2006 Chrysler 300 Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the 300 at the same age

Owners have filed 1,051 complaints about the 2006 Chrysler 300 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.7× as many as a typical 300 model year at the same age, which makes the 2006 one of the 300 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the air bags (264 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year, including 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

1,051complaints
4recalls
48crashes
17fires
39injuries
0deaths

Most common 2006 Chrysler 300 problems

  • Air bags~90,000 miles
    26425%
  • 26325%
  • Engine & cooling~90,000 miles
    22922%
  • 19318%
  • Electrical system~87,000 miles
    10310%
  • Other / not specified~112,000 miles
    505%
  • Steering~70,000 miles
    485%
  • Brakes~52,000 miles
    404%
  • 394%
  • Suspension~62,000 miles
    151%
  • Lights~81,000 miles
    151%
  • Body & structure~74,000 miles
    141%
  • Wheels & tires~48,000 miles
    131%
  • Seat belts~48,000 miles
    91%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~97,000 miles
    91%
  • Stability & traction control~102,000 miles
    81%
  • Equipment & accessories~77,000 miles
    71%
  • A/C & heater~58,000 miles
    30%
  • Seats~98,000 miles
    20%
  • Locks & latches
    20%
  • Driver assistance~0 miles
    10%

Share of the 1,051 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chrysler 300 complaints by model year

’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’238371.1k5097278412720042630623799768215361102056
Owner complaints per model year, Chrysler 300. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 300 years: 2020, 2022, 2023. Years to avoid: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2006, 2005. Compare all years →

2006 Chrysler 300 recalls (4)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-352 · May 24, 2016 · 4,648,270 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 15V-313 · May 26, 2015 · 4,077,169 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA recall 06V-149 · May 3, 2006 · 44,367 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.7 liter engines and mk25e braking systems May exhibit inadequate clearance between the rear brake tubes and the exhaust gas recirculation tube.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear brake tubes for damage and replace them free of charge. A clip will also be installed to secure the brake tubes to the right front shock tower to maintain proper clearance to the exhaust…

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 05V-460 · Oct 6, 2005 · 256,409 vehicles

On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2006 Chrysler 300:

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V-172

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V-668

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

What 2006 Chrysler 300 owners say

Air bags all 264 →

On 11/15/2022, the consumer had a scheduled service appointment at Hendrick Chrysler motor vehicle dealership located at 1628 Montgomery Hwy, Hoover, Alabama, regarding stop drive recall ZD1, S43, and R25. The consumer was directed to sign insurance related paperwork to have the recall service performed. The consumer explained that the service was related to a recall and would not sign any insurance related paperwork. The consumer was advised by service personnel that the recall service would be performed and the motor vehicle was left with the service department to have the recall service performed. Shortly thereafter, the consumer was advised via telephone call that the recall service would not be performed. The consumer does not believe that any insurance paperwork is applicable to have recall service performed. …

Nov 2022

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V313000 (air bags) however, the part needed to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was told by his local dealer that there were no parts or a remedy available to service the vehicle however, when contacting the dealer that was further from him, he was advised that they did have parts available. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact was unable to drive the vehicle on the highway due to a disability. The contact was later involved in a crash where he was rear-ended while sitting at a red light and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, wrist, knee and head. Another passenger also sustained injuries to the back, neck and legs. Both required medical attention. A police report was filed of the incident. …

67,000 miles · Dec 2015 · crash · 2 injuries

Transmission & drivetrain all 263 →

The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the transmission shifter seized in park(P) and failed to shift to drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the gear shifter operated normally. The contact stated that over time the failure became progressively worse and more frequently. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V460000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

80,000 miles · Sep 2020

My vehicle for the past 2 year have a shifting problem. I can't get it into gear and go over 28 MPH. I had it checked out I was told nothing was wrong. The second time I was involved into a accident because tea went from 50 MPH to 30 MPH back to 50 MPH to a barricade on the highway. My insurance cover the repairs and a week later still the same problem. I took it to the transmission shop and mechanic said it?s not a transmission problem he believe it a sensor problem. I took it to Chrysler and they told me I just needed new brakes. I ship it from hawaii to new york and the mechanic replace the sensor it was fine for a week. I drove it to va for mandatory training and it completely die on me back to driving under 28 MPH. My car is stationary in a residential neighborhood in va because it will not shift into gear and I don't know what's wrong...

128,000 miles · May 2016 · crash

Engine & cooling all 229 →

The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and observed that the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was HOT. The contact turned the vehicle off and waited for about 30 minutes and the vehicle restarted after several attempts. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

133,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle sputtered and stalled after refueling. There was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact waited for 30 minutes to restart the vehicle. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. While driving and making a turn, the vehicle stalled. There were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V002000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Mar 2026

2006 Chrysler 300 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.7L 6-cyl4-speed automaticRWD18 / 26 / 21
3.5L 6-cyl4-speed automaticRWD17 / 25 / 20
3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 24 / 20
3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 22 / 18
5.7L 8-cyl5-speed automatic4WD/AWD15 / 22 / 18
5.7L 8-cyl5-speed automaticRWD15 / 23 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Chrysler 300 a good car?

Based on 1,051 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 300 rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the 300 at the same age. It is one of the 300 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Chrysler 300?

The air bags — 264 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (263) and engine & cooling (229).

How many recalls does the 2006 Chrysler 300 have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Chrysler 300, the most recent from May 24, 2016 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chrysler 300?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2022 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2006 and 2005. See the full Chrysler 300 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Chrysler 300 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.