2012 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Dodge Challenger ranks 2nd-worst of 16 model years with a complaint index of 93 and 253 complaints, mostly electrical system failures (55%). It carries 6 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive airbag and alternator campaigns, earning an Avoid verdict.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 93/100
- #2 of 16 Challenger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 253
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2012 Dodge Challenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System139 (55%)
- Airbags47 (19%)
- Engine31 (12%)
- Other21 (8%)
- Steering19 (8%)
- Brakes17 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (7%)
- Structure & Body9 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
- Seat Belts8 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report alternators failing suddenly, sometimes with smoke or a near-fire from the electrical system.
- Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed crashes, including head-on and deer-strike collisions.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration paired with brake and power steering failure at low parking-lot speeds.
- Owners describe seat belts that failed to engage during a crash, leading to facial injuries against the steering wheel.
- Owners report the vehicle stalling or shutting off completely after smoke appeared from the engine compartment.
- Owners describe suspension or casting damage after hitting a median, with the vehicle left unrepaired.
2012 Dodge Challenger recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- Compared with other Challenger years, the 2012 ranks poorly: it has the 2nd-highest complaint index (93) out of 16 model years and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
- NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area, making up 55% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 19% and Engine at 12%.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Challenger, including 3 do-not-drive recalls covering airbag wiring harnesses and alternator failures.
- At what mileage do 2012 Challenger problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 53,000 overall, with Electrical System failures reported around a median of 55,000 miles.
- Which Dodge Challenger years are better than 2012?
- Years like 2020, 2021, and 2022 carry Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes of 13, 20, and 7 respectively, far below the 2012's index of 93.