10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,738 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 Dodge Charger:

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

problem #35

Jun 012020

Charger 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Every now and again I have an issue with my car when I'm driving. I can just be driving and next thing you know my car will go into neutral on its own and I will literally have to pull over wherever I'm at. Once I'm pulled over I put the car into park and cut it off. It won't start back up right away cause the brake be feeling like it's locked. After a few minutes it will start back up and drive like nothing happened. I have no idea what causes this problem but it's dangerous. Majority of the time this happened I was in city limits but this last time it happened while I was on the highway going 70mph.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

problem #34

May 252020

Charger 6-cyl

  • 137,400 miles
May 25 2020, 2012 Dodge Charger SE. I was parking the vehicle in a residential area and tried to make a left turn to straighten the car, the service power steering light came on and I'm not able to turn the steering wheel in any direction. Took the vehicle to the mechanic and he changed the fuse 4 different times and it popped on him. No one has any remedies to correct this issue that's obviously now an ongoing problem with Dodge Chargers throughout different years and models. Please have a recall performed for the parts needed to remedy this situation. The vehicle should not be on the road under these conditions.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #33

Apr 032018

Charger 6-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
On April of 2018, my car check engine light came on. I noticed my car barely taking off as I incline a hill or make a sudden stop. After observing how my car was driving suddenly slow, I then took it to landmark Dodge in morrow, ga.for a diagnostic. The code given was P06dd(dealers code). I had to gather up $2500 to get (valve body work) done. The check engine light stayed off until October 2019 where I took my car to auto zone for a free diagnostic, but to my surprise it gave the same code. I work back and forth out of town so therefore I didn't make it back in time to get it reinspected again for that code. Recently on April 1st.my car stalled and all lights on the dashboard came on including windshield wipers. I do noticed further ahead a week later that when ever I run over a pot hole or bump in the road it does it more often. As of now, the check engine light is still on and my car electrical system still is failing. I've owned my car for 7 1/2 years now and do plan on keeping it around for at least 10 more years. The car runs great and is good on gas. Thanks

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #32

Mar 122020

Charger

  • 162,000 miles
My car turned off on me in the middle of the freeway. It was the starter that went out and the alternator.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #31

Mar 102020

Charger

  • 3 miles
My alternator or starter went out my car stopped on me in the middle of the freeway. It would not turn over when I try to start. I had to get a tow truck to take the vehicle to my home. Also the front headlight harness burnt out and I had to put another obe which does not work sometimes

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #30

Jul 312018

Charger

  • 100,000 miles
My vehicle is giving a message that says 'battery saver mode.' The battery in the vehicle is in perfect condition, the alternator has been replaced and I am still getting this message. According to blogs many people have had this problem. I have been informed that the car is at risk of spontaneously cutting off while in battery saver mode. This is a safety issue that needs to be looked into. It may be a sensor issue idk and my local Dodge is also unsure

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #29

Jan 182018

Charger

  • 117,000 miles
As I exited the freeway my vehicle began to shut down and lose power. I was able to sputter at 10 mph for about a quarter mile to a parking lot. The vehicles electronics were shutting down the whole time and weird electrical activation's started occurring or freezing on their own such as lights, senors, wipers, radio etc. I could also smell a burnt odor emitting from the air vents. When I parked the vehicle it did not start and had smoke coming from the engine. I checked the engine and saw some smoke coming from the alternator and smelled burnt. I took the vehicle to the dealer on 01-22-18 and they diagnosed it as the alternator failing due to the recall but there was no fix yet from Chrysler. They stated the quick fix is replacing the alternator but the vehicle would have to come back until they discover what needs to be fixed on the recall. Today is 01-24-18 and my vehicle is not repaired because the dealer is waiting approval from Chrysler to install a new alternator since there is no exact fix for the recall yet. They told me it may be an electrical computer problem, wiring problem or alternator problem. They told me they may install a new alternator today (01-24-18) and they had to order it. I have been with no vehicle since 01-18-18 due to the dealer and Chrysler not problem solving their mistake. I'm glad I didn't crash or was in the fast lane of the freeway when I lost power but my son was scared because he didn't know what was going on. I cant imagine the consequences if things had not gone the way they did. Someone could seriously get injured at the expense of Chrysler failing to find a fix. Would this fall under the lemon law?

- Eastvale, CA, USA

problem #28

Sep 152017

Charger 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving 65 mph, the windshield wipers activated and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over as it stalled. An eyewitness pulled over and observed smoke coming from the hood of the contact's vehicle. The contact decided to disconnect the battery due to smoke from the alternator. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (atlantic Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 130 sunrise hwy, West islip, NY 11795) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed. The remedy part for the recall was unavailable. The dealer offered another alternator and was informed that the failure could recur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 32419564. The case was escalated it and the contact was informed that they would have a manager return the call. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available....updated 11/12/17/ updated 12/13/2017 updated 7/17/18

- Islip Terrace, NY, USA

problem #27

May 202017

Charger

  • 130,000 miles
Driving on Florida turnpike and several car indicator warning lights came on, stability control, battery and so many others that I cannot remember them. A high pitched noise was emitted, car started smoking from vents and smelled like an electrical fire. I was passing a turnpike stop and was able to unsafely cross several lanes of traffic to pull in to the stop. I made it into the parking lot just in time and the car cut out. Had to take to be towed to the closest mechanic and leave overnight because it was too hot to connect to computer to troubleshoot. The battery casing was melted. The alternator and the battery had to be replaced. I am very grateful that I was next to a turnpike stop when this happened or my car would have shut down in the middle of the highway and could have resulted in a serious accident.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Jun 062017

Charger

  • 69,125 miles
The ABS and ESC light came on at the same time with no reason/incident. Started the vehicle going only 20 mph stopped at a stop sign and looked down and both lights were on. No heavy braking, or anything that would cause a malfunction due to driver carelessness.

