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

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Chrysler 300 is cheaper to maintain — about $2,260 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 3.5L V6 and the 5.7L V8 HEMI?

Across 38 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Chrysler 300 or Chrysler 300?

The Chrysler 300 has 7 open NHTSA recalls. The Chrysler 300 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2010 Chrysler 300 vs 2024 Chrysler 300 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2010

2024

Engine

3.5L V6

5.7L V8 HEMI

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

363hp

Torque

—lb-ft

394lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

5.8s

Quarter Mile

—

14.2s @ 99 mph

Top Speed

—

140 mph

Skidpad

—

0.83 g

60–0 Braking

—

126 ft

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

—

4,230 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Achilles' Heel

Engine-specific failure modes mechanics see in the bays — with probability, typical onset mileage, and fix cost. The data Mitchell and AllData hide behind paywalls.

VEHICLE A

Chrysler 300

3.5L V6

Reliability data not yet generated

VEHICLE B

Chrysler 300

5.7L V8 HEMI

5/10

2 catastrophic3 moderate3 minor

The 2024 300 uses the final iteration of the 5.7L HEMI before discontinuation. MDS lifter failure remains the overwhelming concern—forums consistently report 40-60% failure rates by 100k miles. This engine shares the same fundamental architecture and MDS system as 2009-2023 versions, with all associated issues. Overall score reflects a fundamentally sound design compromised by the MDS system and manifold bolt issues. Without MDS, this would be a 7-8/10 engine.

Reliability data pending.

catastrophic55% probability

MDS Lifter Failure

📏 60k–120k mi💵 $4,000–$8,000🏪 Shop only

Multi-Displacement System (MDS) roller lifters fail internally, causing collapsed lifters, damaged camshaft lobes, and metal debris circulation. Often requires complete engine teardown, camshaft replacement, all 16 lifters, and sometimes cylinder head work. This is THE defining failure mode of 5.7L HEMIs from 2009-2024.

Symptoms: loud ticking/tapping at idle · P0300-P0308 misfire codes · MIL illumination · lifter tick that worsens when warm · loss of power

catastrophic12% probability

Valve Seat Recession/Drop

📏 100k–180k mi💵 $3,500–$6,500🏪 Shop only

Exhaust valve seats can separate from the cylinder head casting and drop into the combustion chamber, causing immediate catastrophic damage. More common on pre-2015 HEMIs but still documented on newer variants. Requires cylinder head removal, machining, and valve seat replacement or head replacement.

Symptoms: sudden misfire · catastrophic loss of compression on one cylinder · metallic rattling · P030X codes · potential piston damage if valve contacts piston

moderate35% probability

Exhaust Manifold Bolt Failure/Cracking

📏 40k–90k mi💵 $800–$1,800🏪 Shop only

Exhaust manifold bolts snap due to thermal cycling, or manifolds themselves crack. Very common on 5.7L HEMIs. Bolts are often seized into the head, requiring drilling/extraction. Some require manifold replacement if cracked.

Symptoms: loud ticking or tapping from engine bay · exhaust leak smell · ticking that increases with RPM · visible soot around manifold

moderate25% probability

Oil Consumption

📏 80k–150k mi💵 $2,500–$5,000🏪 Shop only

Piston ring wear or valve guide seal deterioration causes oil consumption of 1qt per 1000-2000 miles. Some engines consume oil from new due to ring seating issues. Chrysler considers 1qt per 2000 miles 'acceptable.' Severe cases require engine teardown, new rings, honing, and valve seal replacement.

Symptoms: low oil level between changes · blue smoke on startup or acceleration · oil burning smell · fouled spark plugs

moderate18% probability

Coolant Crossover Tube Leak

📏 70k–130k mi💵 $600–$1,200🏪 Shop only

Coolant crossover tube under the intake manifold develops leaks at O-ring seals or cracks. Requires intake manifold removal to access. Coolant can leak into valley and cause corrosion or enter oil system in severe cases.

