2012 Dodge Challenger

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2012 Dodge Challenger
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 253 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	1
2008	10
2009	132
2010	298
2011	191
2012	253
2013	179
2014	146
2015	126
2016	78
2017	49
2018	74
2019	58
2020	20
2021	18
2022	9
2023	40

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 52%

52% of complaints: electrical system — 131 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

FIRE: ON DECEMBER 27, 2017 MY CAR WAS IDLING OUTSIDE MY SISTERS HOUSE WHEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE TRUNK, WE RAN AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FOUND THE BATTERY AND WIRING HARNESS BURNT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180213

My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like itâs in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then...

NHTSA ODI report, 20240412

THE CHALLENGER SRT8 IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DASH ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, WHICH COMES ON, DURING NORMAL DAYTIME DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER) ARE ONLY ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF THE PARKING OR HEADLAMPS FUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111128

AIR BAGS 19%

19% of complaints: air bags — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS REARENDED, (AT 4200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE), WHILE AT A DEAD STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BY A FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING AT 45 MPH PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER HAULING APPROXIMATELY 6000 - 7000 POUNDS WHICH HIT MY 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER IN THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20120510

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 25 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190821

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231220

SKIP SHIFT. THIS FEATURE IS ALREADY THE CAUSE OF SEVERAL NEAR MISSES OF ME BEING REAR-ENDED BECAUSE FROM A STOP, I AM UNEXPECTEDLY PREVENTED FROM SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO 2ND GEAR TO MAINTAIN EXPECTED ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120112

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 253

R 20130422 — air bags

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

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

Campaign 13V118000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150227 — electrical system

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...

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.

Campaign 14V634000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170327 — air bags

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.

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.

Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180212 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 17V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180228 — air bags

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,...

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.

Campaign 18V021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190204 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V018000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture