8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,420
Average Mileage:
67,150 miles
Total Complaints:
44 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (30 reports)
  2. replace heater core and radiator (9 reports)
  3. replace the heater core (5 reports)
2012 Chrysler 200 AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

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2012 Chrysler 200 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Feb 152020

200 S 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,880 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well, it's my turn unfortunately. We bought the 200 new; it has been okay for the most part, but mostly because it has been under warranty. I was having new tires installed at a Firestone dealer and when I picked it up, they mentioned that the coolant bottle had a brown sludge in it. I was thinking head gasket. I started to research and found that this mess has been going on for years! That was in 2016 with about 37,000 miles on it! I was out of the basic warranty, but luckily we had an extended warranty.

I took it to the dealer, who always services it, and told them about it; they replaced the heater core, but I had to pay to have the system flushed and the deductible; so I got out with only owing a few hundred.. Fast forward to now: 68,880 miles, and the cold air on the passenger side. I took it back to the dealer, because I knew they would check the codes if something was wrong with the AC; well, guess what I need - new heater core and the air box housing! In addition to the cold air blowing, there's an issue with the housing so it all needs to come out.. at least $2200!

I called Chrysler and filed a claim to see if they will help since this is the second one. Needless to say, I am not happy about this at all. It's a shame that all of these owners are getting hosed out of their money for their mistakes. I am done with this one! We've owned Jeeps for years, but the earlier years so they aren't as bad at this POS...

- Melissa S., Bel Air, MD, US

problem #43

Oct 192018

200 Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,360 miles

My 2012 Chrysler 200 that I bought new has 65000 miles on it and the heat will not work on the passenger side, had it inspected, flushed the heater core and still no heat. Mechanic says its the heater core and will have to be replaced, a $1200 fix...my car has very low miles, has been serviced faithfully, with oil changes and tire rotations. Everything I am researching online says this is a common occurrence on this model of car, this should be a recall. I would never expect to have to replace a heater core on a car I bought new off the floor at only 65,000 miles...This is a costly repair and we are not happy with Chrysler....

Update from Apr 8, 2019: had to replace heater core and radiator, at a cost to us of $1000.....not a happy camper.....beware of Chrysler 2000

- Darlene B., Campbellsville, KY, US

problem #42

Feb 052017

200 Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I live in Berwyn, IL, a small sub-division of Chicago. The weather in Chicago, specifically the cold is brutal. The heater in the car feels as though you're breathing onto your hands.

- dundiddit2, Berwyn, US

problem #41

Mar 032019

200 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It's a real pain in the winter when the passenger on passenger freezes their ass off.

- Cathy S., Fredericktown, OH, US

problem #40

Jan 012018

200 S 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,300 miles

I've heard my car isn't the only one with this issue, there are thousands of these cars with a heating issue and Chrysler is charging an arm and a leg to try to repair this issue when they already know the problem.

- Shikila P., Horn Lake, MS, US

problem #39

Nov 112018

200 S 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,010 miles

Passenger side heat practically non existent. Driver's side seems normal. Windows don't defrost well even with setting on defrost. Sounds like the dreaded plugged heater core. I watched a youtube video, and the fix is ridiculous. The entire dash has to be removed, including the steering column. This takes almost an entire day. I bet that there is no way it will re-assembled quite to the same standard as the factory. Took it to a shop and asked about flushing the system first. Mechanic told me to save my money, it's probably an actuator, or door not working. I don't believe it. Most mechanics, including dealership, either don't understand the system, and how it is clogging up, or refuse to acknowledge that it is a built in failure, due to materials used, or breakdown internally. I've read numerous accounts of work being done to no avail, including flushing, replacement of heater cores, radiators, etc. I can't believe, after all these complaints, that there isn't a "reasonable" fix that doesn't include removing the entire dash to get at the heater core. One solution I found online was to remove heater hoses, flush the core with hot water, then pour CLR into the hose. Keeping both hoses elevated to keep it from flowing out. Leave it sit for several hours, then flush with water. At least this is an attempt at a fix before the very expensive replacement.

- Bruce H., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #38

Oct 012018

200 S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Never buy a Chrysler. Bought this car because lifetime warranty, and every time I have a problem it's not covered. No heat on passengers side. Chrysler dealer has had it for four days, took dash apart telling me they're trying to find the problem. And if because of rats or something else not covered, I have to pay I am hearing everyone is having this problem..I am going to get it back and trade in. Informing Chrysler dodge jeep not associated with Chrysler, they should recall too, off extended warranty.

