10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 26
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
57,393 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chrysler 300 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chrysler 300 Owner Comments (Page 7 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #66

Jun 092016

300

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving 45 mph, the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. In addition, while driving 15 mph, the contact noticed smoke under the hood. The failure recurred and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #65

Apr 152016

300

  • 81,999 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the A/C fluctuated. The speedometer malfunctioned with a rapid increase and decrease of the speedometer stick. Furthermore, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failed. The failure mileage was 81,999.

- Mirimar, FL, USA

problem #64

Apr 152016

300

  • 81,999 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 81,999.

- Miramar, FL, USA

problem #63

Mar 312016

300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving 35 mph, the odor of burnt wire was noticed. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and observed that the wires leading to the alternator were burning. A police or fire report were not filed. The contact extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Bessemer, AL, USA

problem #62

May 132012

300

  • miles
Airbag warning light comes on and chimes randomly. It may come on as soon as car is started and not chime again, or chime and light up half dozen times in five miles. I have had the dealer's mechanic look at it two or three times. It might go away but come back afterwards. Motor vehicle is stationary when just cranking up and light/chime occurs. This also happens when car is in motion. There is no discernible patter to these occurances.

- Tennille, GA, USA

problem #61

Apr 182016

300

  • 58,000 miles
After being parked in shade for over an hour on warm (70) day, brake light came on, then engine and transmission light on and off while driving. While at stop, smell of burnt plastic and unable to shift from drive to park; was eventually able to shift into park, then vehicle died, including flashers. No power to anything, including doors. Was stopped at head of left turn lane during lunch hour traffic; out of car due to building heat and increased burning plastic smell and to direct traffic around the vehicle for over an hour until towed by aaa. Diagnosed by dealer (lithia Dodge in santa rosa, ca) as wire shorted in alternator, but they say not covered by recall #14V634000. Quoted repair is $1452 for new alternator and battery, plus approx. $500 in car rental costs. Mileage about 58,000.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #60

Apr 182016

300

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle's power seized and the instrument panel lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled, but was able to restart. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #59

Apr 222016

300

  • 65,000 miles
While on highway, my radio turned off and vehicle went into battery saving mode. As I proceeded to exit the highway, the interior and exterior lights started to flicker. I went to autozone and the car barely made it there. The car smelled like if something was burning under the hood. One of the attendants checked my battery and said the battery was drained, I had them recharge it. I had to get the car towed since the car was inoperable. I picked up the battery this morning and turned the car on, and all the electrical system started to flicker so I just turned of the car. I read in to the vehicles recalls and I noticed that recall #P6O is exactly what my car was doing last night. I called Chrysler today and they refuse to fix it due to my car not being affected by this recall but it obviously has been. Is there anything that I can do to make my car part of this recall" if so what steps can I take to make this happen" this is a safety issue that could of caused an accident and or multiple accidents since I was on the highway when this issue started, if not for my quick thinking the car could of stalled in the middle of the highway. I should also mention that while the electrical system began to fail it was extremely difficult to brake. On another note, the air bag light turns on and off all the time. I am afraid if we have an accident that the air bags won't deploy.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #58

Apr 212016

300

  • 75,600 miles
(P60/NHTSA 14V-634) I own a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving about 5 mph in a parking lot, the radio stated cutting on and off, the battery icon flashed on and off and I lost all power to the vehicle. I opened the hood and smoke was coming from the alternator. Aaa came and tried to jump -start the vehicle, but the battery was completely dead. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery was the cause of the failure. The batter and the alternator were replaced. In 2015, a letter was sent to certain Chrysler 300 owners whose vehicle was equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator to take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer and get the alternator replaced, free of charge. Those of us with a 180 amp alternator did not qualify. Those of us with the 180 amp alternator did not qualify. The same problem that existed with the 160 amp, also exist with the 180 amp alternator. I also have a life- time warranty, but I had to pay for the battery.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #57

Mar 282016

300

  • 89,750 miles
I replaced the alternator and battery in my 2012 Chrysler 300 when I received the manufacturer recall notice. I purchased the parts myself and had the dealer install them at my expense. I was reimbursed by Chrysler. Please note here that this is a base model. That alternator recently failed as well after just over a year. The battery light came on and then went off for a few days. It came back on and stayed on this time. Had it tested and was told the alternator was again failing. This alternator cost $485, luckily with a lifetime warranty. Perhaps it is not just the type of alternators Chrysler used, but a more complex problem to be investigated here.

