car parked inside garage will not start
NHTSA complaint 10202057
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chrysler 300 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler 300 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Chrysler 300 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (18%), suspension (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chrysler 300 have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chrysler 300 get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chrysler 300 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 36,400 and 116,000 miles. The middle report was at 76,000 miles, from 765 complaints.
Does the 2005 Chrysler 300 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chrysler 300 cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chrysler 300 have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Chrysler 300 year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2016 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works