Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chrysler 300 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while the driver attempted to drive the vehicle, the battery saver mode, the anti skid control and ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel then un-illuminated. The contact also stated that there was a clicking sound coming from behind the glove box, also a burning electrical odor was coming from under the hood while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was then driven to the contacts residence and when attempting to turn the vehicle on, the vehicle failed to start. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the strong odor of electrical burning persisted. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that it was not their problem and to take vehicle to a dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal burning odor and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (dallas Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 11550 lyndon b johnson fwy, dallas, tx 75238) and the contact was informed that she must purchase a battery before the diagnostic testing would be completed. The contact declined. The failure mileage was 83,000.
As I was driving on a city street, my alternator shut down causing everything electrical to stop functioning. I lost control of the vehicle and the brakes were not responding as well. The car kept rolling until I hit a curb.
On March 12, 2017 I was driving Chrysler 2012 300 vehicle on a busy highway,the vehicle then went into battery power save mode, without warning the vehicle stalled and the breaks locked on me, the car did not let me stop and I was on a busy street route 30 in merrillville, in with my 2 year old daughter in the back seat, the vehicle rolled at approximately 20 MPH for 15 feet and made an abrupt stop, after wards I was unable to turn on vehicle and was left stranded on busy street, luckily their were no cars in front of me at the time or it could of been worse, after doing research I called Chrysler and asked if this could of been due to faulty alternator and mentioned recall p61 and was told the recall was for a 160 amp and mine was 180 amp, the cause of this situation was clearly due to a recall on a recall of a different Chrysler model and should be looked into immediately, I have …
On several occasions over the past few weeks, as the car heats up, the ABS fuse seems to lose contact. When this happens, ABS/ESP (stability control), forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise disable. It has happened both while stationary and moving. If using adaptive cruise control, acceleration and speed maintenance will stop, and could result in an accident (though it has not yet). A similar Chrysler case has been opened and linked to the police variant of a car on the same platform with same engine. Police cars use Dodge chargers with Hemi v8, which is the same platform as the Chrysler 300 with a Hemi v8, with mostly cosmetic issues. The fuse is not blown, and upon the car cooling down, the system is restored, however, on journeys in which the engine heat rises, the system goes offline. …
Has started visiting a friend in the hospital comma park the car in a parking garage and engage the parking brake. The car was stationary not moving and when I return and disengage the parking brake I noticed my ABS and traction control lights are on. I have another issue which I discovered today May 19th 2016 is that when entering the vehicle and starting it everything was normal as I progressed down the road I noticed something a little off and it not wanting to accelerate the RPM seem to be a little jumpy and I check the oil pressure which was really high I turned around immediately and parked the car back at my house. The oil pressure would jump maybe 30 to 40 psi but only reaching 20 miles an hour. I am unaware of what is causing these issues and only discovered it as I was making a turn out of my driveway. …
Was driving down the road on a 90 plus degree day with my air on and radio and all of a sudden the radio shuts off the air shuts off and the heat comes on max all by its self.the winsheild wipers come on . I tried to turn them off but I couldnt. Try to roll the window down but it wouldnt work . Lost my power steering. Try to turn but I couldnt went to next drive way where it was wide enough and turned the car was trying to start while all this was going on. I finally got the car where I tried to stop it but it would not so I push the emerency brake and held the brake while I did that also tried to put the car in gear but it would not allow me to in the message area it read service shifter. Finally the car was dying down and all of a sudden it just shut down. …
I was driving at 45 MPH on highway when suddenly all the light on the dashboard cluster when on then the radio went off, then windows would not work, door locks would not work then lost power steering and power brakes and engine was still on but not responding to gas pedal. I was able to pull it off the road safely but then I could not put the car in park or shut down the engine. The car was then starting to overheat and a burning electrical smell was noticeable. I was able to open the hood and pull out some fuses to finally shut the car down before it potentially caught on fire. I fell this is an inherit safety dange with this car. I sent do dealer to be told it was the alternator which is very scary that the car could do this if the alternator goes. …
Transmission service warning & engine service lights come on with transmission going out of gear while the vehicle is at speed. Renders the vehicle inoperable and creates a dangerous situation to oncoming and surrounding motorists. Has happened multiple times. Reported to the dealer on three separate occasions. Requires a shut down and restart/reboot with diminished transmission ability. Yellow service engine light and ABS & traction control lights are in the constant on, lighted. Chrysler service codes detect no coded issues. Happening on a greater frequency now, started before 30,000 miles, vehicle now has 43,000 miles on it. Happens in motion, after being parked, just before parking. Frequency is such that I am afraid to drive the vehicle. Chrysler dealer(s) state that do do not have a fix resolved yet for the 2012 models.
Brake complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Chrysler 300, 8% of the model year's 426 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 300 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 Chrysler 300, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler 300 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.