Symptoms: coolant loss with no visible external leak · coolant smell from engine bay · low coolant warning · steam from under intake manifold

minor30% probability

Spark Plug Fouling/Electrode Erosion

📏 30k–60k mi💵 $200–$400🔧 DIY-friendly

Factory spark plugs wear prematurely, especially on MDS-equipped engines. Electrode erosion and carbon fouling on deactivated cylinders. Chrysler service interval is too long for real-world conditions.

Symptoms: misfire codes · rough idle · hesitation · reduced fuel economy · difficulty starting

minor20% probability

Camshaft Position Sensor Failure

📏 60k–120k mi💵 $150–$350🔧 DIY-friendly

Camshaft position sensors fail due to heat exposure and oil contamination. Causes intermittent starting issues and drivability problems. Relatively easy fix but can strand vehicle.

Symptoms: P0340/P0344 codes · intermittent no-start · rough idle · hesitation on acceleration · check engine light

minor15% probability

VVT Solenoid Failure

📏 80k–140k mi💵 $200–$450🔧 DIY-friendly

Variable Valve Timing (VVT) oil control solenoids fail due to contamination or electrical issues. Affects cam phasing and engine performance. Relatively inexpensive repair but can cause drivability concerns.

Symptoms: P0010/P0013 codes · rough idle · reduced fuel economy · check engine light · slight performance loss

Reliability scores and issue probabilities are synthesized from manufacturer TSBs, NHTSA complaints, forum-documented patterns, and instrumented technician reports. Treat as informed estimates, not guarantees — individual vehicles vary widely with maintenance history.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$17,221

0.29 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$19,481

0.32 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEChrysler 300 — Saves you $2,260 over 5 years (13% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Excessive Oil Consumption (5.7L HEMI)

— hrs

— hrs$5,200 / 5yr

HEMI MDS Lifter and Camshaft Failure

— hrs

— hrs$4,063 / 5yr

2.7L V6 Oil Sludge and Catastrophic Engine Failure

— hrs$3,900 / 5yr

— hrs

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Cooler Clogging

— hrs$2,600 / 5yr

— hrs

NAG1 Transmission Output Shaft Bearing and Solenoid Pack Failure

— hrs$2,275 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil & filter change

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

8-Speed Automatic Transmission Shudder and Slipping

— hrs

— hrs$1,453 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

Front Lower Control Arm Bushings

— hrs

— hrs$585 / 5yr

Water Pump Failure (3.6L)

— hrs

— hrs$560 / 5yr

Front Suspension Lower Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

— hrs$553 / 5yr

— hrs

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks

— hrs

— hrs$553 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.7 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and Ignition TIPM Failures

— hrs$385 / 5yr

— hrs

Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Leaks (3.5L V6)

— hrs$385 / 5yr

— hrs

Oxygen sensor

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$195 / 5yr

Water pump

2.8 hrs$189 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

Alternator

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Ignition coil

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

Evaporative Emissions System Leaks and Purge Valve Failure

— hrs$149 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

7 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

🏆

ADVANTAGEChrysler 300 — 7 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Chrysler 300

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant12.00 qt · MS-9769

engine_oil5.50 qt · API SM or SN

power_steering2.80 qt · MS-9602

rear_diff2.10 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto9.50 qt · MS-9602

washer4.00 qt · windshield washer fluid

Chrysler 300

brake0.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant15.00 qt · MS-12106

engine_oil7.00 qt · API SP / ILSAC GF-6A

power_steering · none — electric power steering

rear_diff1.40 qt · API GL-5 with limited-slip additive

transmission_auto9.50 qt · MS-9602 (ATF+4) or ZF LifeguardFluid 8

washer1.00 qt · windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2010 Chrysler 300

3.5L V6

Chrysler 300 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$2,260 over 5 years)
Chrysler 300 has 7 fewer open NHTSA recalls

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.