2018 Chrysler 300: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and airbags. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 151
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 6
- 7 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Chrysler 300: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/4
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which 300 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Chrysler 300. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cylGas | AWD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylGas | RWD | 19 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cylFlex fuel | AWD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
- The 2018 Chrysler 300 was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A 300 that averages well under the EPA 19 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Chrysler 300, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical63No crashes
The center touchscreen delaminates, bubbles, and registers phantom touches. Once it starts, the screen jumps between menus, beeps, changes radio stations, switches heat and air conditioning, turns on defrost, and dials contacts or even 911. Climate, hands-free calling, and navigation all run through this screen, so the windshield can fog and drivers get distracted. The backup camera image can also go blank. Several reports blame water from a leaking sunroof track for screen glitches and interior damage. A few owners say the car stalled and would not restart.
Transmission16No crashes
Transmission complaints dominate. Owners describe harsh jolts when pulling away from a stop, hard shifts into second gear, jerking or surging when shifting into reverse, and grinding or howling noises. Several start around 21,000 to 26,000 miles, and dealers often cannot reproduce the problem. A second pattern is sudden power loss. The engine stalls on the road or in reverse and will not restart, or the accelerator stops responding on the freeway while a check engine or stability control light comes on. At least one car needed a full transmission replacement.
Airbags133 crashes
Three crash reports say the air bags did not deploy in highway-speed impacts and that occupants were injured. One of those cars had only 4,000 miles. Other filings describe a Service Air Bag System message or an air bag warning light. In one case a dealer traced it to a failed seat belt module, and the fault returned after the repair. Three filings report no failure at all. Those owners received an air bag recall notice but were told repair parts were not yet available. Some owners also worry that warped door panels could affect side air bag deployment.
Exterior lights41 crash
Headlight assemblies stop working and leave the car with one headlight. In at least one case moisture built up inside the housing before the light failed. The complete assembly is a dealer-only part that can be back-ordered for months, and owners report replacement costs of over $2000. At least one replacement assembly failed again. The single crash report in this category is a deer strike, not a lighting failure.
Backup camera4No crashes
The rearview camera image goes blank, distorts, or pixelates when the car is shifted into reverse. In several reports the failure comes with the delaminating center screen, and the radio, hands-free phone, and navigation can drop out at the same time. The problem is often intermittent, and no warning light comes on. Reported mileages fall between about 57,000 and 90,000 miles. In one case a dealer confirmed the screen was delaminating but did not repair it.
Wipers and visibility3No crashes
The windshield wipers make an unexpected swipe when the turn signal is used, which catches drivers off guard mid-turn. In one case the wipers then would not shut off, and the fuse had to be pulled to stop them. A separate report describes the panoramic sunroof shattering with a loud bang at highway speed while closed, which left glass throughout the cabin. That owner's dealer would not cover it and sent the owner to their insurance company.
Wheels and tires21 crash
Only two reports fall here, which is too few to show a pattern. One says a front wheel kept tracking straight during a slow left turn and the car hit a curb with a warning indicator lit. An unbelted rear passenger hit the side window. The other report cites a failed power monitoring sensor system and gives no further detail. Losing steering control, even at low speed, is a serious failure.
Suspension2No crashes
A clunking noise followed by the car sliding is the only detailed report here, and it happened at just 2,000 miles. An independent shop blamed the tires. A dealer diagnosed a failed strut and strut mount, and the car was not repaired. The second filing contains only a link and no description. Two reports are not enough to show a pattern for this component.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints 300 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The LCD screen is delaminated and additionally the control of the radio, air conditioning, navigation, and other features controlled by the screen portion of the car are dysfunctional. The car will randomly beep, change air temperatures, start navigation, cause the loss of hands-free communication. Most severe, the radio will turn on at full volume which is very startling to the driver. This is a safety hazard as it causes the driver to be distracted.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
Vehicle suddenly stalled at a red light and did not turn back on. Everything shut down. Also The factory-installed backup camera has failed completely. When the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the infotainment screen remains blank or black. This failure significantly reduces rearward visibility, creating a severe safety risk for pedestrians and property, Also not allowing access to temp control, radio, phone, cruise control, etc.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2026
There was a recall on this vehicle in 2018 for a Powertrain Control Module or PCM. The problem has arisen again. How do I correct this issue
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
I got my car in May of 2021, and when I was in a car accident in August of 2021, none of the airbags in my car deployed, When i was rear-ended, which caused me to rear end the person in front of me, on the highway in 2022, my airbags also did not deploy, then in April of 2023, the message "Service Air bag System".
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
My door panels are peeling away from the area where the trim and window meet on my driver side and passenger. This is also causing problems with my door locking and it may also affect airbag deployment. I feel that there needs to be a recall on these door panels, and they need to be installed properly.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2022
Passenger headlight assembly stopped working. This is a dealer only part and will cost me over $2000 to. Fix when they get one in stock! This could be months, I have to drive with one headlight because one is dead and Chrysler has no parts.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
How the 2018 compares with other 300 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 6 300 years we cover, about 7.8 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical633
- Transmission161
- Airbags137
- Exterior lights40
- Backup camera40
- Wipers and visibility30
Where the 2018 fits in the 300's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the eighth model year of the 300's second generation (2011–2023).
It includes the 2015 update.
What changed for 2015
- Facelift introduced
- New technology features
Recalls to confirm (4)
Recall repairs are free at any Chrysler dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V198000AirbagsMar 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
18V524000ElectricalAug 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
18V332000ElectricalMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
18V280000TransmissionMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Also looking at these instead of a 300?
Cars shoppers compare with the Chrysler 300, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
- Buick LaCrosse12
- Nissan Maxima36
- Dodge Charger121
- 2018 Chrysler 300151
- Hyundai Sonata353
