1.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
187,839 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Chrysler 200:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #53

Dec 142020

200

  • 88,000 miles
With the wipers on, all of a sudden, they will start to skitter across the windshield then stop and start again then speed up and slow down. If they are turned off the wipers will continue to run then finally stop halfway in the glass then finally goto the resting position. This occurs randomly at any time of year. I have had the wiper switch replaced hoping that the relay in the switch assembly was the issue but the problem still persists.

- Pleasant Valley, NY, USA

problem #52

Feb 272020

200 6-cyl

  • 71,500 miles
There was cold air coming out of the passenger side air vents. This would take a significant amount of time to defrost the windows. The air was about as cold as the static outside air temperature. The drivers side air would eventually heat up the entire windshield to safely drive. However, if it was below 20F outside the drivers side heat would not be hot enough to keep the passenger side window defogged. This posed a lot of safety concerns cursing along the highway. Later, this was deemed to be a clogged/faulty passenger side heater-core which had to be replaced. After this was replaced the passenger side air is about as hot as the drivers side now. The defrost times are equal on both sides during cold starts and visibility is back to normal. The mechanic recommends doing an annual cooling flush to prevent the heater core from becoming faulty in the future. Although they said even that isn't a guarantee to solve the issue entirely. Apparently the heater core has a critical design issue.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #51

May 082020

200 6-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
While driving car shut off. Also windshield wipers not working properly.

- Edgewood, MD, USA

problem #50

Feb 182020

200

  • 107,000 miles
The heater core become clogged preventing air flow, to defrost the windshield on the passenger side of the car. I even did the regular scheduled coolant flushes to prevent this from happening, and it still happened. It becomes dangerous as the vehicle heater core becomes so backed up that not even a full heater core flush can save it. I have read on line that this is a issue that happens to a lot Chrysler vehicles, and it sounds as if it has to do a lot to with the car was manufactured through the sand cast process. The car has overheated also has a hard time keeping the car warm because of the clogged heater core. This problem has effected many of the 200 vehicles, and im surprised that a resolve has not be brought out yet., it almost got me in a accident on the turnpike because I couldn't defrost the windows.

- Bensalem, PA, USA

problem #49

Jan 242020

200

  • 115,000 miles
While driving the vehicle in 30 degree weather, started smelling something very bad coming from HVAC system and windows became very foggy. I had to roll the windows down with the defrost on in order to see. Vision was still impaired. After letting it sit, a film appeared on the inside of the windshield, which is hard to remove. Further impairing vision. Prior to this, heat on the passenger side stopped working so the passenger side of the windshield would not defrost quickly. Currently have it in the shop. They are guessing it's the heater core, a known issue with this vehicle. Estimated cost starting at $900.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #48

Nov 172017

200

  • 99,751 miles
Takata recall no heat on passenger side, blows cold air. Unable to defrost passenger side of windshield. Chrysler service advised that heatercore plugged, need to replace heater core, radiator, engine oil cooler & thermostat. Had all replaced, at a cost of $2200. One year later, same problem, no heat passenger side.

- Hebron, OH, USA

problem #47

Feb 062018

200

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the heat and defroster stopped working. The vehicle was taken to landmark Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (1900 S noland rd, independence, mo 64055) four times, and each time the heater cooler was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Grain Valley, MO, USA

problem #46

Jan 202019

200

  • 66,300 miles
My horn started honking on it own. I first noticed it when I was outside the car and had not touched it, the horn started honking. I got in the car and it stopped. Every time I drive the car the horn honks on its own, sometimes long honks other times brief. The next thing it started raining and the wipers would not work properly they would swipe halfway and stop, only working when on high. Finally I was driving home and the car stopped in traffic. I sat for a few minutes and started it and it would stop after moving for about an inch. The car stopped three or four times and finally I was able to drive the 2 or 3 miles to my home and park.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #45

Dec 012017

200

  • 42,000 miles
Defrost doesn't work. Dealership calls for replacing radiator, heater core and oil cooler due to sludge build-up/clogging in coolant/heating system. This appears to be due to an incompatibility between the coolant used by Chrysler and the chemicals/oils used in the manufacture of the engine system. This is 100% a manufacturing defect and the dealer & manufacturer are unwilling to replace. Fairly common problem with the 2012/2013 Chrysler 200, regardless of engine type. This is a safety concern as the windshield can become fogged very quickly while driving under the right conditions (damp weather) and without warning, posing a safety hazard. Started about one year ago.

