AIR BAG - SIDE CURTAIN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chrysler 300 airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Chrysler 300 have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 300 | 55 |
| 2013 300 | 28 |
| 2014 300 | 14 |
| 2015 300 | 7 |
| 2016 300 (this page) | 12 |
| 2017 300 | 5 |
| 2018 300 | 13 |
| 2019 300 | 22 |
| 2020 300 | 4 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Chrysler 300, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
Transmission Oil Pan, Heater (TMU), Tube or O-ring Applies to vehicles equipped with 8 speed transmissions only; if you have a leak that appears to be at the pan the use of proper leak detection is recommended. The fluid in the 8 speeds can be detected with a black light and there are aftermarket spray on leak detection materials to help ensure that the leak is properly diagnosed and not from another location such as cooler lines, heater tubes, or case porosity. Please note that the transmission pan gasket is available for many of the 8 speed applications FCA offers. Please review the available quick connect and transfer tube parts, as replacement of the TMU may not be required. If a TOC lin
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Powertrain Diagnostic and System Improvements This bulletin involves reprogramming of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the latest software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the technician may find that the following DTCs: P000B - Bank 1 Camshaft 2 Position Slow Response. P0016 - Crankshaft/Camshaft Timing Misalignment - Bank 1 Sensor 1. P0335 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit. P0339 - Crankshaft Position Sensor Intermittent. P0441 - EVAP Purge System Performance. P0455 - EVAP System Large Leak. P2610 - PCM Internal Engine Off Timer Performance. P0456 - EVAP System Small Leak. P2299 - Brake Pedal Position/Ac
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: Transmission Diagnostic and Shift Enhancements This bulletin involves reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a less than desirable down shift during one or more of the following:3-2 coast-down shift. 2-1 coast-down shift. 6-5 coast-down shift. The following software enhancement is available for(6.4L Only):Reduce bumps felt on light to medium decel braking while coming to a stop. Bump could be described as a push, driveline clunk, or engine flare noise right after the 5-4 downshift. The vehicle speed may vary based on the rate of deceleration.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rain light sensor Rain sense wipers do not operate: 1. Visual Inspection--> Check if the sensor is visually OK. (all the pins are OK) Check that the Connector is NOT loose (Sensor must get a voltage from 9V to 16V) 2. Functional Checks Rain--> Steering column switch is in auto mode (sensor is active) it is necessary to splash water on the sensitive surface of the sensor to trigger wipes. check the same for different sensitivities When the rain sensitivity is increased (for example from level 0 to level 1), as an acknowledgement a single wipe is seen. (This is not a phantom wipe) and this single wipe is not seen when the rain sensitivity is decreased (from higher level to lower level) Light--
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two main airbag concerns on 2016 Chrysler 300 vehicles. The first involves door panels peeling, warping, and separating from the door frames—a widespread condition that started appearing in late 2018 for some owners. Multiple owners state this panel separation raises the risk of side airbag deployment issues, though most have not experienced actual airbag failure. The separation typically occurs along interior trim seams and window frames, allegedly caused by heat cycling and AC use. Owners report the issue affects all four doors on some vehicles and note that manufacturer replacement parts cost $1,000 or more per door and remain backordered.
The second concern is spontaneous or non-deployment of airbags during actual collisions or hard braking events. One owner reported airbag non-deployment during a rear-end collision at 60 mph with the vehicle eventually totaled; the manufacturer could not determine the cause after electronic data review. Another owner experienced unexpected side airbag deployment during hard braking on a wet road at 45 mph with no collision occurring. Owners reference awareness of a recall notice but provide no details on manufacturer response, repair bulletins, or specific diagnostic outcomes beyond the single manufacturer inspection that was inconclusive.
Same Chrysler 300 airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Door panel separation and warping
Interior door panels, trim molding, and plastic window frame components separate, peel, and warp away from the door structure. Owners attribute this to thermal cycling and heat from AC use. The condition occurs on multiple or all four doors of affected vehicles.
When: Late 2018 to early 2019 for some owners; timing not specified for others. Affects vehicles from early in the model generation.
Symptoms owners cite: Interior door panel peeling away at seams; Trim molding pulled away from window frame (gaps up to 1+ inch reported); Plastic window frame components popping off; Warping of door panels
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement parts cost $1,000 or more per door; replacement components reported backordered. Most owners report no repairs attempted due to out-of-warranty status or manufacturer refusal to cover.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners state Chrysler has been aware of the issue for years and continues manufacturing vehicles with the defect. Some reference awareness of a pending or active class-action lawsuit. One recall notice received by one owner, but no details provided on scope or repair procedures.
Non-deployment of airbags during collision
Airbags failed to deploy during a rear-end collision at highway speed. The vehicle was totaled. Manufacturer electronic data inspection found no definitive cause.
When: At approximately 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during rear-end collision at 60 mph; Police report filed; no injuries but vehicle totaled
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was inspected by manufacturer but cause could not be determined from electronic data. Vehicle was not inspected by dealer or independent mechanic for further diagnostics.
Spontaneous airbag deployment
Side airbags deployed without collision during hard braking on a wet road. Owner reported sudden hard braking at 45 mph on an on-ramp; airbags deployed unexpectedly.
When: During driving event at approximately 45 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbags deployed without collision; Deployment occurred during hard braking on wet road; Seat belts not working (stated but no detail provided)
Potential airbag deployment risk from door panel separation
Multiple owners express concern that door panel and trim separation could interfere with side airbag deployment, though most state they have not experienced actual airbag failure. Owners theorize that gaps in the door structure created by peeling panels could affect airbag function.
When: Concurrent with door panel separation (late 2018 onward for some)
Symptoms owners cite: Door panel gaps raising concerns about side airbag interference; No actual airbag malfunction reported by most owners expressing this concern
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners reference a recall notice but provide no details on manufacturer action, repair bulletins, or warranty coverage.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Chrysler 300. While driving 60 MPH, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle and the contact was informed that the cause of the failure could not be determined after reviewing the…
RECALLS
Door panels are separating from all interior doors. Separating has caused issues with doors locking and airbag deployment. This is an issue the manufacturer has been aware of for years yet still manufactures cars with this issue. Chrysler and Dodge vehicles. Issue is so common that replacement parts, which are not covered by manufacturer's warranty and can cost anywhere from $1000+ per door, are…
I received a notice in the mail specifying that my vehicle's airbags may have a recall.
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Chrysler 300?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 64,579 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2016/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.