The Lemon Index2012 Chrysler 300.
The 2012 Chrysler 300 is worse than average by owner complaints: 111 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 145, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 17 to 23 mpg combined. The best Chrysler 300 year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 426 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chrysler 300 year. 2012 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 42K to 83K miles on the car (300 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 50K–86K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–90K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 36K–74K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2019
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2017
The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to …
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- airbags 2013
The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
- service brakes, air 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES.
- tires 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8 AND THE CHRYSLER 300 SRT8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR V…
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 261 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
- Oil Pump Assembly If error code P06DD present on any Pentastar V6 application, please inspect…
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
- ClosedVehicle rollaway, engine on2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 300 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chrysler 300 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Was driving down the road and car started making a noise. Pulled over and popped the hood and smelled burning of plastic. Alternator was smoking. Had to have towed home.
2012 Chrysler 300 owner · NHTSA complaint 10655292
More owner reports
First my car displayed "battery saver mode", next the radio shuts off, the abs, ebs, and check engine light comes on, then the car automatically and completely shuts off with no other warning.
NHTSA complaint 10680266
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 145; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler 300 year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Chrysler 300 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (56%), engine (16%) and airbags (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have?
9 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 2012 Chrysler 300 get?
17 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler 300 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,100 and 83,800 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 300 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chrysler 300 cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Chrysler 300 year is better than the 2012?
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