- Somerville, MA, USA

problem #44

Nov 252016

200

  • 117,000 miles
Passenger side pushes out cold air, terrible to drive in and uncomfortable. Battery has been replaced 4 times in the last 2 years. Alternator as well. While driving to work, my windshield frosted over from being so cold and I had to veer off the road to avoid getting into an accident.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #43

Jan 012015

200

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the defrost system did not function properly. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had to be flushed every year in order for the defroster to work. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Consumer stated thermostat was replaced. VIN not available

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #42

Oct 022018

200

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the heat and defroster were not working specifically on the passenger side, which affected the contact's visibility while driving. The contact also noticed a fuel odor coming from the heating unit when it was activated. The contact called the dealer (barbera autoland, 7810 E roosevelt blvd, philadelphia, pa 19152, (215) 333-3700) and was informed that there was no recall. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer agreed with the dealer and stated that there was an assistance program to help pay for the repairs, if the contact was eligible. The manufacturer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #41

Mar 022018

200

  • 102,453 miles
2012 Chrysler 200 convertible heat fails to defrost window causing total visibility loss and inability to see out of windshield. Lack of heat does not allow for safe operation of vehicle. This occurs when vehicle is running. The car can not warm up enough to defrost windshield. No heat coming from defrost or vents. Blows cold air. This occurs when driving or stationary. Can not see! dangerous!

- Boothbay, ME, USA

problem #40

Oct 012017

200

  • 35,000 miles
The car had only 35,000 miles when the issue started. The passenger heat is cold, and the defrost will not work, while the driver's side gets warm, and will defrost a small amount of the driver side windshield, and nothing on the side windows. This issue is a hazard for visibility in the winter. I have researched the matter to finds this is a common issue with the Chrysler 200 and has a repair bill of $1500 as the passenger side has a blockage or clog in the system.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #39

Nov 222017

200

  • miles
Passenger windshield visibility do to heater core not giving heat at passenger side clogged at about 70K miles dangerous to me and oncoming traffic an accident waiting to happen.

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #38

Oct 102012

200

  • 80 miles
"takata recall" when it is cold the defrost won't work and the passenger side of the car is extremely cold.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #37

Feb 242018

200

  • 101,000 miles
Known issue with heater core results in not only comfort issues, but driving hazard, as the defroster is also impacted. Heat does not flow from passenger side defroster, resulting in lack of visibility. This has happened more than one time while driving, including instances of total blockage of view on right side of windshield.

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

problem #36

Jan 032018

200

  • miles
The heater core gets clogged up and your windshield visibility will not be cear. Thia will cause unsafe driving measures.no heat my car blows out vool air only.

- Rahway, NJ, USA

problem #35

Dec 112017

200

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the defroster failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to glendale Chrysler (10070 manchester rd, St louis, mo 63122) where it was diagnosed that the engine core radiator, heater core, and radiator cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #34

Sep 012017

200

  • miles
Complaint: Passenger seat belt gets stuck when buckled. You have to pull really hard to release the buckle. If I were to get in a wreck I could not get a passenger out of my passenger seat because its too hard to unbuckle.this occurs when car is moving and stationary. Heater problems: My passenger side heat is not working it is blowing cold air and will not defrost the passenger side. Only the driver side right vent blows warm air. This issue occurs when car is stationary and moving.

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »