10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 31
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,349 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 Charger electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Dodge Charger Owner Comments (Page 16 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Feb 182014

Charger

  • 44,000 miles

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

Car was not in motion, went to turn it on and speakers fail to come on and have not been working since. Display is functional, all buttons and controls are also functionals but no sound plays from speakers.

- Slidell , LA, USA

problem #18

Jun 232014

Charger

  • 36,900 miles
First, I received warning for "battery saver mode" on dashboard. Later in the day, I took car to dealership for a service visit and the car shut down right there. All lights went crazy and car put itself in neutral very violently. I am afraid of this car and what it may do if this were to happen at a higher speed. Once the car took over control, I could not shut it off, put it in gear, or anything else for that matter. Dealer says its simply a bad battery and I am very leery of the dealer's diagnosis at this point.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #17

Jun 142014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 49,848 miles
I was driving down the road at 15mph and the TPMS light and traction light flashed on the dash and than I started smelling smoke and hearing a loud high pitched noise, car stopped in middle of road creating a hazard, I got out quickly and popped the hood and smoke flew out of the alternator area. Took car in and Dodge is trying to charge $790 to fix this very common issue on the 3.6 2012 Dodge Charger SE.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #16

May 212014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles

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

While driving 35 mph, I smelled something burning. My battery light came on and the car shut down. I had it towed to the closest Dodge dealer. The dealership has reported that my alternator, serp belt & tensioner need to be replaced at a cost of $876!!!!! with all the other complaints that are very similar to mine, I feel a recall is in order!!!....updated 07/23/14

- Bullhead City, AZ, USA

problem #15

May 142014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 36,480 miles
We were driving and the ABS and skid lights illuminated on the dash, all the function lights illuminated the steering column locked and the car just halted and stalled. Everything was dead, unable to start and the wipers were going. The wipers were never turned on but kept running despite the car being "dead" wipers in off position. Towed home and then to dealership (dealership has no off hour gate access) told (2) days later the battery was dead on a 2 yr old vehicle, then I received a second call stating the alternator was the culprit. The alternator needs replacement, and no one can explain the rhyme or reason why it needs to be replaced on a 2yr old vehicle. The vehicle also has automatic push start and will not work sometimes unless the remoteless key is pressed to start the vehicle on the start-button (instead of pressing with finger, use the remote less entry- I was told this resets the reading- having to do this once/twice a month).

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #14

May 152014

Charger

  • 43,650 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be repaired. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,650.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 042014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 49,900 miles

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

I was driving and the headlight on the passenger side quit working. I stopped and checked it out and the light would come on if I touched the connector. Firestone replaced the bulb. The bulb was intermittent. If you touched the connector it would work. Ultimately, the connector caught fire and melted off. I found that there was a recall, but my VIN was not covered in the recall. The recall should be expanded! I am senior systems engineer for the federal aviation administration and fully qualified to assess that it is a safety issue.

- Mchenry, IL, USA

problem #12

Apr 102014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
On my way work I stopped to get coffee and my radio turned off and when I was able to turn it on the volume wouldn't go pass 20. I got on the parkway and my battery light came on. I was pulling over at the next stop and came to a light as it was turning from red to green, so I didn't have to come to a complete stop and that is when my tranmission light came along with every light on my dash (my car went crazy). My car put "itself" in neurtal as I was crossing the traffic. This could have caused a serious accident. Thank god after playing with it I was able to get it into drive and the car started shaking and barely driving. I pulled it into a parking space at 711. I was unable to turn it off for 30 minutes. It started making loud noises under the hood like it was going to blow up and all the hands on my speedometer, etc were going back and forth like crazy and every light in my dash was on. The car wouldn't allow me to put my windows down and it said the key has left the vehicle when I had it in my hand the whole time. I was finally able to get the car to turn off and didn't try to restart it in fear of having the same problem or I was concerned it would blow up. I have never had any of my cars do that ever! I had it towed to the Dodge dealership and I am waiting to hear back from them. I looked online and seen the recalls but my VIN number is not in the recall. Reading blogs from this sight and other sights people have had the same problem. I see where Dodge isn't honoring the recall because vehicles aren't on the recall list but how are people having the same problem and no one or Dodge it doing anything about this" does someone have to die or get hurt first"! if Dodge doesn't make good and I have to pay for my vehicle to get fixed I am going straight to every new broadcasting reporter I know and then from there I am getting a lawyer. My car had a mind of it's own

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #11

Mar 102014

Charger 6-cyl

  • miles
My 2012 Dodge Charger is having the same problem as the recall but come to find out my VIN # is not on the recall list.I went to the part store to purchase a light bulb when the guy told me to take my car to the dealer because the wire harness had melted the dealer pull up my vehicle VIN# and stated my car is not under a recall and that I had to pay to get my car fix. Why is my car having the same problem as the recall but not on a recall list I really would like an answer to my complaints. Thank you.

