Is the 2005 Chrysler 300C a bad year?
286 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 71, 7.1× a quiet 300C year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 61k–115k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 300C 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 81,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 138 (48%) | 50k–125k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 71 (25%) | 61k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 48 (17%) | 51k–100k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 22 (8%) | 67k–120k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 20 (7%) | 54k–100k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 8 (3%) | 76k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 31 (11%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 81,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 286 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When I bought the car at bredemann's cheverolet last tuesday, they forgot to fill up the tank so I took the car back today to get filled up.
The vehicle will stall out several times after filling the tank with gas and it only stalls out after filling the tank.
My Chrysler 300C has 114,805 miles on it. I drove it to the gas station before going home. Filled it up with gas.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 81,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Chrysler 300C: 2
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.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
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: 22
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Chrysler 300C. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2006 300C: 698 complaints, consider selling.
Every Chrysler 300C year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All 300C years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · 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 2005 Chrysler 300C a bad year?
286 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 71, 7.1× a quiet 300C year. At 81,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 61k–115k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chrysler 300C?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (138), engine (71), transmission and drivetrain (48), electrical system (22), steering (20). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 61k–115k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chrysler 300C have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 15V-313), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-770). 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.