The Lemon Index2008 Chrysler 300.
The 2008 Chrysler 300 is better than average by owner complaints: 42 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 55, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chrysler 300 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 757 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chrysler 300 year. 2008 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 50K to 106K miles on the car (392 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 56K–108K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 43K–127K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 70K–115K miles
Recalls 4
- 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.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions.
Show all 4 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 5,509 MY 2008 300, DODGE MAGNUM, AND CHARGER VEHICLES.
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 81 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Drivers And/Or Passenger Front Power Door Locks And Windows Inoperative U0200 Lost Communication
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
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
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The engine goes to idle and will not accelerate. This usually happens when engine is worming up. This has happened about 10 times.
2008 Chrysler 300 owner · NHTSA complaint 10310640
More owner reports
Car will jump forward or stop when driving. This started after about 8,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10268725
Motor of the fan heater make a big noise, will be replace under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 10392245
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chrysler 300 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler 300 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Chrysler 300 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (29%), transmission & drivetrain (26%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chrysler 300 have?
4 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 2008 Chrysler 300 get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler 300 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 106,400 miles. The middle report was at 78,000 miles, from 392 complaints.
Does the 2008 Chrysler 300 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 26% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Chrysler 300 cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chrysler 300 have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Chrysler 300 year is better than the 2008?
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