Is the Chrysler 300 more reliable than the Dodge Charger?

Based on our data, the Dodge Charger is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chrysler 300 or the Dodge Charger?

The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Chrysler 300 (13). 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 Dodge Charger?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.3 for the Chrysler 300. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler 300 or the Dodge Charger?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chrysler 300 is cheaper to maintain at $631/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger: Reliability Compared

Chrysler 300

Good

More Reliable

Dodge Charger

Good

Choosing between the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger? 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 Dodge Charger currently leads with an average score of 73/100 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 Dodge Charger Generations Compare?

As of April 2026, the Dodge Charger is in its eighth generation, which began in 2024. This means the platform is still relatively new, and like many new designs, it may experience early production issues as the manufacturer works out initial kinks. In contrast, the Chrysler 300 is in its second generation, which started in 2011 and continued through 2023. This generation experienced a facelift in 2015, indicating a mature and more refined platform. Generally, vehicles later in their generational cycle, like the Chrysler 300, tend to be more reliable due to the resolution of earlier issues, whereas the newer Charger might still be undergoing refinements.

Verdict

The Dodge Charger is more reliable than the Chrysler 300, scoring 73/100 vs 72/100.

The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 both offer similar reliability profiles, with the Charger slightly edging out with an average reliability score of 73 compared to the 300's 72. Despite the Charger's higher recall count of 25 over nine years, its owner complaint rate of 2.2 per 10,000 sold is marginally better than the 300's 2.3. However, the Chrysler 300 benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost at $631 versus the Charger's $652. Overall, both models present comparable reliability, with the choice potentially hinging on repair cost considerations and personal preference in handling recalls.

Key Differences

1Chrysler 300 costs $21 less per year to repair
2Chrysler 300 has 12 fewer total recalls
3Chrysler 300 has 2% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

3Chrysler 300

—

3Dodge Charger

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger: Which Is More Reliable?

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chrysler 300	Dodge Charger
Reliability Score	72/100	73/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	13	25
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.3	2.2
Annual Repair Cost	$631/yr	$652/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.2/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	15%
Year Wins	0 (1 tied)	5 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger?

The Dodge Charger exhibits a higher total number of complaints, particularly in the air bags and electrical system categories, with air bag issues leading to 19 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Chrysler 300 reports fewer overall complaints, yet the electrical system remains its most problematic area, albeit with significantly fewer crash-linked incidents than the Charger. Notably, the Chrysler 300 has a higher proportion of issues related to unknown or other problems and a comparatively low incidence of structural issues. Both models show concerns in the power train category, but the Charger again has slightly more crash-linked complaints, suggesting a potentially higher risk in this area.

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger common problem areas comparison
Component	Chrysler 300	Dodge Charger
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	0.5Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.5Very Low	0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—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 Dodge Charger?

Based on industry estimates, the Dodge Charger incurs an annual repair cost of $652, which is slightly higher than the Chrysler 300's $631. Over five years, this difference amounts to an additional $105 for the Charger. The Charger visits the repair shop less frequently, with 0.2 visits per year compared to the Chrysler 300's 0.3 visits. However, the Charger has a higher major repair risk at 15%, versus the Chrysler 300's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Chrysler 300 presents a slightly better value with lower annual repair costs and a reduced risk of major repairs, despite needing more frequent minor repairs.

How Does Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger Reliability Compare by Year?

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chrysler 300	Dodge Charger	Edge
2023	75/1001R / 5C	76/1002R / 22C	Dodge Charger
2022	73/1002R / 5C	74/1003R / 11C	Dodge Charger
2021	73/1002R / 18C	76/1002R / 29C	Dodge Charger
2020	74/1002R / 10C	75/1003R / 54C	Dodge Charger
2019	71/1002R / 59C	71/1005R / 118C	Tie
2018	66/1004R / 151C	69/1006R / 121C	Dodge Charger

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chrysler 300 scored 75/100 and the 2023 Dodge Charger scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chrysler 300 vs the Dodge Charger?

If you prioritize a slightly more reliable option with fewer recalls, the Dodge Charger might be a better fit for you. With a reliability score of 73/100, the Charger edges out the Chrysler 300. However, keep in mind that it has experienced 25 recalls, which is more than the Chrysler's 13. The Charger also has a lower owner complaint rate of 2.2 per 10,000 sold, indicating a marginally better owner satisfaction. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about minimizing repair costs and frequency, consider the Chrysler 300. It offers slightly lower estimated annual repair costs at $631 compared to the Charger's $652. Additionally, its major repair risk is 13%, which is lower than the Charger's 15%. Although the Chrysler 300 has a slightly lower reliability score of 72/100, its balanced performance in other areas makes it a solid choice for those focused on cost efficiency.

Chrysler 300 vs Dodge Charger: Common Questions

Is the Chrysler 300 more reliable than the Dodge Charger?: Based on our data, the Dodge Charger is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chrysler 300 or the Dodge Charger?: The Dodge Charger has more recalls (25) compared to the Chrysler 300 (13). 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 Dodge Charger?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Charger has a lower complaint rate at 2.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.3 for the Chrysler 300. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chrysler 300 or the Dodge Charger?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chrysler 300 is cheaper to maintain at $631/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.

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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.

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