2012 Dodge Charger Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 65 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Charger, 10% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 68,450. A related recall (16V240000) addresses software that can allow the vehicle to roll away when not properly in park.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 65
- 10% of 648
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 68,450 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle shifter fails to properly engage park, allowing the car to roll away while the engine is running or after the driver exits.
- Owners describe hard or jarring shifts through park, reverse, neutral, and drive, sometimes with an audible pop from the transmission area.
- Diagnostic scans return transmission fault codes (such as P0741) tied to contaminated fluid, followed by dealer relearning or servicing of the transmission.
- Drivers report a loss of power, rough idle, or shudder at idle along with reduced fuel economy after the transmission issue began.
- Some owners report the transmission shifter module failed entirely, leaving the vehicle stuck in park and unable to shift.
When 2012 Dodge Charger transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 6, 2012, latest Oct 25, 2025.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Dodge Charger
- NHTSA 16V240000Apr 25, 2016Transmission & Powertrain811,290 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Charger model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Dodge Charger?
- NHTSA lists 65 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Dodge Charger, which is 10% of the 648 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2012 Dodge Charger?
- Yes. Recall 16V240000, reported April 25, 2016, covers a software update to mitigate the risk of the vehicle rolling away when not properly in park.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Charger?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 68,450 miles for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Charger.
- Are the transmission problems dangerous?
- NHTSA records show 5 crashes and 2 injuries tied to Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Charger, largely linked to the rollaway/park issue covered by the recall.