2012 Chrysler 300 problems
The 2012 Chrysler 300 has 424 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2012 Chrysler 300 has 424 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 181 complaints, typically surfacing around 71,394 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 300 | 95 | 0 |
| 2010 300 | 137 | 0 |
| 2011 300 | 200 | 0 |
| 2012 300 (this page) | 424 | 0 |
| 2013 300 | 306 | 0 |
| 2014 300 | 236 | 0 |
| 2015 300 | 97 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 1 fatality report and 26 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
- Powertrain: 74 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 43,300–78,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Chrysler 300 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Chrysler 300? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 181 owner reports · tends to show around 71,394 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 74 owner reports · tends to show around 59,002 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 55 owner reports · tends to show around 77,284 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 28 owner reports · tends to show around 64,754 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged critical on this model , showing up around 71,394 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2012 Chrysler 300
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2012 Chrysler 300
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~61,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~62,000 misteering~$700
- ~70,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~71,642 mielectrical~$850
- ~76,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
First sign was it kept saying low power mode activated. I took it in to dealership but they said everything was fine. A month later I was driving on the highway and everything electrical turned off (steering, ABS, battery, etc.) and the car started smoking heavily. My car…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving approximately 3 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and there was an eight second delayed response. The failure recurred ten times while driving at low speeds. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice and…
This vehicle has very poor lighting output from the headlights. The projector lamps are terrible. There are no high beams. There is some type of shutter that moves to redirect the light. The high beams are worse than the low beams. Worse headlights I have ever had on a car I…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The contact stated that when the hood of the vehicle was opened, the alternator was smoking, however there was no fire present. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 424 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chrysler 300 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Chrysler 300?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Chrysler 300 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 26 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Powertrain: 74 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 43,300–78,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chrysler 300?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 181 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,394 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 424 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 71,394 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 181 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,394 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 71,394 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chrysler 300 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chrysler 300?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 424 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.