Is the 2006 Chrysler 300 a bad year?
1,051 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 263, 26× a quiet 300 year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Chrysler 300 were filed between 53k and 100k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 300 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 264 (25%) | 51k–132k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 263 (25%) | 53k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 225 (21%) | 60k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 193 (18%) | 60k–113k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 103 (10%) | 59k–117k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 48 (5%) | 39k–111k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 39 (4%) | 38k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 38 (4%) | 17k–103k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 (1%) | 50k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (1%) | 49k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (1%) | 6k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (1%) | 65k–148k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (1%) | 4k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 9 (1%) | 16k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,051 complaints: 48 mention a crash · 17 mention a fire · 27 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
For the 5th time in 12 months, my 2006 Chrysler 300C stalled after filling up at a gas station, nearly causing an accident.
Vehicle will not shift out of park. Had to walk 10 miles to get home at 11PM.SEARCHED for recall on this problem and found Chrysler notification K39.
7/16/2010 I parked on the street in front of my house. I turned the car off and decided I wanted to park closer to the curb.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Chrysler 300: 4
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.7 liter engines and MK25E braking systems may exhibit inadequate clearance between the rear brake tubes and the exhaust gas recirculation tube. This can result in a decrease of braking force and the potential for an engine compartment fire.
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42RLE automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position. If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 33
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Chrysler 300. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment
Engine Stall Immediately Following Fuel Tank Fill-Up (X53 Lifetime Warranty Extension)
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2005 300: 836 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2007 300: 508 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chrysler 300 year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All 300 years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Chrysler 300 a bad year?
1,051 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 263, 26× a quiet 300 year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Chrysler 300 were filed between 53k and 100k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chrysler 300?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (264), transmission and drivetrain (263), engine (225), fuel system (193), electrical system (103). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 53k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chrysler 300 have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-352), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-313), Brakes (NHTSA 06V-149), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 05V-460). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.