Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 300, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 126 | 30% |
| Air bags | 48 | 11% |
| Power train | 42 | 10% |
| Engine | 16 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 3% |
| Steering | 13 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 2% |
| Power train | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 ru
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 c
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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] )
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the temperature gauge had independently increased levels. The contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road and was able t
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owned a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a vehicle abruptly merged in front, causing the contact to T-bone the vehicle. The driver's side air bags did not ful
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My car threw itself in neutral twice in the highway going home.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The Steering Wheel Lock up on me while Driving on the interstate without any warning. I could have been kill. I panic.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chrysler 300. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 t
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 inj
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 r
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 o
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.
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-sp
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 parkin
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 cus
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,
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 r
| Reliability raw | 48 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 60 | average |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 126 of them (30%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 48/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 60/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.