Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I had just left my house and was approximately a quarter mile from home when my son and I noticed a strong smell of something burning. Then the radio turned off. I looked down and the message center said "battery saving mode". I had just put a new battery on less than 4 months ago. Then I heard a whirring noise under the hood and the vehicle would not accelerate up a hill. The red outline of a battery appeared on the dash. I took the car back home and parked it -- then had to have a new alternator installed the next day. Mechanic said there was definite evidence of the alternator burning up. After picking up the vehicle with the new alternator -- my heat would not blow out the front vents. Turns out the actuator had gone out. I am still trying to determine if this was caused by the electrical system or just a really strange coincidence. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the instrument panel illuminated. Also, the contact stated that fluid was leaking from under the front of the vehicle and the vehicle started smoking. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the transmission had been replaced on three other occasions approximately every 10,000-12,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000. …
While driving on parkway, battery light saver comes on car, instrument panel goes hay wire just starts lighting up gauges going crazy. Steering wheel locks up car cuts off, lucky I was the only vehicle on the road manage to stop car bye hitting a embankment, when I pulled over black smoke was coming from the hood. Could smell something electric burning. Car cut off and would not start had toed to the dealer.
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.
This is the 2nd time I am sending a complaint about the 2012 Chrysler 300's and the safety issues associated. My vehicle has some sort of electrical issue. This electrical issue used to sporadically affect my vehicle in various way, however lately the issues have become more frequent and aggressive. The frequent and aggressive activity are as follows: sometimes my Bluetooth will not connect so I would turn off and restart the vehicle and the Bluetooth would immediately connect. Sometimes the power seats will not heat. I would pull over turn off the car and restart the vehicle and it would start heating up. Sometimes the back-up camera flickers and has a severely distorted image. Sometime the image of the camera is perfectly crystal clear. The main concern is my power steering is electric and I do not have a power steering pump. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V435000 (electrical system). While driving approximately 30 MPH, the "power steering mode enabled" indicator illuminated. The contact called herb chambers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of danvers at [phone] (located at 107 andover st, danvers, ma 01923) and was informed to bring the vehicle and leave it at the shop. The contact was also informed that the technician would not be able to inspect the vehicle until five to ten days and a loaner vehicle would not be provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,533. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V352000 (air bags); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,012. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel hesitated to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid was leaking and the power steering hose or pump possibly needed to be replaced. The leak was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V475000 (steering). The failure mileage was 11,060.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel seized and the contact was unable to shift the gear lever into park. The emergency flasher illuminated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
My 2012 Chrysler 300 limited has had two recalls (t36 & v01) at first, the power steering was affected and then the vehicle finally died. I had to stop driving the car before it died because it would not pass inspection with the t36 recall and finally, I have been unable to renew my registration. I have contacted service three times and have not received a call back.
Steering complaints in other 300 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Chrysler 300?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Chrysler 300, 7% of the model year's 426 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 300 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.