YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Challenger Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 19 steering complaints for the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 8% of its 253 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 27,850 miles. There is no related recall on file for this issue, and one crash was linked to the complaints.

Steering complaints
19
8% of 253
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
27,850 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of power steering assist at low speed, sometimes paired with reports of stuck throttle or brake failure in the same incident.
  • Some drivers report a winding or fluid-like noise from the steering system at low speed, even when power steering fluid is full with no visible leak.
  • Several complaints describe intermittent steering failure at moderate speed, including one report of the vehicle veering toward oncoming traffic before dealers replaced front hub bearings and the rack and pinion.
  • Owners report tie rod fracture leading to a front wheel detaching from the vehicle at very low mileage.
  • A cluster of complaints mention stiff or uneven steering effort, sometimes described as tight turning to one side with a rubbing sound from the front end or steering column.
  • One complaint cites heavy rust on steering and control arm joints and welds at very low mileage.

When 2012 Dodge Challenger steering complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 26, 2012, latest Apr 12, 2024.

2012 Dodge Challenger steering complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2012Oct 2012Jun 2014Nov 2014Aug 2018Sep 2019
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to Apr 2024; peak Mar 2015 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Dodge Challenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Challenger model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201033 (11%)
  2. 201114 (7%)
  3. 201219 (8%)
  4. 201315 (8%)
  5. 201420 (13%)
  6. 20156 (5%)
  7. 20169 (12%)
  8. 20175 (10%)
  9. 20186 (8%)
  10. 20198 (14%)
  11. 20201 (5%)
  12. 20212 (11%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20231 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are steering complaints on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA lists 19 steering-related complaints for the 2012 Challenger, which is 8% of the 253 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recalls tied to this steering complaint pattern for the 2012 Challenger.
At what mileage do steering problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 27,850 miles.
Did the steering issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data links one crash to these complaints and reports no fires and no injuries.
How does the 2012 Challenger compare to other years for steering complaints?
The 2012 model's 8% share is similar to 2011 (7%) and 2013 (8%), but lower than 2014, which had a 13% share of steering complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.