2012 Chrysler 300: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2012 Chrysler 300: AVOID — 427 owner complaints, 5.4× the 300 median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (212 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 4.06, where 1.00 is a typical 300 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.46. 51% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2012–2023 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
427
NHTSA complaints
5.4×
vs. median 300 year
261
Service bulletins
9
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2012 Chrysler 300 problems
Electrical system dominates the record — 50% of complaints name it.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2012 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 212 | 50% |
| Air bags | 83 | 19% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 79 | 19% |
| Engine | 58 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 33 | 8% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2012 Chrysler 300 recalls
9 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012, reported between Jan 6, 2012 and Jan 15, 2019.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 19V018000 | Jan 15, 2019 | Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module |
| 18V021000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module |
| 17V435000 | Jul 10, 2017 | Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator |
| 16V352000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module |
| 16V240000 | Apr 25, 2016 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) |
| 14V634000 | Oct 8, 2014 | Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator |
| 13V118000 | Apr 3, 2013 | Air bags |
| 12V197000 | May 2, 2012 | Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module |
| 12V004000 | Jan 6, 2012 | Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems |
2012 Chrysler 300 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 261 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2012 — close to the 265 of the median 300 year from 2012 to 2023. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (75), powertrain / transmission (31), engine & cooling (28). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2012 vs. the year before and after
The 2013 that followed fell 28% (427 → 306), so the 2013 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 (this page) | AVOID | 427 | 261 | 9 | — |
| 2013 300 | AVOID | 306 | 316 | 6 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chrysler 300 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2012 Chrysler 300
Electrical system (212 complaints on the 2012): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Air bags (83 complaints on the 2012): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Powertrain / transmission (79 complaints on the 2012): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Engine (58 complaints on the 2012): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Service brakes (33 complaints on the 2012): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 9 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby 300 years with a better rating: 2015.
Know what to pay for the right 2012 Chrysler 300 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2012 Chrysler 300 reliable?
2012 Chrysler 300: AVOID — 427 owner complaints, 5.4× the 300 median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (212 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 4.06, where 1.00 is a typical 300 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.46.
What are the most common 2012 Chrysler 300 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2012 Chrysler 300 are electrical system (212, 50%), air bags (83, 19%), powertrain / transmission (79, 19%). The manufacturer has 261 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chrysler 300 have?
9 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012 Chrysler 300, most recently 19V018000 (Jan 15, 2019, air bags); 18V021000 (Jan 9, 2018, air bags); 17V435000 (Jul 10, 2017, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2012 Chrysler 300 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2012 Chrysler 300 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.