2018 Chrysler 300: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2018 Chrysler 300: AVOID — 153 owner complaints (3.28 per 1,000 sold), 1.9× the 300 median year; top issue: electrical system (69 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.69, 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 0.09. Most complaints are about non-critical systems; only 18% are severe (crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2012–2023 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
153
NHTSA complaints
3.28
Complaints per 1,000 sold
224
Service bulletins
4
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2018 Chrysler 300 problems
Electrical system is the clear leader, named in 45% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2018 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 69 | 45% |
| Unknown or other | 53 | 35% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 17 | 11% |
| Air bags | 14 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 6% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2018 Chrysler 300 recalls
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018, reported between May 1, 2018 and Mar 14, 2024.
2018 Chrysler 300 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 224 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2018 — close to the 265 of the median 300 year from 2012 to 2023. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (64), structure (24), engine & cooling (19). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2018 vs. the year before and after
From the 2017 to the 2018, owner complaints rose 87% (82 → 153) — a step backward. The 2019 that followed fell by more than half (153 → 61), so the 2019 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 300 | SOLID | 82 | 201 | 2 | — |
| 2018 (this page) | AVOID | 153 | 224 | 4 | — |
| 2019 300 | BEST | 61 | 268 | 2 | — |
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 2018 Chrysler 300
Electrical system (69 complaints on the 2018): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (17 complaints on the 2018): 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.
Air bags (14 complaints on the 2018): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Exterior lighting (9 complaints on the 2018): check low and high beams, brake lights and turn signals, and look for condensation inside the housings.
Structure (7 complaints on the 2018): look under the car for rust or damage around the subframe and rockers, open every door and the liftgate, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
Recalls: confirm all 4 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2018 Chrysler 300 — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Chrysler 300 reliable?
2018 Chrysler 300: AVOID — 153 owner complaints (3.28 per 1,000 sold), 1.9× the 300 median year; top issue: electrical system (69 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.69, 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 0.09.
What are the most common 2018 Chrysler 300 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2018 Chrysler 300 are electrical system (69, 45%), unknown or other (53, 35%), powertrain / transmission (17, 11%). The manufacturer has 224 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chrysler 300 have?
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018 Chrysler 300, most recently 24V198000 (Mar 14, 2024, air bags); 18V524000 (Aug 9, 2018, electrical system); 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2018 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 2018 Chrysler 300 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2018 calendar-year sales; 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.