NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture or explode.
This page covers 9 recalls, 424 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Chrysler 300.
18–23 mpg combined
10.2–13.1 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2012 Chrysler 300, the electrical system draws the most complaints by a wide margin, with owners describing a range of issues including instrument cluster malfunctions, intermittent power losses, and rearview camera failures. The powertrain is the second most-reported system, where owners describe unexpected gear shifts, including the transmission dropping into neutral while driving at highway speeds. Airbag complaints form the third notable cluster, with multiple owners reporting that front airbags failed to deploy during collisions, sometimes in crashes they describe as significant enough to total the vehicle. Engine temperature irregularities also come up across several reports, with owners noting the gauge climbing unexpectedly during normal driving before the vehicle is shut down and restarted.
424
Total Complaints
24
Crash-Related
34
Fire-Related
11
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Chrysler 300 has 9 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury or death.
Two separate transmission recalls address a related danger: the gear selector can be left in a position other than Park without the driver realizing it, and if they exit the vehicle, it can roll and strike them. On the electrical side, the alternator can fail without warning, causing the engine to stall, and in some cases the alternator can short circuit and start a fire. A separate wiring issue in the power distribution center can cause the anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control to stop working, reducing the driver's ability to maintain control in an emergency. The seat side-airbag wiring harness on some vehicles has improperly sized terminal crimps, which can cause those airbags to fail in a crash. Finally, on SRT8 trim vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system does not alert the driver when a tire drops 25 percent below the recommended pressure, which can lead to overheating and a blowout.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture or explode.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
The passenger frontal air bag inflator will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The alternator may suddenly fail in vehicles with electro-hydraulic power steering, 5.7L or 3.6L engines, and 160, 180, or 220 amp alternators.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your alternator and replace it if necessary at no charge, based on the part number.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may fail or deploy unexpectedly, potentially injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shift position display may not clearly warn drivers when the transmission isn't in Park. If a driver exits with the engine running and parking brake not set, the vehicle can move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Software will be updated to add protective features that help prevent accidental vehicle movement when the driver exits.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle may not alert the driver when the door opens while the transmission is not in PARK, potentially allowing the driver to exit while the vehicle is in gear.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software to reduce the risk of unintended vehicle movement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat side-airbag wiring harness connectors may be incorrectly sized, causing the side-airbags to fail to deploy and the airbag warning light to turn on.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power distribution center may overheat, causing the ABS and electronic stability control systems to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse to prevent overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system alerts the driver too late. It warns at 22 PSI instead of the required 24 PSI, missing the point when a tire is 25 percent below recommended pressure.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the tire pressure monitoring system to alert at the correct pressure. This service is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
