2017 Chrysler 300 — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $13,000–$20,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Kestrel Take
An old-school rear-drive American sedan that got better as it aged. The 3.6 Pentastar and 8-speed ZF are a proven combination — this is the FCA product that mostly avoided FCA's problems. Watch for police-fleet and rental history, not mechanical landmines.
What we checked
Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11
NHTSA holds 82 owner complaints for the 2017 Chrysler 300, across 2 recall campaigns.
A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 35% of them are about one thing — electrics and electronics. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.
2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.
Looked at and set aside: airbags (6) — 6 airbag complaints on file, almost always a recall matter rather than a repair bill; have a dealer check this VIN for open airbag campaigns and confirm any were performed.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2017 Chrysler 300
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
Left-bank head problems plagued the 2011-2013 Pentastar and were largely fixed by 2014. On a 2017, verify no head work and no misfire codes on cylinders 2, 4, or 6.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,200-$2,200
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (4).
FCA electrical modules of this era have a reputation. Test every window, the horn, and the wipers before buying.
Repair cost (estimate): $400-$1,200
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (29).
AWD models can develop a driveline vibration at 40-60 mph from the transfer case or center bearing.
Repair cost (estimate): $500-$1,500
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (6).
Taillight gaskets let water into the spare tire well. Check for a damp mat.
Repair cost (estimate): $50-$250
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the body and structure (11), the lights (4).
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Police, taxi, or rental use history on the title
- ✗Vibration at highway speed
- ✗Water in the trunk well
- ✗Aftermarket 22-inch wheels — usually paired with a hard life
Good Signs
- ✓3.6L Pentastar with 8-speed ZF — the durable combination
- ✓Rear-wheel drive with no driveline vibration
- ✓One-owner with dealer service records
Found a specific Chrysler 300?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2017 Chrysler 300 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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