2012 Dodge Charger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Charger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical35939.5%
- Airbags11112.2%
- Engine9610.5%
- Powertrain (other)647.0%
- Steering535.8%
- Driver assistance535.8%
- Exterior lighting525.7%
- Brakes465.1%
- Visibility151.6%
- Fuel system131.4%
- Body & structure111.2%
- Other / unspecified111.2%
- Suspension101.1%
- Seat belts80.9%
- Interior & seats40.4%
- Tires & wheels30.3%
- Transmission10.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Headlight pigtail assembly burned out as described in the 2014 safety recall. 14V-101 / P08 Recall Summary The wiring sub-harnesses for the headlights may overheat, and the low beam headlights may fail. Dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs or the headlight assemblies as needed free of charge to resolve the concern.
My vehicle has been experiencing electrical issues causing my radio to cut off and my car to cut off and lose power while driving. When the car is moving and loses power it's causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
My airbag light comes on intermittently and when I called the dealership and told them they brushed it off as nothing. My car already had open recalls for the airbag and got fixed but it’s still having the same issues. I had the car since October of 2025 and there was no lights on when I financed it. The car has had 2 airbag related recalls done in 2015, 2019. Is there any way of getting my vehicle fixed by the dealership or manufacturer due to a safety concern of the airbag light randomly coming on. The dealership and manufacturer is claiming out of date for the work and it’s my job to pay for the diagnostic fee for the airbag light/getting it fixed.
While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear while driving and the airbags. The dealership is not going to warranty anything because it's past. It does it off and on, and I don't know when it's going to happen. Popping in and out of gear. So I took it to the [XXX] 4025 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell Idaho. 83605. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Says that my car is simply just dead smells like gas when trying to start up and shakes but doesn’t start up
I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealerships. I have receipts for parts I have replaced that were recalled, as diagnostics tests. This has been going on since 2022 one after another and then affects other parts I even asked them to do a software update for the electronic monostable gear they said no.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear while driving and the airbags. The dealership is not going to warranty anything because it's past. It does it off and on, and I don't know when it's going to happen. Popping in and out of gear. So I took it to the [XXX] 4025 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell Idaho. 83605. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Can not put car into park i have took it to normals dealership and referred to me that it's a recall issue.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I purchased the car it had been used as a police car in the state of Mississippi. So after I bought the car I checked for any recalls and found it to have 2 open recalls. 1 was a passenger side airbag and the other was the alternator. So I contacted Moss motor company in South Pittsburg Tennessee and they agreed to do the recalls. After they had finished installing the air bag they told me the alternator wasn't required for change out because the part number listed on it wasn't warranted. So I did some investigating and found my part number to be 7030. The part numbers not required for change out is 7051-7031-and 7170.. It's listed under the NHTSA S68/16v-739 recall. Since I've had the car I have had blinking headlight issues.. I have a little bit of automobile knowledge and I knew it had to be a grounding problem or a alternator problem. So I even added a couple of grounds from the engine to the chassis with no improvement. So I contacted a good friend of mine whom is a retired Dodge Chrysler master technician and he agreed to check my alternator for fluctuating amperage. He placed a device around the lead wire coming from the alternator to the battery and when he did the needle was constantly fluctuating very rapidly probably 2/3 across the entire dial. So there is no question whatsoever the alternator is the source of the problem. There's one more issue I would like to report. When I carried my car in for the recalls to be performed the technician didn't even bother to raise the hood of the car to check the part number on the alternator.. The reason I know this is because he didn't take my car to the shop area, he pulled my car in front of the high bay doors and installed the passenger side airbag.. I did witness this.. But not 1 time did I see him raise the hood. It took me a 30x magnifying glass and a flashlight to take the photo clearly showing the part number on my current alternator that was supposed to be changed. Photo attached is part number.
Service power steering warning comes on, causes my gauge cluster to go blank & dark, I lose A/C, power steering, headlights work intermittently, blinkers & all steering wheel button options stop working, and my transmission will start downshifting shifting erratically. It downshifts so hard I'm afraid I'll lose control of my car. Yesterday I had a message pop up saying it was going into Power Saving Mode. When the power steering warning is on, my A/C will have half the vents blowing cold air, the other half blowing hot heater air. During the winter my heated seats only worked intermittently. All of these issues are related to the past recalls on my car that were supposedly fixed; however, the problems are still occurring. Can somebody please contact me about these recalls and tell me what I should do? Thank you!
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Brake Light, ABS Light, and Traction Control Light lit up on dash. Took car to dealership and the issue was diagnosed as a faulty ABS module. This is MOPAR part 68160269AB, which is discontinued. I was also told that there were no after-market options, and that programming a used one might not work. So I have no option to get ABS functionality for my car. I am willing to pay for the part and labor to get this repaired, and Dodge is not even giving me the option.
Was just driving and the engine just cut off now it want start. I carried it to a certified mechanic he said the motor locked up. He also said it's common for this 3.6 to do this. Something about stuff getting in the engine and causes the bearings to mess up and the pistons.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I purchased the car it had been used as a police car in the state of Mississippi. So after I bought the car I checked for any recalls and found it to have 2 open recalls. 1 was a passenger side airbag and the other was the alternator. So I contacted Moss motor company in South Pittsburg Tennessee and they agreed to do the recalls. After they had finished installing the air bag they told me the alternator wasn't required for change out because the part number listed on it wasn't warranted. So I did some investigating and found my part number to be 7030. The part numbers not required for change out is 7051-7031-and 7170.. It's listed under the NHTSA S68/16v-739 recall. Since I've had the car I have had blinking headlight issues.. I have a little bit of automobile knowledge and I knew it had to be a grounding problem or a alternator problem. So I even added a couple of grounds from the engine to the chassis with no improvement. So I contacted a good friend of mine whom is a retired Dodge Chrysler master technician and he agreed to check my alternator for fluctuating amperage. He placed a device around the lead wire coming from the alternator to the battery and when he did the needle was constantly fluctuating very rapidly probably 2/3 across the entire dial. So there is no question whatsoever the alternator is the source of the problem. There's one more issue I would like to report. When I carried my car in for the recalls to be performed the technician didn't even bother to raise the hood of the car to check the part number on the alternator.. The reason I know this is because he didn't take my car to the shop area, he pulled my car in front of the high bay doors and installed the passenger side airbag.. I did witness this.. But not 1 time did I see him raise the hood. It took me a 30x magnifying glass and a flashlight to take the photo clearly showing the part number on my current alternator that was supposed to be changed. Photo attached is part number.
Loss of touchscreen functionality only works initially and then freezes completely making it unusable and making the most part of the internal features and climate control completely unavailable and increasing the risk of safety of the driver, Dealer stating to replace whole touch screen unit which is extremely expensive to replace, It should be standard and lot of functionality is used from the touchscreen And also Loss Of Low Beam Headlights seems like issue with electrical system recall issue that was done a long time back
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Brake Light, ABS Light, and Traction Control Light lit up on dash. Took car to dealership and the issue was diagnosed as a faulty ABS module. This is MOPAR part 68160269AB, which is discontinued. I was also told that there were no after-market options, and that programming a used one might not work. So I have no option to get ABS functionality for my car. I am willing to pay for the part and labor to get this repaired, and Dodge is not even giving me the option.
I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealerships. I have receipts for parts I have replaced that were recalled, as diagnostics tests. This has been going on since 2022 one after another and then affects other parts I even asked them to do a software update for the electronic monostable gear they said no.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON APRIL OF 2018, MY CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . I NOTICED MY CAR BARELY TAKING OFF AS I INCLINE A HILL OR MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. AFTER OBSERVING HOW MY CAR WAS DRIVING SUDDENLY SLOW, I THEN TOOK IT TO LANDMARK DODGE IN MORROW,GA.FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CODE GIVEN WAS P06DD(DEALERS CODE). I HAD TO GATHER UP 2500.00 TO GET (VALVE BODY WORK) DONE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED OFF UNTIL OCTOBER 2019 WHERE I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTO ZONE FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC, BUT TO MY SURPRISE IT GAVE THE SAME CODE. I WORK BACK AND FORTH OUT OF TOWN SO THEREFORE I DIDN'T MAKE IT BACK IN TIME TO GET IT REINSPECTED AGAIN FOR THAT CODE. RECENTLY ON APRIL 1ST.MY CAR STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS. I DO NOTICED FURTHER AHEAD A WEEK LATER THAT WHEN EVER I RUN OVER A POT HOLE OR BUMP IN THE ROAD IT DOES IT MORE OFTEN. AS OF NOW, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND MY CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STILL IS FAILING. I'VE OWNED MY CAR FOR 7 1/2 YEARS NOW AND DO PLAN ON KEEPING IT AROUND FOR AT LEAST 10 MORE YEARS. THE CAR RUNS GREAT AND IS GOOD ON GAS. THANKS *TR
MY ALTERNATOR OR STARTER WENT OUT MY CAR STOPPED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER WHEN I TRY TO START. I HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MY HOME. ALSO THE FRONT HEADLIGHT HARNESS BURNT OUT AND I HAD TO PUT ANOTHER OBE WHICH DOES NOT WORK SOMETIMES
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Says that my car is simply just dead smells like gas when trying to start up and shakes but doesn’t start up
I purchased a 2012 Dodge Charger shortly after tha it just stopped working. It was perfectly fine and then it just wouldn't start. It only turned on to accessory mode. The lights ,radio,ac, ect. turned on but the vehicle did no. The brake pedal was very hard couldn't be pushed down. On the dashboard a red lightning bolt symbol with two parentheses appeared. I got it towed the dealership send the problem was the battery and the key fob. I picked it up it was fine and then a few days later while driving on the highway it suddenly started to lose power and completely stopped. same red lightning bolt symbol appeared.I barely made it to the side of the road. I had my son with me. It was a very scary situation our lives were in danger as well as the other drivers behind me because of the sudden decrease in speed. I had to get it towed for the second time. The dealership said that they changed the fuel pump. It was fine after that then couple weeks later I noticed the check engine light come on for about half a day then turn off. 2 Days later I went to turn it on and it did not start, same red lightning bolt symbol appeared again. I got it towed to the manufacture dealership for a recall and they did diagnostic and are telling me that it is the starter switch. They didn't mention anything about the red lightning bolt and it still doesn't turn on
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CODE: RFH B259E-01 TRUNK/LIFTGATE DOOR HANDLE SENSE-GENERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. TRUNK OPENS WHILE DRIVING, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO DODGE WITH THOUSANDS OF VEHICLE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.
2 OF THE 4 BOLT HEADS SHEARED OFF OF THE REAR CONNECTING POINTS ON THE ENGINE CRADLE. DRIVERS SIDE TIME IS UNKNOWN. PASSENGER SIDE HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS COMING IN TO PARK. SEE PHOTOS. IF THE PASSENGER SIDE BOLT HEAD HAD SHEARED OFF ON THE ROAD, I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR. COULD THIS HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHILE DOING THE COMMON SPEED LIMIT OF 75MPH? THEN THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED AS THE SHEARED BOLT HEADS WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO RUST, BUT I CANNOT SEE A 1/2 BOLT RUSTING THROUGH IN 7 YEARS, EVEN IF 5 YEARS WERE SPENT IN NORTHERN OHIO. REPAIRS COST OVER $3800.00
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
It is not staying in the proper level
I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW DECEMBER 11, 2011 AND IT IS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER SXT PLUS. I HAD NO ISSUE WITH MY WHEELS, THEN IN JULY 2018 ISH. I WAS HAVING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS TIRE PROBLEMS. LES SCHWAB LOOKED AT MY TIRES AND IT WAS A BENT RIM. I PAID ALMOT $400 FOR A NEW RIM. THEN 3 MONTHS LATER I HAD ANOTHER BENT RIM, THIS TIME THE REPLAEMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MOPAR PART FOR OVER $600.. I WENT TO AN ONLINE STORE AND PURCHASED 4 NEW RIMS FOR AROUND $800, ALMOST THE EXACT SAME RIMS. I AM PERPLEXED THAT I CAN DRIVE THIS CAR FOR OVER 6 YEARS AND THEN HAVE 2 BENT RIMS WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THESE.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Almost caused a accident because coming to a fast braking my wheels were uncontrollable and swerving .
