Last updated: 2026-07-26
Chrysler 300 vs Nissan Maxima: Reliability Compared
Chrysler 300
Nissan Maxima
Choosing between the Chrysler 300 and the Nissan Maxima? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Maxima currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chrysler 300 and Nissan Maxima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Maxima is more reliable than the Chrysler 300, scoring 76/100 vs 72/100.
The Nissan Maxima edges out the Chrysler 300 in terms of reliability with a higher average reliability score of 76 out of 100 compared to the Chrysler's 72. Despite having a higher owner complaint rate per 10,000 vehicles at 6.5 compared to Chrysler's 2.3, the Maxima benefits from significantly fewer recalls, with just 4 over six years versus the Chrysler's 13. Additionally, the Maxima has a lower estimated annual repair cost at $540, making it a more cost-effective choice for maintenance. While both vehicles have issues in common, such as the electrical system and power train, the Maxima's overall reliability profile is more favorable.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Maxima costs $91 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Maxima has 9 fewer total recalls
- 3Chrysler 300 has 4.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chrysler 300 vs Nissan Maxima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chrysler 300 | Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 4 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.3 | 6.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $631/yr | $540/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 13% | 15% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 5 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chrysler 300 and Nissan Maxima?
The Chrysler 300 exhibits a higher volume of complaints with a total of 248, with significant issues in the electrical system and air bags, the latter having 9 crash-linked incidents. This suggests potential safety concerns, particularly with air bags, which are not as pronounced in the Nissan Maxima. In contrast, the Maxima, with only 84 complaints, has a more diverse distribution of issues, including service brakes and forward collision avoidance, but lacks a single dominant problem area. Both models share concerns related to the power train and structure, yet the Chrysler 300's electrical and air bag problems mark it as having more critical safety-related issues.
| Component | Chrysler 300 | Nissan Maxima |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| STEERING | —None | —None |
| ENGINE | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chrysler 300 or Nissan Maxima?
How Does Chrysler 300 vs Nissan Maxima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chrysler 300 | Nissan Maxima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75/1001R / 5C | 77/1000R / 1C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2022 | 73/1002R / 5C | 77/1000R / 5C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2021 | 73/1002R / 18C | 77/1000R / 3C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2020 | 74/1002R / 10C | 74/1001R / 21C | Tie |
| 2019 | 71/1002R / 59C | 76/1001R / 18C | Nissan Maxima |
| 2018 | 66/1004R / 151C | 72/1002R / 36C | Nissan Maxima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chrysler 300 scored 75/100 and the 2023 Nissan Maxima scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chrysler 300 vs the Nissan Maxima?
Chrysler 300 vs Nissan Maxima: Common Questions
- Is the Chrysler 300 more reliable than the Nissan Maxima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Maxima is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chrysler 300 or the Nissan Maxima?
- The Chrysler 300 has more recalls (13) compared to the Nissan Maxima (4). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chrysler 300 or the Nissan Maxima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chrysler 300 has a lower complaint rate at 2.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.5 for the Nissan Maxima. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler 300 or the Nissan Maxima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Maxima is cheaper to maintain at $540/year versus $631/year for the Chrysler 300.
- Is the Chrysler 300 or Nissan Maxima safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Nissan Maxima has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Chrysler 300. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Chrysler 300 and Nissan Maxima? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue