10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,058 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Dodge Charger Owner Comments

problem #20

Mar 012020

Charger

  • 159,000 miles

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

When starting my car the radio sometimes don't come on. I have to put the car in park shut off the car and restart it in order for the radio to come on. When driving and listening to the radio it goes in and out as if the dj is trying to block out profantiy but that's not the case. Also, when driving and I make a U-turn it feels as if the steering wheel is trying to lock up.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #19

Aug 222020

Charger

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 doge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, warning lights on the instrument panel suddenly displayed and the vehicles speed suddenly began to reduce. The contact indicated the vehicle would not properly accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal and the speed would not exceed 10 mph. Also while driving, smoke from the air vents was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #18

Dec 142019

Charger

  • 108,000 miles
Power steering fails, making it difficult to maneuver hard turns. This has caused me to go off the road and nearly wreck/strike other cars. After much research this is a common issue in these cars. It occurs at city and highway speeds. It's hard to steer at high and low speeds.

- Castle Rock, WA, USA

problem #17

May 102018

Charger

  • 83,000 miles

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

My car was working fine I was heading the freeway acceleration was forced some burnt smell came out of the air vent my traction control light turned on but before I wasn't able to set cruise control aswell I had to pull over to the side I turned my car off turned it on again I tried to accelerate but it seems my brakes were locked 2 days later a massage appear on my odemeter saying something about transmission shifter still can't drive it and it still smells burnt I tried to change gears and my car jumped the car hard

- Nogales, AZ, USA

problem #16

Aug 102017

Charger

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 35 mph, there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. The brake pedal was applied with force, but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed on the side of the road. The driver sustained injuries to the head, back, arm, chest, and was unconscious. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance for medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy and was uncertain as to which failure may or may not have been related to the collision. The dealer (ganas auto southgate, 4730 Firestone blvd, southgate, ca 90280, 323-364-5004) failed to inform the contact, at the time of purchase, that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V043000 (structure), 16V240000 (power train), 15V467000 (air bags and seat belts), and 16V352000 (air bags). The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and the crash. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

- South Gate, CA, USA

problem #15

Oct 012017

Charger

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving 45 mph, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to accelerate over 3,500 rpms. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- San Ysidro, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 132016

Charger

  • 126,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 60 mph, there was a rattling noise coming from underneath the vehicle, the contact coasted over to the side of the road and was able to resume driving. The engine stalled without warning, but the vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCM module failed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned. The dealer installed a PCM software, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Pinson, AL, USA

problem #13

Oct 102014

Charger

  • miles
While I was driving around 20 mph, my vehicle suddenly began to lose power. The ESC, ABS, etc and check engine light illuminated all at once and I had to quickly get to the side of the road without the use of gas. The gear shift was stuck and the screen on my dashboard informed me that I needed to push the start button to put my vehicle in park. I sat with my children on the side of the road for 10 minutes before the car started again. Lights on dashboard were still on but I was able to get the vehicle to the dealership. They diagnosed it as a faulty tire pressure sensor and some issue with a cylinder not functioning. I paid out of pocket for the cost of repair. A month later, I receive the P60 recall letter and it seems to describe the issue I had. I called the dealership and they made me feel like I was incompetent. I left the issue alone and had the recall on the alternator repaired in April. Last week, August 1st, my husband was driving the vehicle and the exact same thing happened to him again without warning. ESC, ABS, etc and check engine light illuminated and he had to pull to the side of the road safely while he lost power in the car. Gear shift was stuck and he had to put the vehicle in park by pressing the start button. Sat on the side of the road for 20 minutes before he was able to restart and drive to the dealership. The same Dodge dealership is now telling us to repair the left rear speed sensor, for the same issue we had in October.

- Sneads Ferry, NC, USA

problem #12

Jul 142015

Charger

  • 41,500 miles
On 7-14-15, I started my vehicle. As it started, I heard a "ding" noise. I observed on my display two warning lights on. That being the ABS, and electronic stability control (ESC) lights came on. After doing some research, I discovered this may be the result of a speed sensor going out. (this also disrupts use of cruise control.) I contacted my local Dodge dealer, advising them I needed a "front left speed sensor". the service manager said that part is on national backorder. After going back to my main mechanic, he said he talked with his parts dealer about getting the part also for my car. His parts dealer also told him that they were on backorder. (close to 600 on backorder.) this is also when I learned that a speed sensor is not universal. Therefore, a speed sensor for the right rear wheel, won't fit on the front left speed sensor spot. This tells me there is a large problem with these sensors going out, across the country. Being the front left speed sensor for the 2012 Dodge Charger (or other similar vehicles that utilize the same part)

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #11

Feb 102015

Charger 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
Vehicle's ABS and traction control warning lights came on, battery saver mode turned on then off again, radio display screen shut off, RPM's spiked, dash display screen turned white then all power to vehicle shut off.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #10

Sep 102014

Charger

  • miles

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

I had just got off of the high way and it appeared that my car wasn't driving to it's full speed. As I got a bit closer to my destination my radio cut off and the ABS light came on. As I pulled in the driveway the car shut off and I tried to start it back but the power was out from there. I had no clue what happen I just figured that a light may have been left on accidentally or something but that wasn't the case. I tried to get a jump but the car started literally for 10 seconds and no more after that.

- Jonesboro , GA, USA

problem #9

Sep 292014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle in rush hour, stop and go traffic. I came to a stop because of traffic congestion and my ABS and other warning lights became illuminated. There was no previous warning. The car ceased to function. Electric systems were locked and I was left immobile in the middle of traffic. I called a local tow truck from my cell phone and the car was towed to the local dealer. The diagnosis was alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The car was running fine in the days/weeks leading up to this incident.

- Port Jefferson, NY, USA

problem #8

Oct 212014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 68,200 miles
I was driving my 2012 Dodge Charger on the interstate with the cruise control set. All of a sudden the vehicle accelerated on it's on, canceling the cruise control setting. I could not turn the cruise control setting off, I could resume my previous speed setting, nor could I set the cruise to a new speed. I had to stop, turn the vehicle off and then back on for the cruise control setting to reset. I feel this is a safety hazard and that Dodge should issue a recall to fix the problem.

- Edgewater, FL, USA

problem #7

Sep 292014

Charger

  • 59,000 miles
I pulled into an intersection and the electrical on the vehicle started flashing off and on. Dashboard, wipers, radio, transmission and engine stuttering and stalling. I made it through the intersection, and about 20 feet from it before the car shut off completely. There was minimal power, so the hazards worked, but the key fob was not detected (I just bought a new battery for it last week), the warning lights on the dashboard continued to flicker each time I tried to restart it. The middle screen came up blank or white, and it would take several seconds before the button/start indicator would move from the "run" to the "off" position. The battery was obviously dead, but when a passerby stopped to help me try to jump it, it wouldn't take a charge. The electrical capacity continued to diminish as I tried to start it, or try different things to get it to work. The great shift locked up so I couldn't put it in neutral to roll the car out of the way. Since it was 4:30 on a busy, divided highway during a torrential downpour, I was terrified someone was going to hit me from behind. Fortunately ocso arrived to help divert traffic, and he helped me figure out where the emergency disconnect was for the transmission so we could push it off the road. Aaa came but it wouldn't stay charged. I was able to drive it home with the travel Charger on it. I tried to jump it again several times, with no luck, it was completely dead. So, $800 later, I have a new battery, new alternator, and feel lucky that I didn't get stuck in the intersection, get rear-ended, or hadn't left on my trip to North Carolina yet. It was an extremely dangerous situation, that could have been a lot worse, and there was absolutely no warning or indication that the alternator had gone bad. I know I'm not the only one that has experienced this based on a google search, and appreciate that the NHTSA is investigating.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #6

Sep 222014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
Driving to work, at about 45 mph, I saw a message on my dashboard read battery saver mode followed by a humming noise throughout the car. I then started to pull out of the freeway and my anti-skid lights flashed on and off, along with other unidentifiable dashboard lights. I managed to get into a gas station right before my car shut off completely. Per the dealer, alternator failure caused battery to shut down. How does an alternator fail on a car 2 1/2 years old? I have read so many complaints on this issue yet not recalls. Something needs to be done. I am still waiting to see if my extended warranty will cover costs, as I am 1000 miles out of my manufacturer warranty.

