The Used Car Index

2012 Dodge Charger problems

NHTSA lists 648 complaints for the 2012 Dodge Charger, 20 of them mention a crash and 49 mention a fire. 14 complaints mention an injury, with 16 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-07.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as DODGE CHARGER.

At a glance

Complaints
648
With crash
20
With fire
49
With injury (complaints)
14
Injuries
16
Deaths
0
Recalls
14
Do not drive recalls
3
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
4,648,270
Investigations
3
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
219

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35955.4%
AIR BAGS11117.1%
ENGINE9414.5%
POWER TRAIN6510.0%
STEERING538.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING528.0%
SERVICE BRAKES436.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)355.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER335.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL203.1%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR33
STRUCTUREBODY9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY5
AIR BAGSFRONTAL2
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMHORN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE1
EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL1
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic27645.8%0.85
loss of control8714.4%0.76
restraint or airbag7612.6%0.86
mechanical failure549.0%0.82
fire or overheating467.6%0.77
visibility or lighting305.0%0.83
unclear162.7%0.66
fluid or fuel leak81.3%0.85
noise or comfort81.3%0.78
structural or corrosion20.3%0.65
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate38463.7%0.76
low16327.0%0.67
high488.0%0.72
critical40.7%0.48
none40.7%0.64

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 603 tagged complaints of 648 complaints (93.1%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

14 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 14.

19V018000

Date: 2019-01-15. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

18V021000

Date: 2018-01-09. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 Island (excerpt)

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

17V435000

Date: 2017-07-10. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V352000

Date: 2016-05-24. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: 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 (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

16V240000

Date: 2016-04-25. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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 d (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 upd (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V043000

Date: 2016-01-28. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

15V467000

Date: 2015-07-27. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V634000

Date: 2014-10-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V101000

Date: 2014-03-04. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: Loss of headlights reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V118000

Date: 2013-04-03. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 1 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

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 rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA16002

Opened: 2016-02-03. Closed: 2016-06-24.

Vehicle rollaway, engine on

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 g

Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Linked campaign numbers: 16V240000, 16V424000.

PE14022

Opened: 2014-07-22. Closed: 2014-11-06.

Alternator failure

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 (V

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 14V634000.

Manufacturer communications

219 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM72
EQUIPMENT52
POWER TRAIN44
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING25
SUSPENSION13
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11
STEERING11
STRUCTURE10

11030138

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1D

11025727

Date: 2025-11-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

11025724

Date: 2025-11-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

11014849

Date: 2025-02-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.

AIR BAG - SIDE CURTAIN

10244356

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10248517

Date: 2023-09-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.

10244348

Date: 2023-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use

10248509

Date: 2023-09-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use

10242717

Date: 2023-07-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used

10241118

Date: 2023-06-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Fuel Pump Connector Replacement The technician may experience a crank/no start after the fuel pump module was replaced. This bulletin involves replacing the fuel pump connector harness (pigtail) when replacing the fuel pump module.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CHARGER648

Same model, other years

All model years | All Dodge models

Other Dodge models, 2012

Sources

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