ENGINE MAKES A WEIRD NOISE WHEN YOU TURN IT ON AND HAVE IT RUNNING SORTA SOUNDS LIKE A TRUCK. BRAKES DON'T WORK SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA STEP ON THE BREAK PETAL ALL THE WAY IN IF NOT YOU COULD POSSIBLY CRASH OR HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED NEAR BY. THE CONTROL ARMS GET STOCK A BIT WHEN DOING A TURN ON 25MPH-30MPH
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M GETTING NOTIFICATIONS OF RECALLS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WITH FORCE, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, ARM, CHEST, AND WAS UNCONSCIOUS. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHICH FAILURE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE COLLISION. THE DEALER (GANAS AUTO SOUTHGATE, 4730 FIRESTONE BLVD, SOUTHGATE, CA 90280, 323-364-5004) FAILED TO INFORM THE CONTACT, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V043000 (STRUCTURE), 16V240000 (POWER TRAIN), 15V467000 (AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS), AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THEN TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THIS CAR, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS PENDING THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE A REMEDY YET, I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SEAT MAKING CRACKS AND SQUEAKY NOISES AS WELL AS LOSING MY SETTINGS SO I OFTEN HAVE TO ADJUST THE SEAT , I TOOK THE CAR IN ABOUT 4-5 TIMES FOR THIS REPAIR AND IT WAS NEVER DONE CORRECTLY.
THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. THE FIRST DEALER WAS ATLANTIC CHRYSLER ON 12/31/14, THEY SAID IT WAS THE BAG IN THE SEAT. THEY RESET THE LIGHT AND IS WAS FINE UNTIL APPROX. MARCH, THEN CAME ON A COUPLE TIMES. IN APPROXIMATELY IN APRIL I TOOK IT TO SPORT HYNDANI DODGE, THEY SAID IT WAS A DIRTY CONNECTION AND CHARGED ME 90.00. THAT LASTED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AND IT CAME BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY, NOW CONTINUALLY. TOOK IT TO SPORT TODAY SEPTEMBER 16, FOR A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT FIX THE LIGHT BEING ON, THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE SEAT APART TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. DID NOT HAVE IT FIXED TODAY, DID NOT HAVE THE TIME. HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM ONLY TO GET 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
tire size is 235/55R19 the tires had to be replaced because they were wearing unevenly and loosing tread quicker than we believe they should. The rims prematurely rusted and the caps rusted so badly they could not be put back on the vehicle after the new tires we purchased were put on the car.
Purchased four Cooper Adventurer Tour P235/55R18 tires from Pep Boys Oct 2018. Drove them 19,000 miles with no road hazard incidents. I rotate tires every 5,000 miles. One tire developed a slow leak presently on the right rear side and now losing a couple psi per week. Placed the tire in a water filled wheelbarrow. Found hundreds of tiny bubbles developing around the entire sidewall where the design impressions are located. Problem is not at the bead nor at the tread. Suspect this could lead to a blowout due to a flawed manufacturing problem. Question is are the others from the same batch about to have the same problem. Have road hazard warranty but this is a tire flaw.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SPEED SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .