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Chrysler maintenance: cost, plans and service schedule

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    Whether you’re interested in buying a Chrysler or just deciding if it’s worth keeping yours past the factory warranty period, it’s important to know what upkeep might cost you long-term.

    We researched what you can expect when it comes to Chrysler ownership, including how much keeping a Chrysler running costs and how that compares to other brands.


    Key insights

    • Chryslers have mixed reliability ratings, but overall, they are reportedly a little less expensive to maintain and repair than the average vehicle.
    • Some models are more reliable than others, and the fact that Chrysler has narrowed its offerings down to three models as of publishing may impact its reliability ratings moving forward.
    • Extended warranties and prepaid maintenance plans can potentially save you money if you want to keep your Chrysler on the road long-term.

    Are Chryslers expensive to maintain?

    Chryslers cost an average of $608 per year to maintain and repair, according to RepairPal, a site that compiles automotive repair cost data. This earned Chrysler 11th place out of the 32 brands in RepairPal’s reliability rankings, which are compiled based on the severity and the frequency of auto shop visits. However, J.D. Power ranked Chrysler significantly lower in its 2023 dependability study, placing it 25th of 32 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 $652 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 basically match what the average car owner experiences across all manufacturers.

    MakeAverage maintenance and repair costs*
    Chrysler $608 per year
    Honda $428 per year
    Toyota $441 per year
    Ford $775 per year
    BMW $968 per year
    *According to RepairPal

    Chrysler maintenance and repair costs by model

    While $608 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 options below.

    ModelAverage maintenance and repair costs*
    200 $549 per year
    Town and Country $636 per year
    PT Cruiser $641 per year
    *According to RepairPal

    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.

    Chrysler 200 maintenance schedule

    Each Chrysler should come with a specific maintenance plan outlined in its owner manual. We’ve outlined the schedule for a Chrysler 200 below to give you an idea of common milestones, but just remember that Chrysler’s recommendations for your vehicle may differ.

    IntervalService
    Every 10,000 miles Oil and filter change
    Tire rotation
    Inspection of brakes, belts and hoses
    Every 30,000 miles Brake fluid replacement
    Engine coolant replacement
    Spark plug replacement
    Transmission fluid replacement
    Air filter replacement
    Every 40,000 miles Tire replacement
    Brake pad replacement
    Drive belt replacement
    Auto transmission service
    Timing belt replacement
    Every 60,000 miles Automatic transmission fluid replacement
    Timing belt replacement
    Spark plug replacement
    *According to RepairPal

    Chrysler maintenance costs

    Chryslers aren’t luxury vehicles, so scheduled maintenance shouldn’t break the bank — especially because you can plan ahead for it. Check your owners 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

    Just to establish 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.

    ServiceCost*
    Tire rotation $69 to $88
    Oil change $169 to $209
    Brake pad replacement $299 to $930
    Spark plug replacement $560 to $863
    *According to RepairPal

    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 life span?”

    You get what you pay for, and that’s the case with Chysler and its family of brands.”
    — Mike Miles, mechanic

    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 over $1,000.

    ServiceCost*
    AC recharge $197 to $230
    Windshield washer fluid reservoir replacement $246 to $289
    Brake caliper replacement $321 to $396
    Alternator replacement $761 to $785
    Vehicle speed sensor replacement $1,150 to $1,159
    *According to RepairPal

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      How can an extended warranty or maintenance plan 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 three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain warranty coverage.

      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


      ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
      1. RepairPal, “Chrysler Reliability Rating.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      2. J.D. Power, “Vehicle Dependability Improves Despite Continued Problems with Technology, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed May 31, 2023.
      3. RepairPal, “Chrysler Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      4. RepairPal, “Chrysler 200 Reliability Rating.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      5. RepairPal, “Chrysler Town & Country Reliability Rating.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      6. RepairPal, “Chrysler PT Cruiser Reliability Rating.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      7. RepairPal, “Chrysler 200 Maintenance Schedule.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      8. RepairPal, “2017 Chrysler 300 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      9. Mopar, “2017 All Vehicles WARRANTY INFORMATION-GAS.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      10. Chrysler, “MOPAR VEHICLE PROTECTION PREPAID OIL PLANS.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
      11. RepairPal, “Fair Price Estimator.” Accessed April 9, 2023.
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