YearToAvoid

2012 Dodge Challenger Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 17 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 7% of its 253 total complaints for the year. No related recalls are tied to this component. Median mileage at failure was 55,605 miles, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
17
7% of 253
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
55,605 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners of manual-transmission cars report the vehicle failing to shift from first into second gear at low speed, sometimes forcing them into slow traffic without expected acceleration.
  • Several drivers describe general difficulty shifting into or out of gear at various speeds, including trouble downshifting or getting into gear on a hill.
  • Some owners report the transmission engaging or malfunctioning even when the shifter was placed in neutral, in one case causing the vehicle to roll away unattended.
  • One owner reported the shifter handle bracket breaking away from the transmission on a 6-speed manual while attempting to change gears.
  • A few complaints describe broader electrical-style failures accompanying transmission warnings, such as dash lights flickering, accessories shutting off, or the vehicle losing power while driving.

When 2012 Dodge Challenger transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 12, 2012, latest Feb 23, 2026.

2012 Dodge Challenger transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2012Nov 2014Jan 2015Mar 2015Jul 2016Jun 2018Dec 2019Sep 2024
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2012 to Feb 2026; peak Feb 2026 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Dodge Challenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Challenger model year

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

  1. 201036 (12%)
  2. 20118 (4%)
  3. 201217 (7%)
  4. 201316 (9%)
  5. 201412 (8%)
  6. 201529 (23%)
  7. 201616 (21%)
  8. 20175 (10%)
  9. 20188 (11%)
  10. 20197 (12%)
  11. 20203 (15%)
  12. 20213 (16%)
  13. 20221 (11%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA lists 17 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Challenger, which is 7% of all 253 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
According to the data provided, there are no related recalls listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2012 Challenger.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Challenger?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 55,605 miles.
Did the 2012 Challenger's transmission problems cause any crashes or injuries?
No. NHTSA data for this component and year shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
Is the transmission complaint rate worse in 2012 than other Challenger years?
The 2012 Challenger's 7% share is lower than 2010 (12%), 2015 (23%), and 2016 (21%), but higher than 2011 (4%), based on NHTSA complaint data across model years.

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.