2012 Chrysler 300 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 6, 2026 · 426 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 300 years
Far more complaints than other years 5th of 20 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 300. That ranks 5th out of 20 300 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (212 complaints, 50%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 24 crashes, 34 fires, 13 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Chrysler 300
Chrysler 300 SRT8 (LX) Washington DC. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2012 Chrysler 300 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System212 · ~70,000 mi
Air Bags83 · ~67,000 mi
Power Train79 · ~58,000 mi
Engine58 · ~63,206 mi
Service Brakes28 · ~59,964 mi
Steering28 · ~59,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)24 · ~63,000 mi
Unknown or Other24 · ~63,750 mi
Vehicle Speed Control17 · ~56,000 mi
Exterior Lighting14 · ~22,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems21250%70,000“included electrical” (16%)—
Air Bags problems8319%67,000“air bag” (34%)—
Power Train problems7919%58,000“park position” (14%)—
Engine problems5814%63,206“pedal depressed” (9%)—
Service Brakes287%59,964——
Steering287%59,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)246%63,000——
Unknown or Other246%63,750——
Vehicle Speed Control174%56,000——
Exterior Lighting143%22,000——
Fuel/propulsion System113%140,000——
Structure72%2,750——
Seat Belts61%65,000——
Visibility/wiper51%37,240——
Engine and Engine Cooling41%12,480——
Suspension41%64,825——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31%89,000——
Seats20%26,500——
Service Brakes, Air20%76,000——
Tires20%41,961——
Wheels20%100,000——
Interior Lighting10%1,800——
Latches/locks/linkages10%60,172——
Traction Control System10%61,000——
Visibility10%3,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2016, with 108 complaints
2011: 1201112012: 12122013: 112013112014: 26262015: 612015612016: 1081082017: 852017852018: 40402019: 342019342020: 14142021: 6202162022: 12122023: 5202352024: 222025: 4202542026: 55

n = 426 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Chrysler 300 recalls (9)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 15, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorJul 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 442,214 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. 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. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveMay 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 25, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V240000 · 811,290 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. 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 exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorOct 8, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 435,081 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Air bagsApr 3, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V118000 · 119,497 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.

Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/moduleMay 2, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V197000 · 119,072 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles may lose abs/esc system function due to an overheated power distribution center.

Risk: This could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the abs/esc system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 18, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systemsJan 6, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V004000 · 303 vehicles

Problem: 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 vehicle safety standard number 138, "tire pressure monitoring system" (tpms). As built, the tpms does not warn the driver when a tire is 25 percent below the recommended pressure. The recalled vehicles notify the customers when the tire pressure reaches 22 psi rather than the required 24 psi.

Risk: Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicleâ’s tpms. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 2, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Vehicle rollaway, engine on (EA16002) — opened Feb 3, 2016, closed Jun 24, 2016, led to recall 16V240000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Vehicle received passenger airbag inflator recall service at Viva CDJR in El Paso, TX. The dash disassembly disturbed adjacent wiring/BCM connections, and after driving, vibration caused a short/ground fault, creating runaway wipers, A/C failure, transmission limp mode, check engine and power…

Air Bags · received Sep 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762499

Gas fumes filled the cabin. I am suffering from headaches from smelling in fumes. This is dangerous and health issues. The gas tank is under passage back seat and costs $2,235 to replace primary and transfer pumps. Is this covered by a recall?

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jul 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11753770

I was involved in a hit and run on March 2,2026 and the airbags did not deploy at all. My car was taken to ray lathem dealership when there was a recall pertaining to the airbags back in 2019. I was told everything was corrected. Now fast forward to March 2,2026 no airbags deployed at all from the…

Air Bags · received Mar 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11725705

Parking aid camera failed

Unknown or Other · received Mar 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11724432

Date: February 22, 2026 VIA CERTIFIED MAIL FCA US LLC Customer Care P.O. Box 21-8004 Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004 RE: FORMAL COMPLAINT – Safety Defect (Rearview Camera Failure) Vehicle 1: 2012 Chrysler 300S (VIN: [XXX] ) Vehicle 2: 2018 Chrysler 300S (VIN: [XXX] ) To the Chrysler Customer Care…

Electrical System · received Feb 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719769

Other Chrysler 300 years

← 2011 300 · 2013 300 →

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chrysler 300?

Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 212 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chrysler 300?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2012 Chrysler 300 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 300 model years, the 2012 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.