2012 Dodge Charger
The Verdict
The 2012 Dodge Charger has 648 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (392 complaints) and engine (106 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 17/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Dodge Charger, consider the 2024 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2024 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2024 Dodge Charger dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 97 | 100 | 152 | 786 | 157 |
| 2007 | 69 | 35 | 113 | 138 | 210 |
| 2008 | 61 | 14 | 390 | 121 | 26 |
| 2009 | 40 | 6 | 79 | 46 | 4 |
| 2010 | 29 | 5 | 113 | 78 | 13 |
| 2011 | 40 | 44 | 428 | 165 | 14 |
| 2012 | 59 | 37 | 392 | 106 | 54 |
| 2013 | 74 | 11 | 175 | 60 | 38 |
| 2014 | 92 | 24 | 101 | 75 | 48 |
| 2015 | 35 | 13 | 29 | 33 | 25 |
| 2016 | 79 | 6 | 28 | 49 | 19 |
| 2017 | 47 | 4 | 38 | 25 | 11 |
| 2018 | 50 | 5 | 44 | 15 | 8 |
| 2019 | 21 | 11 | 61 | 16 | 1 |
| 2020 | 11 | 0 | 33 | 6 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| 2024 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
My airbag light comes on intermittently and when I called the dealership and told them they brushed it off as nothing. My car already had open recalls for the airbag and got fixed but it’s still having the same issues. I had the car since October of 2025 and there was no lights on when I financed it. The car has had 2 airbag related recalls done in 2015, 2019. Is there any way of getting my vehicle fixed by the dealership or manufacturer due to a safety concern of the airbag light randomly coming on. The dealership and manufacturer is claiming out of date for the work and it’s my job to pay for the diagnostic fee for the airbag light/getting it fixed.
Brake Light, ABS Light, and Traction Control Light lit up on dash. Took car to dealership and the issue was diagnosed as a faulty ABS module. This is MOPAR part 68160269AB, which is discontinued. I was also told that there were no after-market options, and that programming a used one might not work. So I have no option to get ABS functionality for my car. I am willing to pay for the part and labor to get this repaired, and Dodge is not even giving me the option.
Headlight pigtail assembly burned out as described in the 2014 safety recall. 14V-101 / P08 Recall Summary The wiring sub-harnesses for the headlights may overheat, and the low beam headlights may fail. Dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs or the headlight assemblies as needed free of charge to resolve the concern.
While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear while driving and the airbags. The dealership is not going to warranty anything because it's past. It does it off and on, and I don't know when it's going to happen. Popping in and out of gear. So I took it to the [XXX] 4025 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell Idaho. 83605. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Can not put car into park i have took it to normals dealership and referred to me that it's a recall issue.
My vehicle has been experiencing electrical issues causing my radio to cut off and my car to cut off and lose power while driving. When the car is moving and loses power it's causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.
Says that my car is simply just dead smells like gas when trying to start up and shakes but doesn’t start up
I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealerships. I have receipts for parts I have replaced that were recalled, as diagnostics tests. This has been going on since 2022 one after another and then affects other parts I even asked them to do a software update for the electronic monostable gear they said no.
tire size is 235/55R19 the tires had to be replaced because they were wearing unevenly and loosing tread quicker than we believe they should. The rims prematurely rusted and the caps rusted so badly they could not be put back on the vehicle after the new tires we purchased were put on the car.
My insuramce claim is [XXX]. [XXX] afternoon. My car was parked on hill parking lot. I put on drive, was getting ready to leave and go home. Car has no acceleration, start sliding down while i stepped on gas. So I stepped on brake and no brake, car kept sliding downhill and hit another subaru. Nothing worked then I stepped on e brake and saved my life. My car computer has a malfunctioning.This car and accident has causes me so much emotional stress, i was shaking up and i will not ever get into that car again. Please contact me [XXX] . Id like you guys to get into my car computer box to tell me what caused my car out of control before i take my car to dodge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: P01; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The battery keeps dying. The vehicle is draining the battery while it is not running.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the passenger's side seat wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000.
The contact's husband owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, lost motive power, and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: P0016 (Cam and Crank shafts signals error). The vehicle was taken to the residence where the cam shaft and oil sensors were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
I purchased a 2012 Dodge Charger shortly after tha it just stopped working. It was perfectly fine and then it just wouldn't start. It only turned on to accessory mode. The lights ,radio,ac, ect. turned on but the vehicle did no. The brake pedal was very hard couldn't be pushed down. On the dashboard a red lightning bolt symbol with two parentheses appeared. I got it towed the dealership send the problem was the battery and the key fob. I picked it up it was fine and then a few days later while driving on the highway it suddenly started to lose power and completely stopped. same red lightning bolt symbol appeared.I barely made it to the side of the road. I had my son with me. It was a very scary situation our lives were in danger as well as the other drivers behind me because of the sudden decrease in speed. I had to get it towed for the second time. The dealership said that they changed the fuel pump. It was fine after that then couple weeks later I noticed the check engine light come on for about half a day then turn off. 2 Days later I went to turn it on and it did not start, same red lightning bolt symbol appeared again. I got it towed to the manufacture dealership for a recall and they did diagnostic and are telling me that it is the starter switch. They didn't mention anything about the red lightning bolt and it still doesn't turn on
Was just driving and the engine just cut off now it want start. I carried it to a certified mechanic he said the motor locked up. He also said it's common for this 3.6 to do this. Something about stuff getting in the engine and causes the bearings to mess up and the pistons.
It is not staying in the proper level
Had catastrophic engine failure at 100k miles doing 70mph. I believe it was timing chain failure. Replaced the engine with a refurbished engine and now have the exact same problem. It seems like the MDS system is the main cause for this to keep happening so why isn’t this a recall issue. These engines are not cheap to replace
Lifter failure is causing metal shavings from the cam to fall into the engine block and cause the engine to fail. This is a known problem with these cars and nothing is being done about it by the manufacturer.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V018000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact stated that she was approached by a door-to-door representative of the manufacturer to schedule a home visit by a technician to replace the air bag inflator however, the representative never returned. Parts distribution disconnect.
648 total