2012 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Dodge Charger has a complaint index of 89, the third-worst of 19 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 648 complaints, 14 recalls (3 do-not-drive), and 49 fire reports, led by electrical system failures at 60% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 648
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 14
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 49
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2012 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System391 (60%)
- Engine113 (17%)
- Airbags111 (17%)
- Brakes72 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain65 (10%)
- Steering53 (8%)
- Other37 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (3%)
- Structure & Body15 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers14 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headlights fail intermittently as low-beam wiring connectors melt, sometimes tied to recall 12V042000 that some owners say did not cover their VIN.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-severe front and rear collisions, resulting in neck, shoulder, and elbow injuries.
- Vehicles reportedly shift out of park or fail to shut off after the ignition button is depressed, allowing the car to roll away unattended.
- Sudden loss of radio power, steering assist, and braking has been reported while driving, accompanied by smoke.
- A parked vehicle caught fire in a driveway with no apparent cause identified before the blaze started.
2012 Dodge Charger recalls
14 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 Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- 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 Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Dodge Charger reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Charger a complaint index of 89, ranking it 3rd worst among 19 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Dodge Charger?
- The Electrical System accounts for 60% of complaints (391 of 648), including headlight wiring that melts and alternator issues, and is linked to 42 fire reports.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Charger have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the 2012 Charger, including 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls covering side-impact sensor calibration and inflator risks.
- What year Dodge Charger should I avoid?
- Among Charger years, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014 are rated Avoid; the 2011 model year has the highest complaint index at 100, just ahead of 2012 at 89.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Charger?
- NHTSA lists 648 complaints for the 2012 Dodge Charger, along with 20 crash reports, 49 fire reports, and 16 injuries.