2005 Chrysler 300 problems & reliability
825 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chrysler 300, alongside 7 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
29 complaints report injuries (36 injured, 4 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2005 Chrysler 300 vehicles were involved in 32 fatal crashes with 20 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 255 | 31% |
| Power Train | 189 | 23% |
| Electrical System | 99 | 12% |
| Engine | 51 | 6% |
| Suspension | 49 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 43 | 5% |
| Steering | 43 | 5% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 42 | 5% |
| Tires | 42 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 37 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 78,144 miles (middle 50% between 34,500 and 117,000 miles), based on 488 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (Air Bags); however, after retrieving the vehicle the following day, the vehicle experienced several failures while driving. The A/C was inoperable, the vehicle was running rough, the check…”
Air Bags · filed Apr 15, 2026
“This is a serious safety concern regarding the shift interlock system on my 2005 Chrysler 300. When the vehicle is in Park, particularly in traffic, and the light turns green, I am forced to lift the coin attachment and manually press the pink interlock just to change gears or accelerate. This creates a dangerous…”
Electrical System · filed Nov 12, 2024
“The vehicle began to shutter in reverse. This went on for about a week. Transmission fluid level was checked and it was in the normal range. My husband and I were driving it and made a sharp turn to find us in a spot to continue forward and go off a cliff or back up and get out of traffics way. He backed up and we…”
Power Train · filed Jul 27, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 22V945
- Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Preliminary Evaluation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 15V226000
Technical service bulletins
119 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Chrysler 300. The 10 most recent:
Pad kit - rear disc brake, front disc brake
108463 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 18, 2025
Pad kit - rear disc brake, front disc brake
108464 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 17, 2025
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number…
9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2021
NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
9004361 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 31, 2021
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number…
9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 31, 2021
NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
9004361 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 31, 2021
This SKU is a Engine Heater Hose Assembly. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the hose bending geometry. If the hose is not formed properly, it will interfere with surrounding…
RFI20210322_626- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 22, 2021
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number. The "AB" NIC level will not program to these platforms. For all other platforms, if the "AB" NIC level will not…
9004275 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2020
Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
23-015-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 30, 2020
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2005 Chrysler 300 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2005 Chrysler 300?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 78,144 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.