- Beaver Dam, WI, USA

problem #56

Mar 072016

300

  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On several occasions over the past few weeks, as the car heats up, the ABS fuse seems to lose contact. When this happens, ABS/esp (stability control), forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise disable. It has happened both while stationary and moving. If using adaptive cruise control, acceleration and speed maintenance will stop, and could result in an accident (though it has not yet). A similar Chrysler case has been opened and linked to the police variant of a car on the same platform with same engine. Police cars use Dodge chargers with hemi V8, which is the same platform as the Chrysler 300 with a hemi V8, with mostly cosmetic issues. The fuse is not blown, and upon the car cooling down, the system is restored, however, on journeys in which the engine heat rises, the system goes offline. It seems as though this may be a common issue in this platform, however, the tsb only went to the police car variant of essentially the same car. When the issue happens while the car is moving, if the driver has the brakes applied, a bang/grind/scrape sound (such as what is heard when the ABS actually engages) can be heard.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #55

Jun 212015

300

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, a few months later, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was included NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Wauconda, IL, USA

problem #54

Feb 142016

300

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on a city street when suddenly it started to act strange. The vehicle stability warning light went on and I began to quickly lose power and control of the vehicle. A burning smell was detected and the powertrain began to make unusual noises. Other warning lights began popping randomly and the wipers started on its own. The vehicle then stalled and came to a complete stop. All electrical systems completely shut down. Smelled like something had burned up under the hood. I immediately contacted Chrysler roadside service and had the vehicle towed to a local Chrysler dealership. The Chrysler service department later examined the vehicle and said the alternator had burned up. The alternator also caused damage to my battery. The service department indicated it would cost approximately $1,000 to repair both. The service department also indicated this repair is not covered by warranty or recall. I told the service department I was aware Chrysler had recalled almost 1/2 million vehicle for the same exact alternator problem (recall P60). I contacted Chrysler customer service and they indicated nothing can be done because my vehicle was not on the P60 recall list. They provided me a case number for the initial roadside service/tow (#28743527) and indicated no other case number would be generated. Although my vehicle is not on Chrysler's recall list, the electrical problems experienced by my vehicle was identical to the alternator/electrical problems identified in other Chrysler vehicles having the same model/engine specifications.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #53

Feb 052016

300

  • 70,000 miles
While driving on interstate traveling 70 miles per/hour my 2012 Chrysler 300 dash warning light lit up followed by dash going white. We then lost all power in vehicle. No power steering no lights inside vehicle or outside. We were traveling at night so pulled off with some great effort. I am glad I was driving and not my wife. You could smell the electrical fire in vehicle. Had car towed to dealership. Paid almost 700 dollars for new alternator which was the problem. There is a recall (P60) which list my vehicle but my VIN does not show up as part of the recall. My brother has a Dodge and had same thing happen to him and his family. His vehicle was listed as part of N60 recall and was repaired free of charge.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #52

Jan 082016

300

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and several unknown warning indicators flickered. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 72,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #51

Feb 142015

300

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #50

Jan 022016

300

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the battery saver mode warning light flashed and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #49

Jun 212015

300

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Wauconda, IL, USA

problem #48

Nov 162015

300

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the check battery warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and shut off the vehicle. After the vehicle was restarted, the contact stated that as she proceeded to drive, the instrument panel illuminated and the vehicle failed to shut off. The contact mentioned that the vehicle shut off when the battery post was removed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Panhandle, TX, USA

problem #47

Nov 132015

300

  • 62,000 miles
I press the start button my car and it came up service transmission, please put vehicle in park, my windshield wipers activated on their own (when they were in the off position), my heater continuously blew hot and I was unable to turn it off. I had to crawl through the backseat of my vehicle to open the trunk and disconnect it from the battery to cut the vehicle off. It also blind spot deter failed. A few months ago this happen while I was driving and the vehicle wouldn't go in park, with the same issues and they replaced my battery as well as my alternator but they said it was not in recall status. My car idled and attempted to go by itself and I was unable to control the vehicle.

- Albany, GA, USA

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