PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Chrysler 300 airbags problems
severe 285 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
285
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
26crashes
1fire
31injuries
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Chrysler 300 we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 285.
Owners have filed 285 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION IS NOW OFFERING A PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION WIRING PACKAGE. TO INCLUDE 2006 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND 300/TOURING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Chrysler 300s describe two overlapping safety crises: defective Takata airbag inflators and a collapsing recall remedy.
The inflator defect manifests in two ways. Some vehicles deploy their airbags normally but spew metal shrapnel—owners report fragments lodging in chests, causing punctured lungs and fractured necks. Other vehicles fail to deploy entirely during crashes severe enough that comparable vehicles with functioning airbags protect their occupants; unprotected owners sustained shoulder, neck, leg, and back injuries. One owner's airbags never deployed in a head-on collision at 35 mph; another's failed during a rear-end impact at a traffic light. Multiple owners report airbag warning lights illuminating intermittently or staying on after claimed repairs.
The recall—issued in multiple campaigns (15V313000, 14V817000, 16V352000)—has largely failed to deliver. Owners report calling dealerships only to be told replacement inflators are unavailable, period. Those who get on waiting lists hear estimates of three months to several years. Dealerships report receiving only one or two parts weekly despite multiple mechanics available. Some owners discovered that online parts vendors could source replacements in days, yet dealerships remained part-starved for years. Owners report being placed on indefinite waiting lists with no promised repair date; the manufacturer could not provide timelines. Meanwhile, owners drive with known defective inflators.
Service barriers compound the problem. Dealerships have demanded liability waivers before performing recall service; one Chrysler attorney conditioned repair on a full bodily-injury release, then withheld the vehicle for over a year. Other dealerships refuse appointments altogether, claim parts unavailable while nearby dealers have stock, or insist repairs will require multi-day vehicle surrender despite recall notices stating two hours.
One documented case describes a complete failure of recall accountability: a vehicle received defective Takata inflators as replacements for defective Takata inflators, a bait-and-switch the owner discovered only by reading press coverage.
Same Chrysler 300 airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture / Metal Fragmentation
Airbag inflators rupture or fragment during deployment or suspected failure, scattering metal shrapnel into driver/passenger cabin. One case documented punctured lungs and fractured neck from metal fragments.
When: At various mileages; recalls issued 2015–2016
Symptoms owners cite: Metal shrapnel visible after deployment; Chest, rib, and lung punctures after airbag deployment; Fractured neck from metal fragments
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 15V313000, NHTSA Campaign 14V817000, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls issued but replacement parts chronically unavailable; multiple vehicles waiting months to years for repair parts; dealerships reportedly receiving only 1–2 parts per week, creating backlog of thousands of vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple Takata airbag recalls (15V313000, 14V817000, 16V352000); some dealers replaced defective Takata inflators with other defective Takata units before safe non-Takata alternatives became available; no clear timeline provided for remedy completion.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Impact
Front airbags fail to deploy during crashes of sufficient severity. In multiple incidents, vehicles struck head-on or rear-ended at 25–50 mph resulted in no airbag deployment, leaving occupants without protection.
When: At various mileages between 20,000 and 150,000; incidents occurred before, during, or after recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in head-on collisions at 35 mph; No airbag deployment in rear-impact crashes at traffic lights; No deployment when swerving to avoid animals or obstacles; Occupant injuries (neck, shoulder, back, leg injuries) due to lack of restraint
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 15V313000, NHTSA Campaign 14V817000, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: Many vehicles not repaired before failure; independent repair shops unable or unwilling to diagnose airbag faults; manufacturer provided no assistance for injuries sustained in crashes involving non-deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued but repair backlogs prevented timely service; manufacturer stated there was 'nothing they could do' when contacted after non-deployment failures.
Airbag Warning Light Illumination / Circuit Faults
Airbag warning indicator illuminates intermittently or persistently, signaling underlying system faults. Owners report warning light remaining on even after recalled repair work claimed completion.
When: Intermittently during driving or continuously after repair; mileage 40,000–150,000
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently; Warning light accompanied by beeping noise; Warning light remains on after recall repair completed; Owner uncertainty about system safety
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning indicator, NHTSA Campaign 15V313000, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose; independent mechanics declined to investigate; recalls incomplete, leaving warning active.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 15V313000 and 16V352000 issued but parts unavailable; no follow-up diagnostics offered for warning-light persistence after repair.
Recall Parts Shortage / Extended Service Delays
Replacement inflators unavailable for extended periods despite official recall notices. Owners report waiting months to years for parts; dealerships place vehicles on indefinite waiting lists with no firm repair dates.
When: 2015–2017+; ongoing since initial recall notices issued May 2015 and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer informed owner parts unavailable when recall repair appointment requested; Waiting lists extending 3–6 months to multiple years; Only 1–2 recall repairs per week per dealership due to part scarcity; No estimated delivery date provided by manufacturer or dealer; Owners forced to drive vehicles with known defective inflators while awaiting repairs
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 15V313000, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers report parts not supplied; owners cite that online parts vendors had inflators available for order within days, suggesting dealership supply-chain disconnect; some owners noted they could have purchased replacement parts independently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler and NHTSA issued recalls but failed to supply parts in reasonable timeframe; manufacturer could not provide estimated remedy dates; no alternative accommodations (loaner vehicles, extended warranties) offered in most cases.
Dealership Non-Compliance / Service Roadblocks
Dealerships refuse or fail to perform recall repairs despite official notices, impose insurance waiver requirements, or erect procedural barriers. Some dealers claim parts unavailable when other dealers have stock; others demand liability releases before performing recall service.
When: 2015–2022
Symptoms owners cite: Dealership claims parts unavailable while distant dealer has them in stock; Dealership demands liability waiver or insurance paperwork before recall service; Dealer refuses to schedule appointments; phone calls unreturned; Dealer claims repair will take 2 hours per recall notice but actually requires vehicle for 3–5 days; Dealer schedules only 1–4 recall repairs per day despite having multiple mechanics; Dealership tells owner only receiving 2 parts per week
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 15V313000, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in multiple cases; owners forced to seek other dealerships or abandon repair attempts; Chrysler customer service representatives allegedly unable to override dealer scheduling barriers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler recalled vehicles but provided no enforcement or accountability for dealership compliance; one case involved Chrysler attorney conditioning repair on full bodily-injury liability release, then withholding repair for over one year.
Unrelated Engine / Powertrain Failures Potentially Linked to Recall / Diagnostic Issues
Vehicles experience engine stalling, no-start conditions, throttle sticking, or complete engine failure. Unclear whether these are secondary to airbag system work, fuel tank replacements, or diagnostic procedures during recall attempts.
When: 2014–2019; some concurrent with or following recall-related service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving; 4-second delay to restart; Vehicle will not start after towing to dealership; Throttle stuck; vehicle accelerates uncontrollably on its own; Service engine warning light illuminates; Metal pieces and dropped valve seats found in engine intake
Codes mentioned: Service engine warning light, NHTSA Campaign 16V352000 (Takata recall)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required in at least one case; fuel tank replaced at one dealer, then engine replaced at another; dealerships unable to diagnose root cause; extended warranty claims denied or disputed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer response unclear; one dealer told owner to 'wait for a STAR case response' from Chrysler; no clear resolution or root-cause analysis provided; connection to recall service unknown.
Synthesized from 285 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Chrysler 300?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 285 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 40 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 52,000 and 136,997 miles, with the median around 95,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,000; a quarter make it past 136,997. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chrysler/300.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.