KnownCarProblems2012 Dodge Charger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 648 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Charger, most often about the electrical (55% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Charger model year since 2000 and has 14 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 Charger problems
Electrical
359 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn, wiring.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the anti-lock and skid warning indicators illuminated. The contact noticed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not…
Air bags
111 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was driving on the highway when the car sound like I had a flat tire . Got out there was no flat tires. Kept driving and the car shut off at the light . Started again and died on the street with no warning . Got the car towed to Dodge of pembroke pines florida . They don't know what's wrong . First they said the PCM…
I took my car in for routine engine oil replacement and tire rotation. After receiving it back I noticed a humming sound coming from the engine and the dash information center telling me that the car is now in battery saver mode.. Reading through the forums it seems this has been happening with people driving the same…
Engine
96 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle as the ABS, battery, and traction warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v634000 (electrical system) and 15v467000 (air bags, seat belts). While driving at any speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the dashboard. Additionally, the engine stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle…
Transmission
65 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I was going over a speed bump about 2 MPH and when the passenger rear tire goes over the speed bump it makes a loud clunk noise like it bottoms out. My ABS,traction and air bag light_ stays on and will not go off. When I make a right turn the shifter area clicks mutiple times like a type writer.
Dodge has known issues and recalls for alternators being defective in their 2012 Charger models but continues to make customers pay out of pocket to fix the issue. I purchased a 2012 Dodge Charger april 2012 cash. Recently my alternator stopped working on the car. I took the car to the nearest Dodge in my area to have…
Steering
53 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
So, I've had a problem with the electric p/s pump with it making grinding noises as I turn and locking up. I did end up replacing it because the dealer near me neglected to tell me there was a recall on it and wanted to charge me to fix it. The pump I replaced it with is starting to do it again... I want it replaced…
The radio turned off, every light on the instrument cluster lit up, wipers turned on automatically, lost both power break and power steering. All this at over 50 MPH with our young son in the back seat....eventually my wife was able to get the vehicle stopped, but even after many attempts was unable to put the car in…
Lights
52 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
My vehicle stalled luckily as I was getting on to the 91 eastbound euclid st on ramp. My vehicle could have stalled in the carpool lane. Also I had just dropped off my 7 month old daughter at my mother's house.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the front headlights failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
Brakes
46 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Complaint concerning: NHTSA preliminary evaluation #pe14022 on saturday 9/13/14 I was driving home from the store on a residential road going 35 miles per hour and my vehicle began to flash the ABS light. Then the emergency brake light began to flash, the touch screen went blank. My radio and A/C shut off, the windows…
I bought my Dodge Charger in 2 years ago for a recall on the alternator p60. My car has been giving me problems wow. Little things here and there. Then a few months ago the car shut off while I was driving and after a few minutes and turned itself back on. Which is part of the recall for the p60. It's been sitting in…
Stability control
35 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the ABS and traction control lights illuminated and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed because the brakes would not release. The dealer stated that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving at 30 MPH, the ABS and the traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
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 Charger 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
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the park position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s27. Note: on october 19, 2016 chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 dodge charger and chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured february 15, 2011, to november 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured july 16, 2012, to december 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in park, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s03.
Full defect summary
Fca US llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 dodge charger vehicles manufactured august 23, 2010, to january 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
Seat belts
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the occupant restraint control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on august 25, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r35.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 dodge charger vehicles manufactured may 6, 2010, to june 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
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.
Lights: headlights
Risk: Loss of headlights reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs, or the headlamp assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on may 2, 2014. Owners may contract chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is p08. This recall concerns non-police vehicles. A separate campaign was launched in 2012 to address police vehicles. See NHTSA recall 12v-042.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 dodge charger vehicles manufactured may 20, 2010, through november 8, 2011, and equipped with halogen headlamps. In the affected vehicles, a sub-harness for the headlights may overheat and cause the low beam headlights to go out.
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.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk: This could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 18, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles may lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Lights: headlights
Risk: This could lead to loss of visibility and/or braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse within the power distribution center, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 2, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 dodge charger police vehicles. The low beam headlamps of some vehicles could fail due to an overheated bulb harness connector. Other vehicles may lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Wheels and tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk: Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicleâs TPMS. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 2, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 dodge charger srt8 and the chrysler 300 srt8 vehicles manufactured from may 2, 2011, through november 17, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 138, "tire pressure monitoring system" (TPMS). As built, the TPMS does not warn the driver when a tire is 25 percent below the recommended pressure. The recalled vehicles notify the customers when the tire pressure reaches 22 psi rather than the required 24 psi.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
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
Vehicle rollaway, engine on
Summary
On april 22, 2016, fiat chrysler automotive US llc, (fca) submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in unattended vehicle rollaway with the engine running in approximately 811,586 model year (my) 2012 to 2014 dodge charger and chrysler 300 vehicles and my 2014 to 2015 jeep grand cherokee vehicles equipped with 8-speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector (NHTSA recall #16v-240, fca recall #s27). According to fca's dir, the existing strategies built into these vehicles to deter drivers from exiting the vehicle after failing to put the transmission into park have not stopped some from doing so. Drivers erroneously concluding that their ve
Alternator failure
Summary
On july 22, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-022 to investigate 14 complaints (voqs) alleging incidents of alternator failure resulting in engine stall while driving in model year (my) 2011 through 2012 dodge charger vehicles.the my 2011 through 2012 dodge charger vehicles were sold with three different engine options:1) 3.6l v6 (vin8 = g), 88,766 vehicles; 2) 5.7l v8 (vin8 = t), 38,615 vehicles; and 3) 6.4l v8 (vin8 = j), 2,406 my 2012 vehicles.the 14 voqs identified in the pe14-022 opening resume involve 13 vehicles with 3.6l v6 engines and 1 vehicle with unknown engine (no VIN provided).in an october 7, 2014 letter to NHTSA, chrysler described a safety defect co
Questions about the 2012 Dodge Charger
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Charger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (359 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); air bags (111 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); engine (96 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?
- 14 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 Charger?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Charger model year since 2000, with 648 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.