VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Chrysler 3002005–2023
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Chrysler 300
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Chrysler 300 Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 675 complaints
16 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
5 recalls · 528 complaints
28 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
2 recalls · 476 complaints
20 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the 300 became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Chrysler 300 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 84 | 79 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | 84 | 86 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 84 | 89 | 86 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 84 | 88 | 85 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 47 | 4 | — | 74 | 84 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 105 | — | — | 59 | 78 | 66 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 43 | 2 | — | 77 | 71 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 1 | 46 | 7 | — | 73 | 64 | 70 | Excellent |
| 2015 | 2 | 65 | 5 | — | 67 | 57 | 64 | Good |
| 2014 | 4 | 169 | 14 | — | 59 | 51 | 56 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 196 | 16 | — | 59 | 46 | 54 | Good |
| 2012 | 5 | 300 | 4 | — | 59 | 42 | 53 | Caution |
| 2011 | 4 | 145 | 6 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | 81 | 3 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 52 | — | — | 72 | 39 | 60 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 2 | 476 | 20 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 1 | 289 | 5 | 1 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Caution |
| 2006 | 2 | 675 | 16 | — | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 5 | 528 | 28 | 5 | 59 | 39 | 52 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Chrysler 300 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the 300 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 86).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 75).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year 300 to buy?+
The 2021 Chrysler 300 scores highest on our Buyer Score (86/100) — combining a reliability score of 84/100 with a value score of 89/100. It has 1 recall and 5 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which 300 years have the most problems?+
The 2006, 2005, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 300 leads with 2 recalls and 675 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common 300 problems?+
The most frequently reported Chrysler 300 issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.