10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,051 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Chrysler 200 lights problems

lights problem

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2012 Chrysler 200 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

May 122020

200

  • miles

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

The dashboard lights and the head and back lights will flicker on and off. The car has shut off while driviing in traffic. Sometimes it doesnt start at all, I have to baqng the door and then the loghtas will come on. I put a brand new battery and altintor in the car and my nechnanic doesnt have a clue what is wrong woth it. Believe it to be the computer system.

- Atlantic City, NJ, USA

problem #31

Jan 122020

200

  • 154,899 miles
On 1/12/2020 while driving home from work I turned on my right turn signal to merge and it rapidly clicked and flashed on the dash after the initial 3 normal flashes and I noticed the car in the lane next to me wasn't acknowledging my turn signal. Once home an hour later, I realized my passenger rear tail light was steadily light (not flashing) even though my car was off and my lights were not engaged and position off. I could not get my turn signal/tail light to turn off. The brake lights work fine when the brake is applied but the tail lights will not turn off. The rear signal won't work either since the light won't turn off to flash. I had to remove the light from the rear fender and unplug the light so my car won't die and plug it back in when I go to drive so I atleast have the tail and brake light on while driving. I can find no info on how to fix this and Chrysler wasn't any help. The problem is still unresolved, but it did go off for just one moment, flickered and came back on when I plugged it back in the last time I drove.

- Millville, NJ, USA

problem #30

Feb 012015

200

  • miles
I own a 2012 Chrysler 200, I love my car; however, the head lights are pointing towards the ground making it almost impossible to see anything in front of me while driving. I've changed replaced the headlight bulbs as well as cleaned the headlamp. Unknown 2. during the winter months my car makes the grinding noise when starting up.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Aug 122017

200

  • 666 miles

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

I've replaced my headlights twice now.. both left and right.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #28

Jul 312019

200

  • 75,889 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost power, but did not stall. Additionally, the tail lights and driver's side headlight were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to deacon's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (located at 835 som center rd, mayfield, oh 44143, (440)442-0424) where it was diagnosed that the totally integrated power module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 75,899.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

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problem #27

Mar 152018

200

  • 174,600 miles
Takata recall, ABS and traction light are on they make a funny noise when I first start the car and start driving. But after I go so far or to 25mph, my lights come on and I brake just fine. I also have a issue with my turn signals, if my headlights are off my front left turning sognal works but if my headlights are on my front left turning signal does not work.

- Stanley, VA, USA

problem #26

Apr 252017

200 6-cyl

  • 115,486 miles

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

Takata recall unknown my car stalled out on the side of the road and I left it there to be picked up by my mechanic the next morning. I found out the next day that my car had been crashed and I went to the tow yard where the vehicle had been taken to retrieve my personal items from the vehicle and noticed that my airbags did not deploy. My car has been considered a total loss by geico car insurance. Geico claim number [xxx]. I still have my title, it is a rebuilt one. Geico has been taking their sweet time to reimburse me for my vehicle. The actual accident occurred on April 25th, 2017. The police report is inaccurate. Today is August 30th, 2017 and I'm still waiting on a check. The tow yard has apparently become the lienholder so I've been told and geico has to pay them off before they can pay me? I don't know it's crazy. There would be no lien if geico had handled this in a timely manner. I have had to come out of pocket to purchase a cheap car in the meantime while I wait. I have just recently received emails from carfax saying that my car may be at risk of being recalled so I put in my VIN number ([xxx]) and it says that my Chrysler 200 2012 is a S61. However, I was aware the passenger seatbelts were locked but I was still able to wrap the driver's belt around me. Furthermore, I've had numerous headlight issues in both headlights and the ac eventually stopped working. There was also a check engine light on that could not be turned off. I spoke with Chrysler and they told me nothing can be done as far as reimbursement at this point because I have no possession of the vehicle. However, the title is still in my name and the possession issue is geico's fault. I am looking for some type of justice in this situation it could have been me in the crash. I am [xxx] and it says under federal law that my vehicle can be replaced. #16V-668 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 012017

200

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving at night, the headlights illuminated very dimly and the driver was unable to see the road ahead. The failure occurred while using both the high beam and low beam headlights. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed and the vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #24

Dec 062016

200 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
The headlight illumination of the 2012 C/200 is driving blind at night and dangerous. There is an extremely limited field of vision and feels like driving with curtain over the lights. The light aims real low and the bulb is too small. Using high beam is not much better. Several times I came very close to hitting another car and person. I feel like I am driving blind and have confined myself to not driving at night. There has to be a remedy for this problem.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #23

Dec 232015

200

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 mph, the passengers side headlight became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the led light bulb was not replaceable by itself. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. The VIN was not available.

- Aston, PA, USA

problem #22

Apr 082015

200

  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving 45 mph, the front passenger side headlight and the driver side tail light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the tipm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #21

Mar 172014

200

  • 55,000 miles
Driving and interior lights dim down and get real bright spontaneously. Also my seat belt light and chime don't work all the time"? trans already slips when leaving town at a medium acceleration" only 75000 miles on the car.