- Londonderry, OH, USA

problem #25

Jun 012012

Charger

  • miles
I have had numerous recalls on this car, especially one that is pending that does not seem to have a remedy yet, I also had a problem with the driver seat making cracks and squeaky noises as well as losing my settings so I often have to adjust the seat, I took the car in about 4-5 times for this repair and it was never done correctly.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 232016

Charger

  • 92,000 miles
We had a catastrophic failure of the alternator which nearly caused a wreck with my entire family (infant daughter was in car at the time when the high heat came on and windows locked not allowing us to turn heat off or get out for a minute) while we were driving back home and had to have the vehicle towed and get it fixed at the dealership earlier this year around January. Now the air bag warning light is staying on constantly, and as of 3 days ago (08/21/2016) the radio stops working and yesterday (08/23/2016) the ABS & traction control lights came on and will not go off now (at 60 mph that's scary when your family is with you and brake warning lights and airbag lights come on!!!!!!!). so this makes 3 warning lights that are now on constantly, yet the recalls for these issues do not apply to this VIN number, but the problems are happening exactly the same as other peoples problems who were part of recalls. My dealership won't fix it unless I pay because my cars VIN number doesn't qualify for the recall, yet the same exact problems are happening as recall problems. I will never buy Dodge again as they have nearly killed me and my family enough, and are turning out to be very dishonest!

- Rocky Mount, VA, USA

problem #23

Jan 222016

Charger

  • 69,090 miles
While driving, the vehicle started making a whining noise. Soon after, we smelled an odor of burning rubber. Within 10 minutes, a vehicle warning light appeared indicating the charging system was malfunctioning. About 5 minutes later, the battery save mode light came on, we lost ABS and ESC, and the car seemed to have lost power. We were close to a Dodge dealer so we had the car looked at. Dealer had to replace the alternator. I asked about a recall or service bulletin and the service agent said there wasn't anything on the car. This car was in otherwise perfect condition, all services performed on time, with under 61000 miles.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #22

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 #21

May 252015

Charger

  • 38,000 miles
I was driving my 2012 Dodge Charger SXT (blacktop edition) approximately 45 mph on a highway when suddenly the car's electronic system starting going haywire. The ABS light when on, then the red brake light, then the engine light and so forth. The electronics started flickering on and off. I headed for the nearest exit and just I was exiting the car's steering ability locked up and coaxed it to the middle meridian of the road when it then suddenly lost power, narrowly avoiding an accident in a busy NY intersection. The vehicle would not turn on and I called aaa. They tried to give the car a boost but it only powered the electric system and it would not start. Once they took off the cables it had no power. The car had to be towed and is awaiting repairs.the car has never had any previous issues and I have maintained all regularly scheduled maintenance work with the dealer where I purchased the vehicle.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 292015

Charger

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving at 30 mph, the ABS and the traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #19

Mar 262015

Charger

  • miles
In November of 2014 I received a letter indicating that my vehicle has been recalled due to issues with the alternator. The recall stated that the ABS, ESC, emc, and cbc systems could/would experience issues due to the failing alternator. Recently, my vehicle's indicator lights appeared showing that I was experiencing failures to a few of those systems. The dealership was closed at the time, so I immediately called the Dodge 24 hour hotline to inquire about the status of the recalled parts. On that day, I was told that only a temporary fix could be offered because the parts will not be available for months. A few days later, I was issued a letter stating that the dealership will be able to fix my recalled alternator. I set up an appointment immediately and called Dodge headquarters to verify that this is a permanent fix. At that time I was again told that the fix is only temporary. When I went to the dealership I was told that I was receiving a permanent fix. Overall, I am unsure if my vehicle has been temporarily fixed or if I've received a permanent fix. In addition, the dealership takes no responsibility in assisting to fix the systems that failed as a result of the recalled alternator. I was told that I would have to pay $75 just for them to inspect the rest of the vehicle and then pay out of pocket for the systems that were affected by the recall. I find that to be absolutely ridiculous. There is a direct link and the dealership/Dodge should take responsibility for any issues with the ABS, ESC, emc, and/or cbc systems. I am disheartened by this horrible interaction with Dodge and the company's defiance in fixing all issues that are directly linked to their mistake. All in all, I have no clue if my car has been properly fixed because I've gotten an influx of different information and I am being held responsible to pay for Dodge's mistake.

- Melbourne , FL, USA

problem #18

Feb 212015

Charger 6-cyl

  • 50,156 miles
Vehicle ABS and traction control came on engine light came on battery saver mode turn on then off again radio screen shut off RPM went up dash board screen turn white and then the vehicle shut off while I was driving.

- Conley, GA, USA

problem #17

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 #16

Dec 102014

Charger 8-cyl

  • 28,900 miles
While parked and while driving, the ABS, ESC, and brake malfunction indicator lamps illuminate with a double warning chime. After 1 to 2 minutes, the indicators turn off. While the indicators are illuminated, the respective systems are not enabled. This was tested in winter weather by braking on slippery roads with no anti-lock intervention, and accelerating around a corner with no traction control or stability control intervention. The issue only happens when the car has been in operation for more than 30 min, and is aggravated by wet conditions, or a car wash with undercarriage spray. I have taken the car to the dealership with the same results. "could not reproduce the problem".

- Chesterfield Township, MI, USA

Read the next 15 complaints »