- Kathryn V., Silver Springs, NV, US

problem #37

Oct 152017

200 LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

We have had the car for 6yrs. Yes, we noticed that the defrost wasn't defrosting the windows very well and that the passengers side of the car was extremely cold at times right from the start but because we live in Colorado we always dress warm in the winter. We Lost our jobs and weren't able to keep up with everything and because we are older it is harder to find good paying jobs. We now want to sell the car but because of the problem can't find a buyer. Who would buy a car in Colorado that doesn't have a heater? So we feel like Chrysler has ripped us off and sold us a lemon. We won't buy another car from Chrysler because of this issue and because they won't make it right.

- Karen V., Colorado Springs, US

problem #36

Nov 222017

200 Touring 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,458 miles

It is dangerous to drive with the passenger window fogged up. It is an accident waiting to happen, especially at night with oncoming vehicle headlamp glare. I am sure that they are aware of the problem and if they could recall it early enough for a radiator flush it would have saved us a pain to replace the heating system at about $1200 to $1600 out of pocket damages.

Why have a recall when you can make a lot of money on parts and labor. I have another 2 years to go on payments and it is not covered by your 100,000 mile engine and trans warranty even though it is sand in the engine block that has caused the heater core blockage and not to work.

- Chris G., Spotsylvania, VA, US

problem #35

Dec 012017

200 LTD 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

Passenger side blowing cold air. Same exact problem as complaint #31. It's hot on driver side far left and progressively gets colder to very cold on passenger side far right.

Dealer originally re-calibrated the actuators for $88. This did not fix the problem. Now they are telling me it's the heating core. My father said heating cores don't go at 50K miles. I'm not spending over a grand on something that might not fix the problem.

I wonder if it could possibly be the "air conditioning/ heater blower motor". This is listed as covered under my 7/70 Added Care Plus Warranty. I'm going to read through to see if anyone tried this.

God bless and God speed on this problem we're all having. :/

- Erin R., Freeport, NY, US

problem #34

Apr 022018

200 Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 4/2/2018 I had my car in the dealership with the heater issue. I only have 34,600 miles on it. I have owned this Chrysler 200 for 5 yrs. I also had the Mile One Elite coverage I purchased when I bought the vehicle in 2012 that was suppose to cover for 72 months or 72,000 miles. I am a 61 year old widow that bought this car with my husbands left over insurance after he passed. Bought a Chrysler because to my understanding it was a well made car.

For about 6 months I have heat on the drivers side but cold air blows from the vents on the passenger side!!! I wouldn't even have known this if I didn't have my granddaughter in the car and she asked me if I had the AC on.... In my Mile One 72,000 mile "ELITE" covering it states that the heater core is covered. After the dealership told me it was not covered and it would cost me approx. 1300.00 to repair, I called a rep from Mile One. After explain everything to him he told me to look at the "EXCLUSIONS". After reading through about a million exclusions, it pretty much told me that the heater core would be covered if it was leaking but not if it was blocked. WHAT A JOKE!!!! They are telling me that it was blocked by contaminated fluids. Really???

They can't tell me anything else. Then he mentioned that Chrysler put some kind of coolant in their radiators when manufacturing that when the owner takes the car to have the fluids checked, the technicians are just " topping the coolants off" with something that is not compatible to the coolant from the manufacturer, therefore gels up and corrodes the whole heating system. Don't you think it would be the manufacturer (CHRYSLER)who should be responsible have this problem fixed?????

And why do consumers buy these special extended warranties when there are a million different exclusions that makes them actually a big waste of hard earned money? THEY DON'T COVER ANYTHING!!!!!

- Jane V., WILKES BARRE, PA, US

problem #33

Sep 012017

200

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

This issue is a hazard for visibility due to all of the car fogging up. The defrost barely works on the drivers side. The defrost must stay on at all times and does not work on passengers side. If the heat is on, it is very low temp and only works on the drivers side, the passenger side is cold as ice. Very disappointed because this car has very low miles.

- Leslie F., Anchorage, US

problem #32

Jan 262018

200 Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,080 miles

I was getting an antifreeze smell when I would turn my heat on. I soon noticed that I wasn't getting any hot air on the passenger side of my vehicle, therefore it wouldn't clear my windows when I have ice/snow on them. My car stays cold inside. I live in a place we have cold weather 7-8 months out of the year and we get lake effect snow, which can total in amounts of over 200 inches per year. I have read online NUMEROUS complaints of this same issue and I am mortified that Chrysler hasn't made a recall to fix this problem. This could become a SERIOUS issue if I can't defrost my windows to be able to see when driving during these cold winter months. I also don't see why Chrysler expects us to pay out this amount of money for something they should fix if this is a problem with this vehicle.

Update from Feb 24, 2018: I was quoted $1200 to fix this heating issue by the dealership that sold me this vehicle. They said the heater core needed to be replaced. I am only getting warm air on the driver's side of my vehicle, cold air on the passenger side of my vehicle. The colder it gets outside, the worse it is. I live in a State that gets winter 7 months out of the year with temperatures that can get to 40 below. I need to be able to defrost the windows in my car to be able to see. This is definitely a hazard for driving and Chrysler needs to step up and do a recall and get this problem fixed. I see there are a lot of these same complaints with this make/model.

- Jean H., Negaunee, US

problem #31

Jan 152017

200 S V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

forewarned, Last year sometime during January 2017 at about 41,000 miles, I noticed that my 2012 200 S passenger side never seemed to be warm enough. Then, I had the opportunity to ride as a passenger in my own vehicle. No wonder! The heat wasn't working right on the passenger side. The heat on the driver's side seems fine, but it gets progressively cooler each vent to the right. The far right passenger vent blows cold air. The colder it is outside, the worse the situation is. I took it to the dealership immediately because I have an extended warranty. They told me that my coolant (from the factory) had broken down, and the sludge was clogging the heater core. My warranty would not cover the repair because the dealership could not verify that the heater core was malfunctioning. The dealership apparently has a star report on this (meaning it is a well known and documented issue that affects the 2011s through the 2013s at minimum). The dealership's fix is to replace the heater core, coolant and radiator to the tune of $1500+. I of course said no way. I bought my own coolant and flushed the system myself with the assistance of a mechanic family member.

Fast forward to now. I now have 51,000 miles and the heat is still not working. Both hoses coming from the heater core are hot. This leads me to believe that the heater core is NOT blocked. I took it back into the dealership since my warranty runs out March 2018. They sat in the vehicle, turned on the heat, and immediately told me that the heater core was blocked. They NEVER looked under the hood or did ANY other diagnostic. I informed the dealership that I had already flushed the system and the hoses ARE hot. The heat just isn't coming through the vents. Alas, they DON'T care. I picked my car up tonight still with only half heat. I've bought a Chilton repair manual for my vehicle. I plan to do my own research and fix the problem myself given time, money, and a little tool wielding.

I love my car. But, this makes me regret buying the vehicle. This makes me wish that I wasn't in a MOPAR family or I would NEVER buy another MOPAR again. If any of you out there are interested in buying a Dodge Avenger, Chrysler 200, or end of run Chrysler Sebring, just don't. This isn't worth it. Do you research. All three of these models are having similar issues. If you are considering buying a vehicle that has had this issue "fixed," be forewarned. There are folks out there that have had the heater core, radiator, and fluids replaced, and the issue resurfaces several years later. This tells me that the PARTS and/or coolant is faulty from the factory. I've called Chrysler. They refuse to acknowledge an issue.

- Jennifer H., Shippensburg, PA, US

problem #30

Dec 222017

200 Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Heat stopped working on passenger side of car. Warm air quit blowing through passenger side air vents.

- Paula R., Waterloo, IL, US

problem #29

Jan 112017

200 LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,230 miles

Evidently there have been numerous complaints about this issue and Chrysler refuses to take ownership of it and fix the problem. Mechanics are profiting from this issue and not fixing the problem.

- Dianna S., Fort Smith, AR, US

problem #28

Nov 222017

200 cyl 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,369 miles

The manufacturer was aware that the fluid they used would cause this problem. There is a Star Case Document that was sent to the Car Dealer Ships, however they did not inform the consumers. Then they want to charge everyone for the repairs. I was given a estimate of $1,586.78 for a heater core replacement. So since they don't value their customers why should we buy their cars. Seems that the cost assessment the company did worked out in their favor not the consumers.

Update from Feb 16, 2018: Had heater core replaced at Lacey Used Auto Parts. Cost was $860.34 a savings of $726.34 quoted by the dealership.

- Frances S., TOMS RIVER, NJ, US

problem #27

Dec 142015

200

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

I have a Chrysler 200, 2012. I am only getting heat on the driver side, cold on the pass side. I have had it to the dealer who flushed the line 3 times and sent me off stating the problem was fixed. No one can tell me for sure the problem. I live in Newfoundland where the winters are pretty bad, so I spent all this money on a car that I can only use in the summer. Pretty pissed. I keep hearing different things that the problem can be, is there someone out there that has had this problem and had it fixed before I spend all this money.

- newfiegf, Grnd-falls-wi, NL, Canada

problem #26

Oct 162017

200 Limited V6 Flex

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Hard to believe there is not a recall for this known problem. If I lived in the south I might not care but Wisconsin winters are somewhat brutal and it would be nice to have heat in my car. There is only lukewarm air out of the drivers side and gets colder each vent across to passenger side. Thankful the heated seats work yet sad I don't have the $1700 that everyone is saying that it takes to fix :(

- dkdonais, Cornell, US

problem #25

Feb 082017

200 Limited 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,626 miles

This is a very significant problem that Chrysler should have a recall fix on, as there are way too many of this year and model with this issue and the quote to just diagnose is expensive then the repairs are upward of $550 to start depending on which actual issue is the problem*RANT RANTRANT*

- Angela D., Indianapolis, US

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