MYRModel Year Report

2012 Dodge Challenger

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Dodge Challenger
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
253
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

55% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 2008: 10 complaints 2009: 133 complaints 2010: 299 complaints 2010 2011: 193 complaints 2012: 253 complaints 2012 253 2013: 179 complaints 2014: 148 complaints 2015: 126 complaints 2016: 78 complaints 2016 2017: 49 complaints 2018: 75 complaints 2019: 59 complaints 2019 2020: 20 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 9 complaints 2022 2023: 42 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 2008: 10 complaints 2009: 133 complaints 2009 2010: 299 complaints 2011: 193 complaints 2011 2012: 253 complaints 2012 253 2013: 179 complaints 2013 2014: 148 complaints 2015: 126 complaints 2015 2016: 78 complaints 2017: 49 complaints 2017 2018: 75 complaints 2019: 59 complaints 2019 2020: 20 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 42 complaints 2023
1981: 1 complaint 1981 2008: 10 complaints 2008 2009: 133 complaints 2009 2010: 299 complaints 2010 2011: 193 complaints 2011 2012: 253 complaints 2012 253 2013: 179 complaints 2013 2014: 148 complaints 2014 2015: 126 complaints 2015 2016: 78 complaints 2016 2017: 49 complaints 2017 2018: 75 complaints 2018 2019: 59 complaints 2019 2020: 20 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2022 2023: 42 complaints 2023

2012: 253 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
200810
2009133
2010299
2011193
2012253
2013179
2014148
2015126
201678
201749
201875
201959
202020
202119
20229
202342

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

55% · 140 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2018-02-13

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 it’s 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, 2024-04-12

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, 2011-11-28

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Air bags

19% · 47 reports
CRASHINJURY
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, 2012-05-10

Engine

10% · 25 reports
FIREINJURY
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, 2019-08-21

Steering

8% · 19 reports
CRASH

Power train

7% · 17 reports
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, 2023-12-20

Also filed under Traction control system

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, 2012-01-12

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 253 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2013-04-22Air bags13V118000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-02-27Electrical system14V634000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-03-27Air bags16V352000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2018-02-12Electrical system17V435000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2018-02-28Air bags18V021000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-02-04Air bags19V018000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Dodge Challenger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 140 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 25 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V118000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V634000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V352000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V435000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V021000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V018000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Dodge Challenger is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 55% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.