10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,959 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 Dodge Challenger electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Dodge Challenger Owner Comments (Page 7 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Aug 142014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I was driving when all the alerts on my car started going off and it quit working. It wouldn't recognize my key then I had to try and get it started for 15 minutes. When I did, it wouldn't switch out of 1st gear. I drove it to the dealership where I paid 175$ for a new battery which wasn't even the problem. I wasted a completely good battery. Then, they told me it was the computer and it could be weeks or months until I receive the part because it is on national back order.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

problem #9

Jul 062014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 53,980 miles
As I have seen here in this complaints board my alternator also had fail while I was driving with my wife and friend in the vehicle when the high pitch sound came through speakers and the ABS & traction control light came on with a constant beeping chiming, then all of a sudden the all the cluster lights flashing and one of the cluster needle began to move erratically, I quickly moved to the shoulder and as I came to a stop the vehicle died and lost all power. We notice a burning smell coming from engine compartment and when I lifted the hood my friend notice the smell was stronger and as I looked to see what was burning I then saw the alternator smoking. I hurried to the back seat and laid down the seat to crawl to manual release cable to access the battery where I had to break the positive terminal to battery so the car would not catch fire. Called dealerships to warranty this but none would they directed me to Chrysler where I spoke with three persons there and they stated the same thing due to mileage its not covered. Very dangerous situation when all power is lost and if quick thinking and reaction on my part this could have ended differently. There are no notice's, recall's or safety warnings for this how can this be?

- Irving , TX, USA

problem #8

Jun 232014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 36,200 miles
I was driving down the road and my instrument panel started going crazy, lights were coming on, the speedometer was jumping up and down, then my radio and air conditioner shut down, then I lost power steering, and about 30 seconds later the car died in traffic on a busy highway. It was towed to the dealership and the next day I was told that first I needed to authorize the purchase for a battery so they could get it to come on, which I did. They called back later and told me my problem was that my ignition switch was stuck in the on position which caused it to fry the ignition switch and my battery. I contacted Dodge and they gave me a case # in which I followed up today and was told they were sorry there is nothing more they can do. They even told me that there have been similar issues and that Dodge was looking into the problem, but for now they couldn't help me. Another thing that really bothered me other than my car flaking out 200 miles after the warranty expired is that I get a letter in the mail the same day from Dodge about extending my warranty.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #7

Mar 292014

Challenger

  • 40,000 miles

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

On 3-29-2014 I was driving my car to the gym and the ABS light came on and off started flashing after I parked the car and finished from gym 1 hour later the car wouldn't turned on. Then it turned on and wouldn't go the break light came on. After that the car completely turned off nothing working I couldn't even roll up the windows and I was unable to even open the trunk. I towed the car to the dealership I do have extended warranty and I asked them what the problem was they told me that the alternator was damaged and they switched it. I asked them was caused the issue so I can prevent it. They said they have no idea how this happens. So if I was on the high was and driving 70mph and the alternator stops working most likely I will crash to another car or my car will just stop in the middle of high was and could kill me or someone else. Now im planning to trade in my car because no one explains to me how to prevent this issue from happening this is serious problem. Once the alternator stops working. Nothing working in your car nothing so how can I trust a car like this ??

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #6

Oct 292013

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
First, to happen was I pulled out of driveway when the "brakes' warning light came on. Continued travelling, and soon became nightime driving. Was going approx. 55 mph, when the instrument panel began to flash numerous warning lights. Then, the radio and interior lights began turning off and on. I was not able to manually turn off the radio during this time. I continued to drive to try to make it to a gas station. Then I felt hot air coming thru the vents. It was like I had on the heater, but I didnt. (nor the ac was on.) the car lost all power. The steering wheel locked. I was stranded. I was not able to put the car in neutral to move out of dangerous roadside nor was I able to put on the hazard lights, they came on but were very dim and slow flashing. All power was lost, no horn, lights...nothing. Did notice a burn smell coming from under the hood, but not sure what the cause was. I had it towed to the dealership. They stated it was an alternator/battery issue. They replaced the alternator/battery, however the airbag warning light was now on and horn no longer working. I didnt understand why the dealership didn't repair the airbag warning light and the horn. They did acknowledge these issues on my invoice yet no repairs were made. I have almost had 2 collisions since this. I was not able to sound horn to warn opposing drivers, and I still have no horn to sound. Both the airbag and horn malfunctions are hazardous and I dont understand why they didn't repair them at the deaership. ? thank you.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 132013

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 4,500 miles
Window doesn't always automatically move down as it should when opening and closing the door requiring reprogramming (holding the "down" switch for 10 seconds after window is all the way down then holding the "up" switch for 10 seconds after window is closed). Window also sometimes goes down on it's own after door is closed and owner walks away from the vehicle. This is not only a major inconvenience, but can possibly lead to fire due to electrical issues when window randomly goes down allowing rain/water to enter the vehicle while unoccupied (not to mention security issues).

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 062013

Challenger

  • 11,000 miles

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

Power windows on this car are designed to come down about an 1/8 to a 1/4 inch when you open the doors, and go back up when you close them. While car was parked the drivers window did not roll down all the way, then as I rolled the window up and exited the car the window did not do what it is designed to do, and is on the outside of the seal. The passenger window will keep going up and down as it was meant to except it will do it with the door closed and nobody opening the door. This is very distracting and could run the battery down and be a fire hazard.

- Andrews, IN, USA

problem #3

Jan 142012

Challenger 8-cyl

  • 3,270 miles
Cruise control would not work, airbag lights coming on multiple times. Taken to dealer / shop for repair. Cruise control works now. Still problems with airbag lights coming on at different times and different rates of speed. Has been to dealer multiple times (at least 4 times) for airbag is sues. Dealer has had seats out of car etc. To repair / replace "airbag sensor" / "wiring harness",. airbag light still coming on when it shouldn't. just really concern with this issue that could turn out to cause a fatality.vehicle mileage is at 13,150.

- Perry, FL, USA

problem #2

Sep 112012

Challenger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that when the brakes were depressed, the headlights and instrument panel lights would flicker from dim to maximum illumination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The alternator and battery were replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000 and the current mileage was 5,028.....updated 12/20/12 the consumer stated this also happened when turning the steering wheel. Updated 12/27/2012

- Coconut Creek , FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 262011

Challenger 8-cyl

  • miles
The Challenger srt8 is not equipped with a dash illumination system, which comes on, during normal daytime driving. The instruments (speedometer, tachometer) are only illuminated during operation of the parking or headlamps function. The gauges are somewhat recessed and are only partially visible during daytime driving conditions. Further, when turning on the headlamps, during daytime operation, the amount of illumination available, with the adjustment at maximum brightness, is still at a minimum value. This presents an obvious safety issue as to speed of vehicle, engine rpms and vital engine temperature readings.

- San Antonio, FL, USA

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