- Newberry, SC, USA

problem #10

Jan 132014

Charger 6-cyl

  • miles
I was driving my car and all of a sudden it died on me, it gave me no warning signs of any type. I had it towed to shop and they told me that my alternator and battery were gone. Im wondering how could that be if I just got vehicle last year brand new with 0 miles on it. I don't drive my car rough or anything I take very good care of this vehicle so how can this be.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #9

Nov 202013

Charger

  • 39,768 miles

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

Passenger side headlight went out. I was able to tap on it for a few days to make it come back on thinking it was just a loose wire, but one night it completely went out. I brought it to pepboys and upon a closer observation they found that the socket was melted and had caused the headlight to burn out as well.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #8

Oct 152013

Charger 6-cyl

  • 38,000 miles
The drivers side low beam headlight went out while driving. Thinking it was the bulb, I took the car apart to replace it and the connector was melted. I found that there was a recall regarding the wiring and power distribution and called the dealer and scheduled an appt for repair. A few days later, the other headlight went out, at night, while driving home from work. This is a very dangerous safety issue for me as well as other drivers. The dealer replaced the recalled parts but the low beam harness bulb connector is not included in the recall. I currently only have one working headlight again and I have no choice but to pay for repairs myself at this point because I can't risk both lights going out again. Something needs to be done.

- Carterville, IL, USA

problem #7

Nov 022013

Charger 6-cyl

  • 39,418 miles
Head light harness melting, low beams not working, ABS/ESC lights on constantly and vehicle not stopping properly because of ABS/ESC issues, spoke with Dodge and were advised that our VIN# was not on the list to be repaired for known recalls resulting in these issues - see this link for related recalls www.motortrend.com/cars/2012/Dodge/Charger/recalls/.

- Dade City , FL, USA

problem #6

Jul 042013

Charger 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that driver's side headlight was replaced three times and there was a recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 12V042000-electrical system), but the dealer informed her that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the wire connector was burned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000. The current mileage was 47,500...updated 12-05-13

- Farmerville, LA, USA

problem #5

Jun 262013

Charger 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the low beam headlights failed. The contact spoke with the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign id number:12V042000(exterior lighting), but was told that recall was for police vehicles only. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.

- Whitakers, NC, USA

problem #4

Jul 122013

Charger 8-cyl

  • 24,217 miles
2012 Dodge Charger with police package. Initially, vehicle would not start and had to be jumped started. Approximately one hour later, the vehicle would not accelerate past 2,000 rpms. The dealer replaced the accelerator pedal and accelerator pedal position sensor. Two days after getting the car back from the dealer, the same scenario occurred. While driving the car to the dealer, it would not go above 25 mph but then would suddenly accelerate to 45 mph without driver input. I was able to slow the vehicle with the brake but this could be a safety concern for someone not prepared for this. The car is now at the dealer waiting repair.

- Colerain Township, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 142013

Charger 6-cyl

  • miles
2012 Dodge Charger low beam headlight on the driver side continues to go out. I have a melted/fried harness and exposed wiring. Has been going out for several months. I have to replace bulbs continuously both oem and after market bulbs. There are other owners experiencing the same issue, especially on the driver side. There is a recall for the police version, but none for the SE models, however, the issues seem to be the same. I have filed a complaint with Chrysler. Visiting the dealer tomorrow to attempt remedy.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #2

May 062013

Charger 6-cyl

  • 29,496 miles
We bought this vehicle on May 6, 2013, two hours later the check engine light went on. Took it to autozone and hooked it to the computer said it was the transmission. Proceeded to take it to the dealer on May 7th 2013 where they ran a test and found code P0741 -U0002- checked for contaminated fluid, relearned transmission serviced transmission, reset computer. The car was in the shop again on May 30th 2013 for the passenger side window (electrical). We got the car back on June 1st 2013 and the window did not work so as we were waiting for Monday June 3rd to take it back to the shop, the check engine light came on again. We are waiting to hear from the dealership as to what is wrong this time. We have only had physical possession of this vehicle for 4 1/2 days since the purchase, it is still in the shop being fixed. We had gone to the Dodge website and found that this particular vehicle has previously been in the shop 3 times for electrical problems.

- Seymour, TN, USA

problem #1

Jul 032012

Charger 8-cyl

  • 731 miles
Car malfunctioned twice at high rate of speeds within days of each other. Extremely dangerous driving conditions. Car currently being towed again but not fixed.received recall notice approximately 15 hours after car fixed first time, indicating the recall was a known problem because of timeframe. Not apparent from repair information that recall part was checked even though the same system was affected. -7/3 - 8:30pm driving at a high rate of speed on highway. Malfunction indicator and ESC malfunction indicators came on, along with alarms. Pulled off highway when safe. Car shook violently. Towed to dealership. -7/5 - ~4:00pm - car fixed. Indicated "ABS module dtcs C0037-62.C003A-62 and C121C-00. Found engine wrre harness connector C102 loose. Reinstalled connector C102. Cleared all codes. Performed extended road test. Verify okay." -7/6 ~12pm - received recall notice in mail. Safety recall M10/NHTSA 12V-197 ABS/ESC wiring. Recall calls out same parts as original malfunction that could cause crash without warning. -7/7 - 10:30am. Driving at a high rate of speed on highway. Same malfunction indicators came on with alarms. No place to pull off without causing a wreck. Slowed driving and put on hazards. Awaiting tow truck. Dealer alerted. I'm terrified of driving this car that has under 900 miles. Twice the incidents occurred in heavy highway traffic at high rates of speed.

- Belmont, CA, USA

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