- West Covina, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 272014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 43,451 miles
While driving my entire instrument panel started shorting out. Before I was able to stop my car it completely died leavin me without steering capability. I couldn't even open the trunk where the actual battery is. The battery was completely dead. The problem turned out to be the alternator. I had to repair the alternator rotor and get a new rectifier and bearings. The manufacturer would not cover this under warranty. I believe this part was faulty and should be recalled. Apparently the premature failure of this part it is commonplace for this vehicle. I wasn't going very fast and was able to begin pulling over and slowing down. As it was I did not have enough inertia and was still partially in the road way. Had I been on the freeway, this could have been deadly. I did not even receive a battery low warning previous to this incident.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #4

Aug 282014

Charger 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Driving on a turnpike with the cruise set at 75mph and the "battery safe mode" indicator came on. From then in a matter of seconds my radio first shut off, then my forward collision sensor, then my blind spot sensor. Then in the next following minute or so, every electronic device shut off and my car went into "limp mode". it was raining and my windshield wipers stopped working and I had to get to the side of the turnpike fast. With rush hour traffic all around me and me having to find my way through the traffic to the shoulder safely with no blinkers, power steering, windshield wipers, and my car would not run over 1200 or so RPM's. my car was slowing fast. By the time I got to the shoulder my car had died. I had it towed to my house. Tried to jump it with no success. I took the battery to get it checked not thinking about how I would get back into the trunk. I had to crawl through the back seat access to the trunk and pull the emergency trunk cable. Battery was fine after all, and turns out it was the alternator, which I figured from the start, I was just covering my bases. Next looking for a new alternator or to get it repaired, I could not do either. All places, pep boys, O'reily's, auto zone, and Napa did not have this alternator available. I went to get it repaired and they said the part I needed was on national backorder. My only way was to go to a dealership to buy a new one. Luckily no accident happened on the turnpike, but it was a dangerous situation and could have turned out very bad for me and my 2 year old son in the backseat. This is a problem Dodge needs to recall or cover the cost for it before someone is killed. The major safety concern is how the car deals with this failure and makes it completely unsafe to drive within a matter of minutes from the first indication of a problem.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #3

Aug 242014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
Battery light went on, then the electrical light went on then all the lights started flashing. Steering wheel was hard to move, car gave me just enough power to drive onto the side of the road into the bike lane. Then the car wouldn't go in to any position except drive, the car wouldn't turn off, all electric went out. After about 25 minutes of the car trying to drive by itself and heating up with smoke, the car finally lost all power and turned off allowing me to put it in drive and turn on the hazard lights. Then the screen and lights continued to go of and on and continued until a service truck was able to tow me. He charged the battery to allow me to roll windows up and stated it was the alternator not holding power to the car.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #2

Aug 112014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
While driving my several of my dashboard lights flickered while driving over 50 miles an hour (note: Although I selected 50 mph, I drove at varying speeds due to start/stop traffic - the initial issues happened at above 50 mph), I started smelling burning smell - likely wires and became concerned, I also heard a strange whizzing sound. I kept driving when gradually my car began to lose power, the dashboard notified me that it was going into battery saving mode and then less than a minute or two later, my power steering was gone instantly, the car stalled in the middle of traffic as I was coming around a turn, hoping to avoid an accident in the middle of rush hour. I was able to make it to the hill ahead and let gravity pull me into a safer place. I did not know what happened. I called for a tow truck and had no power left, not even enough to turn on the flashers. The car did not restart. I had the car towed to sears for a charging system diagnostic and turned out that the alternator was dead. The battery was also dead. I paid for a new battery and confirmed that the alternator was not charging the new die-hard advanced gold battery I just purchased. I had it towed a second time to take it to the Dodge dealer because I was informed that it was unsafe to drive it, even though the dealer was only 16 mins away that same day. The dealer confirmed that the alternator was dead. We will confirm main cause today. This car is a 2012 and I could not understand how a car that new even with 101,000 (a large % are highway miles) could have a bad alternator go that soon. So far, my bill will be over $1000 just to replace the alternator in addition to the $233 I had to pay for the battery at sears. More diagnostics are being done at this time. They mentioned that it was unrelated to any prior recalls.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #1

Jul 302014

Charger 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Ac, speedometer, radio, all stopped working. Icons on the dashboard kept flashing out of control. The vehicle became difficult to steer, windshield wipers started on their own, windows locked. Then car just stopped working all together while I was driving. I thought maybe it was the battery so I attempted to get a jump. The vehicle turned on while it was being "jumped". as soon as the cables came off the strange behavior started again.

- Marana, AZ, USA

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