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2012 Dodge Challenger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 253 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger, most often about the electrical (55% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Challenger model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2012 Dodge Challenger problems
Electrical
138 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
While driving down highway at 55mph I noticed a whining sound and a few miles later I lost all electrical functions in my car including the steering and the car shut off. When I had it towed to the Dodge dealership they told me the alternator had failed. Car is a 2012 Dodge Challenger sxt plus v6 3.6l. While there is…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in…
Air bags
47 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles.
I was making a left turn from "stop light" at 10 MPH when I pressed the throttle just a little to proceed with a safe turn, the car started accelerating quickly and I lost control of the car and end up hitting the light pole. But before all that my buddy who happens to be a certified "nissan" mechanic have noticed…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16v352000 (air bags); however, the technician stated that the wiring harness was defective and needed to be replaced. The…
Engine
25 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. While driving 45 MPH, all the instrument panel lights illuminated. In addition, the gauges failed to function and the rpms increased excessively when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced.…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the push start feature did not function and the brakes seized. The ABS, the traction control, and the check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician declined to diagnose the vehicle. The contact…
Other or unspecified
20 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles.
While parked and turned off window repeatedly lowers and raises itself as if you were opening the door, draining the battery and resulting car not starting. Replacing battery does not fix. Problem has also occurred while driving.
I was driving home from work. My 2012 Dodge Challenger rt stalled and shut off. While driving 70 MPH on the interstate. I had the car towed home. Sent to the dealership. They did diagnostic tests. Told me the car had jumped timing. In 2014 there was a recall on the timing chain components. It was repaired in 2017. Now…
Steering
19 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
I have a hard time steering my car. I have the electrical hydraulic power steering on my car. The owner manual does not match the car. I have after market wheels on my car and they have been on there for over two years now. Never had any problems until now. The dealership say its my after market rims but a lot of…
I had observed a whining sound for several weeks before the incident. It was like a power steering pump without any fluid in it. I tried to listen under the hood to locate the sound but it seemed like it was coming from low in the engine bay on the left side, looking at it. My wife left for work and as she pulled off…
Transmission
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles.
While driving on a two lane road, the car began to lose power and steering control. It became very difficult to get the car to a safe location. It turned out to be the alternator. I saw on this website the older 2012 cars challengers were recalled with the same engine and alternator. I was very lucky not to have…
Driving, on a city street when going to make a turn onto highway. When I attempted to change gears, the shifter handle bracket broke away from transmission and shifter handle fell to the side. This is a 6 speed manual transmission.
Brakes
10 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. While driving 45 MPH, the brakes failed and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the emergency brake was activated to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Driving to work. Car starts to make a whining noise then the ABS and stability control lights come on, I drive the car up the road a little more and the radio turns off and the gauges start to move erratically and then the car just died, completely in the middle of the road, when the hood was raised you could clearly…
Suspension
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact was driving 65 MPH and crashed into a median. The driver's side fender and door were damaged. The contact sustained neck and rib injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised that the…
Involved in a head on collision,the others drive was on our side of the road and hit US head on , the air bags didn't deploy and sent me into the dash board along with the driver , I sustained severe whiplash and so did the driver we were transported to the hospital by ambulance and I am now j sergio g physical…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Dodge Challenger recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 4, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v01.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2010 dodge ram 3500, ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 dodge dakota, 2010-2014 dodge challenger, 2010-2015 dodge challenger, chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 jeep wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 28, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u03.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2009-2013 jeep wrangler, chrysler 300, dodge challenger and dodge charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 dodge dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 ram 4500 cab chassis, ram 5500 cab chassis, ram 3500 cab chassis, jeep wrangler, chrysler 300, dodge dakota, dodge challenger, and dodge charger vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t36.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 dodge challenger, dodge charger, chrysler 300, dodge durango, and 2012-2014 jeep grand cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (ehps) and are equipped with a 5.7l or a 3.6l engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the chrysler, dodge, jeep and ram owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s43. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-7700.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 ram 2500 trucks produced at the st. Louis north assembly plant. With this change, chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 ram 3500, 2007-2010 ram 3500 cab chassis, 2008-2010 ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, 2004-2009 dodge durango, 2007-2009 chrysler aspen, 2007-2012 jeep wrangler, 2008-2012 dodge challenger, 2005-2008 dodge magnum, 2005-2012 chrysler 300, 2006-2012 dodge charger, 2005-2011 dodge dakota, and 2006-2009 mitsubishi raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 r
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p60.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 chrysler 300, dodge charger, challenger, and durango; and 2012-2014 jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured april 22, 2010, to january 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6l engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on april 22, 2013. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is n07.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 chrysler 300, dodge challenger, and dodge charger vehicles manufactured april 11, 2011, through december 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Challenger
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (138 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); air bags (47 complaints, typically around 35,500 miles); engine (25 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Dodge Challenger?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Challenger model year since 2000, with 253 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.