RoadVitals

2012 Dodge Charger Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
53
Latest Jun 30, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 648 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Dodge Charger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 53 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 53, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Jun 30, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11529695
Incident
Oct 13, 2022
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 9, 2023

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!

NHTSA ID
11521197
Incident
May 9, 2023
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 13, 2022

Almost caused a accident because coming to a fast braking my wheels were uncontrollable and swerving .

NHTSA ID
11456517
Incident
Feb 25, 2022
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Dec 23, 2021

service shifter error and powerstwering warning light turned on

NHTSA ID
11444876
Incident
Dec 23, 2021
Steering
Filed Nov 19, 2020

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ID
11375365
Incident
Nov 9, 2020
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2020

WHEN STARTING MY CAR THE RADIO SOMETIMES DON'T COME ON. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR THE RADIO TO COME ON. WHEN DRIVING AND LISTENING TO THE RADIO IT GOES IN AND OUT AS IF THE DJ IS TRYING TO BLOCK OUT PROFANTIY BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AND I MAKE A U-TURN IT FEELS AS IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TRYING TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA ID
11373473
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
159,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 17, 2020

I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND AS I WAS TURNING THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DIED AND THE WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BUT IT WOULD JUST TURN OVER BUT START FULLY.

NHTSA ID
11349894
Incident
Aug 17, 2020
Mileage
171,138 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 9, 2020

WHENEVER I TRY AND TURN MY STEERING WHEEL IT IS VERY HARD HAVE TO USE ALOT OF KUSCLE. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE STOPPED TRYING TO TURN OR GOING AN AVERAGE SPEED. IT IS WORSE WHEN NOT AT A COMPLETE STOP.

NHTSA ID
11344218
Incident
Aug 9, 2020
Mileage
176,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed May 26, 2020

MAY 25 2020, 2012 DODGE CHARGER SE. I WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR, THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED THE FUSE 4 DIFFERENT TIMES AND IT POPPED ON HIM. NO ONE HAS ANY REMEDIES TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOW AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DODGE CHARGERS THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS. PLEASE HAVE A RECALL PERFORMED FOR THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326007
Incident
May 25, 2020
Mileage
137,400 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2020

POWER STEERING FUSES KEEP BLOWING WHEN TURNING, WHICH CAUSING IT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT .

NHTSA ID
11318068
Incident
Mar 14, 2020
Mileage
5 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 2, 2020

IVE HAD TO HAVE BRAKE WORK THREE TIMES. THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT DOESNT W ANT TO STOP.. NOW IM GETTINGG THIS CLICKING GRINDING SOUND WHEN IA RE TURN LEFT OR RIGHT.REALLY. IVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. KNOW BODY WANTEDA RECALL TO LISTEN. I GUESS MY FAMILY WILL REAP THE BENIFITS ONCE I GET KILL FOR DRINING A FAULTY CAR. LET ALL JOIN TO REPORT OUR CONCERNS. THIS IS A A RECALL. .

NHTSA ID
11296715
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 1, 2020

THE POWER STEERING PUMP GRINDS WHEN TURNING AND SOMETIMES LOCKS UP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE FILED ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ID
11292433
Incident
Aug 18, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 21, 2019

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 WITH A BRAND NEW OEM PUMP.

NHTSA ID
11290624
Incident
Aug 24, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2019

POWER STEERING FAILS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER HARD TURNS. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND NEARLY WRECK/STRIKE OTHER CARS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN THESE CARS. IT OCCURS AT CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT'S HARD TO STEER AT HIGH AND LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11289068
Incident
Dec 14, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 31, 2019

TAKATA RECALL STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP WHILE TURNING

NHTSA ID
11252575
Incident
Oct 20, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 3, 2019

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN! THIS IS NOW THE 3RD TIME! I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LIGHT CAME ON, THIS MADE MY STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN! THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE INCONVENIENCE TO KEEP HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS

NHTSA ID
11241530
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
78,260 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GLENDALE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP (LOCATED AT 900 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (818) 839-2457), BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DISABLED THE STEERING WHEEL AND CHANGED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP ON HIS OWN. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11234895
Incident
Jun 28, 2019
Mileage
110,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2019

MY POWER STEERING HAS WENT OUT TWICE. MY STEERING LOCKS UP MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID
11221153
Incident
Jun 12, 2019
Mileage
77,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 21, 2019

I GET A STRONG RESISTANT WHEN TRING TO TURN LEFT I CAN'T MAKE A SHARP LEFT TURN IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID
11190453
Incident
Mar 20, 2019
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. ROBERT LOEHR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (567 E MAIN ST, CARTERSVILLE, GA 30121, (770) 382-5885) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. A LOANER VEHICLE WAS PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK FOR THE STEERING WHEEL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED A STEERING RECALL REMEDY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER STEERING RECALL CAMPAIGN AND ISSUED SEVEN TSBS FOR THE STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
11185775
Incident
Mar 10, 2017
Mileage
40,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 1, 2019

MY 2012 DODGE CHARGER (BOUGHT NEW) WHEN TURNING SHARP TO LEFT, U TURN IT GETS STUCK AND HARD TO TURN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL DODGE CHARGER OWNERS, DIFFERENT YEAR BUT SAME MODEL AND MAKE CAR OWNERS WHO HAS OR HAD SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT COSTS THOUSANDS TO FIX AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH DODGE AND RECALL SENT OUT ON CARS IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM NOT TURNING AND STEERING GETTING STUCK COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT!

NHTSA ID
11173457
Incident
Jan 15, 2019
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT EXTRA STRENGTH WAS NEEDED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID
11161436
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
82,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 26, 2018

MY POWER STEERING PUMP HAS WENT OUT ON ME TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME WAS LAST YEAR AS I WAS DOING A LEGAL U-TURN ON A STREET. I WASN'T ABLE TO GET THE MY CAR STRAIGHT ALMOST WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I GOT THE PUMP REPLACED AND THEN 4 MONTHS LATER AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON THE STREET, THE PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AGAIN. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALLS ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

NHTSA ID
11113918
Incident
Jul 22, 2018
Mileage
103,800 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID
11066485
Incident
Jan 24, 2018
Mileage
49,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READINGS AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED INTO A SERVICED STATION WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO COME OUT OF DRIVE. THE CONTACT USED THE PARK BRAKE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALEY CHRYSLER DODGE DEALER, LOCATED ON 5400 S LABURNUM AVE, RICHMOND VA 23231, PHONE NUMBER: (804) 663-5337, WHERE IT WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE REMEDY PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V240000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11023467
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
78,000 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .