2012 Chrysler 200 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
88/100
#2 most-complained of 9 200 years
The 2012 Chrysler 200 has a Complaint Index of 88, ranking 2nd worst out of 9 model years, with 638 complaints, 4 recalls, and Engine as the top problem area (28% of complaints). NHTSA lists this year as Avoid relative to other 200 model years.
- Complaints
- 638
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 29 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 33 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 29 hwy
Top 2012 Chrysler 200 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine177 (28%)
- Electrical System169 (26%)
- Airbags136 (21%)
- Other105 (16%)
- Seat Belts71 (11%)
- Brakes64 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers60 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain54 (8%)
- Steering45 (7%)
- Structure & Body36 (6%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes at low mileage, sometimes under 1,000 miles, resulting in serious injuries.
- Engine stalled suddenly at highway speed near 72 mph, causing loss of control and the check engine light to illuminate on restart.
- Brakes went to the floor with no stopping power at moderate speeds, leading to a rear-end collision.
- An electrical fire started in the vehicle's interior while parked in a driveway, after the heater had worked on only one side days earlier.
- Steering caused the vehicle to be pulled off the road unexpectedly while exiting a curve, resulting in a severe crash.
- Owners reported a recall repair for the occupant restraint controller was delayed due to unavailable parts, followed by separate brake failure incidents.
2012 Chrysler 200 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V640000Oct 10, 2017Structure & Body363,930 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
- NHTSA 16V668000Sep 15, 2016Airbags1,435,625 vehicles
Air bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
- NHTSA 13V282000Jul 2, 2013Airbags442,320 vehicles
Air bags
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
2012 Chrysler 200 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other 200 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 reliable?
- Compared to other 200 model years, 2012 ranks poorly. It has a Complaint Index of 88, the 2nd worst of 9 model years tracked, with 638 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chrysler 200?
- Engine issues make up 28% of complaints (177 complaints), followed by Electrical System at 26% (169 complaints) and Airbags at 21% (136 complaints). Median mileage at failure for engine problems is 62,250 miles.
- Does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V668000 covers the Occupant Restraint Controller for 2011-2014 200 vehicles, and recall 13V282000 covers a related occupant restraint issue on 2011-2013 200 and Sebring vehicles.
- How does the 2012 Chrysler 200 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model (index 88) ranks worse than 2011 (50), 2013 (75), 2014 (38), 2016 (63), and 2017 (25), but is not as bad as 2015, which has the worst Complaint Index at 100 among 200 model years.