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Chrysler Car Guide: Common Problems, Maintenance & Best Used Models

What Chrysler owners report most, model by model, drawn from 15,798 complaints filed with the U.S. safety regulator. Plus recalls, a service schedule and the model years to check carefully.

Data as of 2010 to 2026 model years

Quick facts

Chrysler

Origin
American
Status
Sold new in the U.S.
Most complaints
Town and Country (5,189)
Most-reported area
Electrical system
Busiest model year
2015 (2,487 complaints)
owner complaints on file with NHTSA
15,798
models with at least one complaint
14
of complaints mention electrical system
38%
recall campaigns covering the Town and Country
18

01Common problems by model

Chrysler Common Problems by Model

The 8 Chrysler models with the most owner complaints, and the part of the car each complaint was about.

Chrysler models with the most NHTSA complaints, 2010 to 2026 model years
ModelComplaintsMost-reported areasModel year with the mostRecalls
Town and Country5,189Electrical system and engine2010 (1,556)18
2004,188Engine and electrical system2015 (1,993)16
Pacifica3,713Engine and electrical system2017 (1,526)39
3001,802Electrical system and airbags2012 (426)27
Pacifica PLUG-IN Hybrid377Electrical system and engine2022 (103)4
Pacifica Hybrid237Hybrid system and electrical system2018 (133)6
300C119Electrical system and engine2013 (35)1
Sebring89Airbags and seat belts2010 (86)4
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases, read on October 12, 2026. Complaints are reports filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold, so best-selling models appear higher.

The Town and Country leads with 5,189 complaints, most of them about electrical system and engine. That does not make it the worst Chrysler. A model that sells in large numbers collects more reports, and these counts are not adjusted for sales.

Use the table to know where to look. If you own or are buying one of these models, ask about the area in the third column first, and price the repair with the repair cost estimator.

02Problem areas

Where Chrysler Problems Concentrate

Every Chrysler complaint names the part of the vehicle involved. These are the areas named most often across all 14 models.

By part of the vehicle

  1. Electrical system6,045 · 38%
  2. Engine3,979 · 25%
  3. Powertrain2,942 · 19%
  4. Airbags1,790 · 11%
  5. Steering1,178 · 7%
  6. Brakes985 · 6%

One complaint can name more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

By model year

  1. 20101,832
  2. 20111,338
  3. 20121,713
  4. 20131,650
  5. 20141,076
  6. 20152,487
  7. 2016955
  8. 20171,734
  9. 20181,254
  10. 2019419
  11. 2020251
  12. 2021437
  13. 2022340
  14. 2023201
  15. 202471
  16. 202529
  17. 202611

Recent model years have had less time to gather complaints, so a short bar at the bottom is not yet good news.

03Best and worst used models

Chrysler Model Years to Check Carefully

The model years of each popular model that drew the most complaints. Start your questions there when you shop used.

How to choose a used car

  • 5,189 complaints

    Chrysler Town and Country

    1. 20101,556 complaints
      5 recalls
    2. 2011773 complaints
      3 recalls
    3. 2013681 complaints
      4 recalls

    Mostly about electrical system and engine.

  • 4,188 complaints

    Chrysler 200

    1. 20151,993 complaints
      8 recalls
    2. 2012638 complaints
      4 recalls
    3. 2013628 complaints
      5 recalls

    Mostly about engine and electrical system.

  • 3,713 complaints

    Chrysler Pacifica

    1. 20171,526 complaints
      11 recalls
    2. 2018877 complaints
      12 recalls
    3. 2021374 complaints
      7 recalls

    Mostly about engine and electrical system.

  • 1,802 complaints

    Chrysler 300

    1. 2012426 complaints
      9 recalls
    2. 2013306 complaints
      6 recalls
    3. 2014237 complaints
      8 recalls

    Mostly about electrical system and airbags.

A year with many complaints is one to inspect closely, not one to rule out. The fault may have been fixed under recall, and a well-maintained car from a busy year can be a better buy than a neglected one from a quiet year.

Before you buy any used Chrysler, decode the VIN, check it for open recalls and follow the inspection checklist. A complaint count cannot tell you about the one car in front of you.

04Recalls

Chrysler Recalls by Model

The number of safety recall campaigns that cover each model, with the most recent ones listed.

  • Chrysler Town and Country recalls

    18

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2016 model years

    1. Dec 17, 2025Equipment adaptive and mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement25V876000
    2. Jul 7, 2020Airbags: frontal20V396000
    3. Dec 21, 2017Equipment17V824000
    4. Jun 24, 2016Powertrain: automatic transmission16V461000
    5. May 16, 2016Seats: mid/rear assembly16V300000

  • Chrysler 200 recalls

    16

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2018 model years

    1. May 17, 2018Electrical system: wiring18V332000
    2. Oct 10, 2017Seats: front assembly17V640000
    3. Sep 15, 2016Seat belts: pretensioner16V668000
    4. Aug 10, 2016Steering16V589000
    5. Jul 12, 2016Powertrain: automatic transmission16V529000

  • Chrysler Pacifica recalls

    39

    recall campaigns, 2016 to 2026 model years

    1. Sep 1, 2026Stability control26V561000
    2. Aug 13, 2026Backup camera system: sensing system26V531000
    3. Jun 4, 2026Electrical system: propulsion system26V362000
    4. Jun 2, 2026Airbags: frontal26V358000
    5. May 21, 2026Backup camera system: sensing system26V327000

  • Chrysler 300 recalls

    27

    recall campaigns, 2010 to 2023 model years

    1. Mar 14, 2024Airbags: side/window24V198000
    2. Feb 15, 2024Parking brake24V112000
    3. Oct 27, 2022Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems22V808000
    4. Jul 14, 2022Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems22V504000
    5. Jul 8, 2021Visibility: windshield21V516000
Check your VIN at NHTSA

A recall is free to have repaired at a Chrysler dealer. The lookup shows only the recalls still open on your vehicle.

05Maintenance schedule

Chrysler Maintenance Schedule

Typical service intervals for a gasoline Chrysler. Your owner’s manual has the exact figures for your engine.

Build a schedule for your mileage
Typical maintenance intervals for a Chrysler
ServiceTypical intervalGood to know
Engine oil and filter5,000 to 10,000 milesFull synthetic sits at the long end. Short trips and towing shorten it.
Tire rotation5,000 to 8,000 milesEasiest to do at every oil change.
Cabin air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesSooner in dusty or high-pollen areas.
Engine air filter15,000 to 30,000 milesInspect at every oil change and replace when dirty.
Brake fluidEvery 2 years or 30,000 milesIt absorbs moisture with age, whatever the mileage.
Transmission fluid30,000 to 60,000 milesVaries widely, and some manuals allow longer. Use only the specified fluid.
Engine coolant30,000 to 60,000 milesLong-life coolants can go further. Never mix types.
Drive belt inspection60,000 to 100,000 milesReplace at the first cracks, fraying or squeal.
Timing belt, if fitted60,000 to 100,000 milesEngines with a timing chain do not have this service.
Spark plugs30,000 to 100,000 milesCopper plugs wear fastest. Iridium and platinum last longest.
Typical intervals drawn from AAA's maintenance guidance, not Chrysler's own schedule. Follow the schedule in your owner's manual, and use its severe-service intervals if you tow, make short trips or drive in extreme heat or cold.
Maintenance by mileageOil change calculatorWhat each service costs

06Manufacturer OBD2 codes

Chrysler OBD2 Codes

How to read the codes a Chrysler stores, and why some of them mean something different on another make.

A Chrysler stores two kinds of trouble code. Generic codes, which have 0 as their second character, mean the same thing on every make: P0420 is a catalyst efficiency fault on a Chrysler exactly as it is on any other car. Manufacturer-specific codes, which have 1 as their second character, are defined by Chrysler and can mean something different elsewhere.

We do not publish a list of Chrysler’s own P1 codes, because we could not verify one against Chrysler’s service information. For a P1 code, use a scanner that reads Chrysler codes, or ask a Chrysler dealer to look it up.

Free toolLook up a generic codeMeaning, common causes and whether it is safe to keep driving.
How OBD2 code types work

07Related guides and tools

Next steps for Chrysler owners and buyers.

Guides

Free tools

All car brandsUsed car buying guide

08Questions

Chrysler: common questions.

What are the most common Chrysler problems?

Among 2010 to 2026 model-year Chrysler vehicles, the areas owners report most often to NHTSA are electrical system (38% of complaints), engine (25% of complaints) and powertrain (19% of complaints). A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect.

Which Chrysler model has the most complaints?

The Town and Country, with 5,189 complaints on file for 2010 to 2026 model years. Its 2010 model year has the most, at 1,556. Popular models attract more complaints simply because more of them are on the road.

How do I check a Chrysler for recalls?

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows safety recalls that have not been repaired on that exact vehicle, and recall repairs are carried out by the manufacturer's dealers at no charge.

How often does a Chrysler need servicing?

Most gasoline cars need an oil change and tire rotation every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and brake fluid every two years. Your Chrysler owner's manual gives the exact schedule for your engine.

09About this guide

Where the figures come from.

Every count on this page comes from records published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was read on . We count the records. We do not reproduce owners’ statements, and we do not rate or rank models ourselves.

CarTipsMentor is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Chrysler. The Chrysler name and logo belong to their owner and are used only to identify the make. Full disclaimer.

Sources

  1. [1]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Vehicle owner complaints database
  2. [2]National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safety recalls by vehicle
  3. [3]AAA Automotive, Time-Stamped Car Maintenance Checklist

Complaint counts cover 2010 to 2026 model years. Each complaint is counted once and assigned to the model named in the complaint. Counts change as new complaints are filed.