2012 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 14 Challenger years
The 2012 Dodge Challenger has 253 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 92, the second-worst year of the 14 model years tracked. Electrical system issues (55% of complaints, mostly alternator failures) and airbag non-deployment (19%) drive its Avoid verdict, backed by 6 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive.
- Complaints
- 253
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 11 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
Top 2012 Dodge Challenger problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Alternator failures reported to cause dashboard smoke, stalling, or near-fire conditions, sometimes recurring within months of a first repair.
- Airbags failing to deploy in frontal or head-on crashes at speeds around 65 mph, leaving occupants to strike the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported at low parking-lot speeds, accompanied by loss of brakes and power steering.
- Seat belts reported failing to engage during a crash, resulting in facial injury.
- Suspension or casting damage reported after impact with a median, with owners saying the part needed replacement.
- Owners reported delays receiving reimbursement for alternator recall repairs paid out of pocket.
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 model years, 2012 ranks second-worst out of 14 years tracked, with a complaint index of 92 and 253 NHTSA complaints, largely tied to electrical and airbag problems.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
- Electrical system complaints make up 55% of all reports, mostly centered on alternator failures, with a median failure mileage of 55,000 miles.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three do-not-drive recalls affecting airbags on the 2012 Challenger, plus airbag-related complaints making up 19% of owner reports.
- How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Dodge Challenger, including 3 classified as do-not-drive due to airbag defects.
- How does the 2012 Challenger compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 92 is close to the worst year, 2010 (index 100), while newer years like 2020-2022 score under 15 and carry a Best verdict.