Chrysler maintenance: cost, plans and service schedule

Are Chryslers expensive to maintain?

Chryslers cost an average of $831 per year to maintain and repair, according to inflation-adjusted data from RepairPal, a site that compiles automotive repair costs. This earned Chrysler 11th place out of the 32 brands in RepairPal’s reliability rankings, which are generated based on the severity and the frequency of auto shop visits. However, while Chrysler remained middle of the pack in RepairPal’s rankings, it scored dead last in J.D. Power’s 2024 dependability study, which ranked 29 automakers.

As of publishing, Chrysler’s recent consumer reviews on our site are mostly positive. “I have a 2007 Touring Edition (Signature Series) with 115,000 miles on it now, and it runs like a dream,” wrote Carley, a ConsumerAffairs reviewer from Georgia, when reviewing their PT Cruiser. “Has very seldom problems with anything at all, and [is] very inexpensive to maintain.”

How Chrysler compares to other automakers

Chryslers tend to be marginally cheaper to keep running than the average vehicle, which costs about $891 each year in upkeep. Chrysler drivers can expect to visit a repair shop 0.3 times a year on average, and consumers report that 12% of repairs are severe. These figures are nearly identical to what the average car owner experiences across all manufacturers.

Chrysler maintenance and repair costs by model

While $831 per year is the average figure for all Chryslers, there’s quite a bit of variation when it comes to different models.

It’s also worth mentioning that, at the time of publishing, Chrysler has whittled its lineup down to just three models: the 300, the Pacifica and the Pacifica Hybrid. However, there are still a lot of older Chrysler models on the road. We’ll take a look at some of the brand’s most popular past models below.

All of the RepairPal figures we’ve used so far combine maintenance and repair costs into one statistic, which is useful for an overall comparison but less useful when you’re actually trying to set a budget. That’s because maintenance and repairs are very different services that require you to pay in different ways.

Maintenance, which tends to be done on a schedule, is fairly simple to budget for, but repairs are often a surprise, which can catch you off guard if you don’t have the money saved to absorb the expense. We’ll break down each in greater detail so you can get an idea of what to expect.

Chrysler maintenance schedule

All vehicles come with a maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer, and it’s key to your vehicle’s overall well-being that these services are completed within the allotted time frame. Otherwise, you may face significant problems later on.

While Chrysler’s specific maintenance plan is outlined in its owner’s manual, you can generally expect oil and filter changes, tire rotations and brake, belt and hose inspections every 10,000 miles; brake fluid, engine coolant, spark plug, transmission fluid and air filter replacements every 30,000 miles; and tire, brake pad and drive belt replacements every 40,000 miles. Just keep in mind that Chrysler’s recommendations for your vehicle may differ.

Chryslers aren’t luxury vehicles, so scheduled maintenance shouldn’t break the bank — especially because you can plan ahead for it. Check your owner’s manual to see what maintenance services Chrysler recommends, then talk with local mechanics to see how much they charge for the services you need.

Unfortunately, Chrysler doesn’t offer free maintenance on new vehicles like some other automakers do. However, you may be able to score some deals at your local shop or dealership.

2017 Chrysler 300 maintenance costs

For a rough idea of what maintenance might cost you, we collected maintenance cost estimates for a 2017 Chrysler 300. Bear in mind that your vehicle may need different services, and they may cost you more or less than the prices listed below.

Schedule maintenance for severe driving conditions

Like many other automotive manufacturers, Chrysler provides specific maintenance schedules for vehicles used in severe driving conditions, which can include driving in extreme temperatures, frequent short trips, stop-and-go driving in heavy traffic, driving on dusty, sandy or salty roads, towing a trailer or extensive idling.

If you often drive in these conditions, Chrysler typically recommends more frequent maintenance (oil changes, inspections and replacements) than for vehicles driven under normal conditions.

Chrysler repair costs

Repair costs are harder to anticipate with any degree of accuracy because you generally don’t know what’s going to go wrong with your Chrysler until it happens. We can make guesses about what you’re likely to encounter based on other people’s experiences (the probability of a Chrysler problem requiring a major repair is 12%, for example), but your individual experience may differ considerably.

“The Chrysler 300 … has better reliability over the Chrysler vans and the 200 series,” said Mike Miles, a mechanic with nearly two decades of experience. Still, he added that “a lot of it depends on the owner — how well is the car maintained over its lifespan?”

The two most commonly reported problems with Chryslers are a shuddering issue with the transmission and erratic shifting. The shuddering causes the vehicle to feel as though it’s driving over rumble strips, and erratic shifting delays the gear engagement. When we asked Miles about the common problems he sees, he said to add issues with carbon canisters and fuel systems to the list.

“There’s good in everything, and there’s bad in everything,” said Miles, “People expect way more quality for their buck, but that’s not always the case. You get what you pay for, and that’s the case with Chysler and its family of brands.”

2017 Chrysler 300 repair costs

According to RepairPal, the average repair on a 2017 Chrysler 300 costs $468 to $571, but the overall range of repair costs varies dramatically. While an air conditioner recharge might only cost $197, a speed sensor replacement could be more than $1,000.

How can an extended warranty help?

The good news is that your Chrysler's factory warranty can help you avoid paying out of pocket for unexpected repairs. New Chryslers come with bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for three years or 36,000 miles and powertrain warranty coverage for five years or 60,000 miles.

Getting quotes from different extended warranty companies can make you feel confident that you’re getting a good deal.

The bad news is that your factory warranty won’t last forever, meaning you may eventually be on the hook for a large repair bill.

That’s where extended warranties come in. These plans aren’t for everyone, but they can save you money by protecting you from paying for repairs should your Chrysler break down as a result of manufacturing defects. Chrysler offers extended warranties through Mopar (its official division for parts, service and customer care), but third-party warranty companies can offer better rates in certain cases.

Chrysler also offers prepaid maintenance plans through Mopar. These plans can potentially save you money on scheduled maintenance by shielding you from price increases and inflation, but it’s worth making sure you’re not overpaying in the first place before you sign up.

» MORE: Car warranty vs. car insurance