- Yale, MI, USA

problem #20

Jul 022013

200 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
I have a 2012 Chrysler 200 touring V6 bought it brand new. While driving on the highway taking the off ramp I engage my brakes before I get to the traffic light also engaging my turn signal. As soon as the turn signal is engaged all my lights flicker off and on this included the dash lights, stereo and the center console everything except my headlight flicker. On a few occasions the lights have totally went off and would only come back on when the turn signal was disengaged. I had taken the vehicle to a mechanic who tested my battery and alternator also checking all the fuses. He was at a lose to explain why the [xxx] was doing this. I also contact the dealer who sold me the vehicle and gave me the run around stating that they had not heard of any other vehicles doing this and dismissed my worries with saying its is your battery and or alternator. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #19

Jul 112012

200 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the low beam headlights were activated and failed to sufficiently illuminate the road at a distance of thirty feet and over. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times and they were unable to locate the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 2,000. Updated 6/10/14

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #18

Dec 012013

200

  • 38,200 miles
My complaint about this vehicle is the headlights. They are aimed to low, do not project out far enough and the low beam appears to have a dark 'shade' or 'cutoff' at the very top of the light beam. I've never experienced this on any other vehicle and I attribute it to the one bulb system with a 'shutter' this model uses for low and high beams. The high beam is doing what the low beam should be doing. Low beams are completely useless in heavy fog, this is contrary to every other vehicle I've owned. When driving at night, I must resort to high beams when I shouldn't need to. This is especially a factor when descending hills and driving through turns and corners. The headlights on the last three vehicles I've owned were far superior in every way compared to the headlights in the 2012 Chrysler 200 touring model sedan. I took the car to a aaa shop in glen burnie, md, the service manager said an adjustment would probably not make any difference and the cost was nearly $55. I have not taken the car to a Chrysler dealer because I was quoted $115 for an 'adjustment'. I like this car otherwise and I don't want to trade it in just because the headlights are lousy; they should be a lot better than they are. There are hundreds of posts on the internet of owners having the same issues with the headlights on this model as me. I purchased this vehicle used in March of 2012 and it now has 38,500 miles. Thank you.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #17

Jul 302013

200 6-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Extremely poor illumination from headlights, especially low-beam! the projector lights have a 'shutter' that covers a portion of the beam to create low-beam. This causes a distinct, visible horizontal black-out line across the illumination and leaves little to no illumination on the roadway especially on rural roads beyond city lighting! when car goes down-grade, this blackout line dips to cover the roadway completely in front of the car causing total darkness momentarily. This and no corner lighting is very dangerous and will eventually at some point cost a life! there also is no side or corner illumination in low-beam nor in high-beam. One mechanic told me the bulb is set too far back in the projection tube blocking the side illumination and it is not adjustable. Dealer has checked this condition and problem is not fixed. It appears to be a design problem (a serious one) and the internet is full of complaints from Chrysler 200 owners about this. Chrysler needs to recall these cars and refit the headlight units with a safe, operational design!

- Shannon, GA, USA

problem #16

Jun 242013

200

  • 1,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the headlights only illuminated the road partially, as if there was a shade over the light. The contact activated the high beams in order for the full light to illuminate the roadway. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but the contact was informed that the lights were operating as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 1,800 and the current mileage was 4,500.

- Averill Park, NY, USA

problem #15

Jul 182013

200 6-cyl

  • 6,700 miles
Since new, this vehicle has poor low beam headlights, that seem to be directed downward, making night driving over 50 mph hazardous. At times, I must rely on the headlights of other cars to see the road ahead. After owning this car one year, I can't accept this any longer. The dealer at first said they could not be adjusted, but is now willing to check them at a future appointment. I found adjustments above each headlight, engraved "up and down." A special tool is needed to perform this adjustment. I feel that Chrysler needs to be made aware of this problem in their vehicles. I have reported it to their customer service as case # [xxx]. I have owned over twenty cars and this is the only one with poor low beams. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #14

Jun 102013

200

  • 37,400 miles
Cant see at night with the low beams. Needs to be replaced with a two bulb system. Does some one have to die before this issue is addressed?

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #13

Apr 092013

200 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
It has been increasingly difficult to see at night when driving my Chrysler 200 2012 in low lit areas due to the headlight beams. Less light" aimed low" I have to drive far slower than posted around bends at night. I don't recall this issue when I bought the car brand new. I have had it one year and have just over 10,000 miles. I don't usually have to drive at night other than my well lit neighborhood, so this could have easily gone unnoticed. Either way, this terrifies me. The other issue I have is a jerk when shifting to reverse or drive. It is a loud clunk and I feel the vibration. I will not drive at night in low light areas until resolved. I also feel the car pulls to the right when driving. I will contact the dealer soon, until then I just don't feel safe driving while on dark roads.

- Lower Burrell , PA, USA

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