Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and examined under the hood of the vehicle and noticed there was smoke coming from the alternator. After the vehicle cooled down, the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The dealer was contact and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) and that the contact had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 158,000.
Was on my way home from work and car completely lost power as I was preceding to go after stopping at a stop sign. I was LITERALLY in the middle of the road. Car wouldn't crank AT ALL. Engine started OVERHEATING causing smoke to disburse from engine. NO WARNING LIGHTS before this occurred. A big truck was coming down the road and I had to exist the vehicle. Luckily a car wasn't in the other lane so the truck went on the other side of the road. I was terrified! I called 911 to get a deputy dispatch to direct traffic around my car to avoid mutiple COLLISION. I had to have my vehicle towed. I never want another Chrysler again these cars are UNSAFE. I could have died what if my child was in the car?! I took my car to a mechanic to put on computer scanner and it gave off SEVEN codes ALL due to ELECTRICAL ISSUES! CAR IS APPARENTLY STUCK IN LIMP MODE IDK I'M SO CONFUSED AND DISAPPOINTED. …
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and restarted the vehicle however, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to move forward. The vehicle was towed the residence. The following day the vehicle started and drove as designed; however, the vehicle would not reverse. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown
Vehicle received passenger airbag inflator recall service at Viva CDJR in El Paso, TX. The dash disassembly disturbed adjacent wiring/BCM connections, and after driving, vibration caused a short/ground fault, creating runaway wipers, A/C failure, transmission limp mode, check engine and power steering lights while in transit. Dealer has kept the car for over two weeks and refuses to scan diagnostic trouble codes or inspect the recall-adjacent wiring harness. The vehicle has never experienced this issue prior to the recall service.
I lost all power to my car randomly, i replaced my alternator, battery, and pcm as well as the pigtail harness for my alternator. the car has no power inside at all besides my taillights and brake lights stay on. i keep blowing fuses left and right the fuses that keep blowing are - asd feed #1, trans/shifter, hvac module/ cluster, amplifier, radio screen - this is a major issue that needs to be recalled especially with everything else electrical that was already recalled. thanks for your time
My vehicle stalls when placed from reverse to drive and the check engine light blinks and goes to Eco mode which makes the car shake. I've had a tuneup, oil change, brakes, O2 sensor and spark plugs replaced and the issues still exist. The car also will initiate skid control without warning or pressing the button which slows the car down and causes the engine to rev above 3-6rpm
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Car was stalling and had electrical issues. I paid to get it fixed but never knew there was a recall for my vehicles alternator. The vehicle battery dies fairly quickly from time to time still and every know and then I have to call AAA to jump my car and they say my battery is good. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36. I never received a noticed.
The air bags were replaced in my vehicle due to a recall. Now my air bag light is on and the buttons and horn do not work. The airbag clock spring is broken. The air bags were replaced by the dealership. Should the clock spring be replaced covered due to this issue?
The air bag light comes on n off with a passenger in the seat and also the shifter sometimes doesn't shift into gear I have to unplug battery for 10 minutes to reset system that comes to the electrical situation
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and Dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles May lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 18, 2012. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 212 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chrysler 300, 50% of the model year's 426 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 300 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-634 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 8, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-197 (fuses and circuit breakers, May 2, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler 300 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 30 fires and 0 injuries and 1 death to electrical system 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.