10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,913 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 Challenger steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Dodge Challenger Owner Comments

problem #18

Feb 282020

Challenger

  • 137,134 miles

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

All of a sudden my power steering went out it's hard to steer the vehicle while making a left turn, on a city street with a lot of traffic and pedestrians. The road was dry. No indications that the car was having an issue prior to that. I checked the power steering fluid and the belt I don't hear a sound. I've asked several people about this issue and a lot of people have reported this as being a problem with the vehicle. I was in the middle of a turn and the power steering went out which caused me to almost hit the curb and pedestrians on the sidewalk. There has to be a resolution because this is a problem not with just my vehicle up with many others. When I bought the vehicle I was told that it had a new power steering unit in it.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #17

Sep 092019

Challenger

  • 120,000 miles
I initially got my alternator changed by my own mechanic before there was any recall on the alternator. Then some time last year 2018 I took my car in for the recall on the air bags. While my car was at Dodge they notified me that the recall on my alternator still hadn't been cleared since I never changed it with Dodge so I was like what the heck why not just get a brand new one through Dodge this time while they're repairing whatever needed to be done with my air bags. Fast forward to July of 2019 I took my car in to Dodge dealership for some shaking while my foot was on the break and for the gears not properly shifting. My rpms were going way too high before the next gear would shift. Service at dealership claimed to fix the issue but I was back a week later because my check engine light came back on. After leaving it there another several days they said they found the actual issue so now I shouldn't be having any problems. ( something was misfiring, a coil was changed etc.) now Sept of 2019 my car decided to stop on me while driving on the freeway almost killing me. My entire dashboard went crazy check engine light went off, air bags light, steering wheel, no key fob detected all while loosing power. Thankfully I made it off the exist with just enough power to get to a gas station right off the freeway before my car completely turned off on me. I took the battery to get checked it was completely dead, recharged it car started fine then went back to doing the exact same thing with warning signs all over the dashboard and leaving me again. I bought a brand new battery and still wont turn on. Being that I experienced something similar the first time my alternator went out I am pretty sure this is the same exact thing. I have had nothing but issues with this car since I got it will be taking it back to dealer but I no longer feel comfortable driving this vehicle.

- Pacoima, CA, USA

problem #16

Mar 112019

Challenger

  • 113,000 miles
Battery was replaced because it went dead. Lost power steering. Windows going up and down on their own running down new battery. Found fuse that runs side mirrors and power steering to be good but is showing the fuse box to be grounding out when fuse is removed. I have heard of alot of issues with the windows on this car. Nobody can seem to locate the problem. The car was sitting still and engine not turned on. If I leave windows open, weather damage is done. Dangerous to drive without power steering. Afraid it might catch on fire due to the grounding out. There are no recalls referring to this issue. Why and what can I do about getting this resolved when mechanics can't find the problem?

- Mt Pleasant, TX, USA

problem #15

Oct 082018

Challenger

  • 196,000 miles

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

Replace hydraulic power steering pump after the storm now my car is hard to turn it is bad in parking lots. I have to use two hands and I'm a guy

- Lamar, SC, USA

problem #14

Aug 042018

Challenger

  • 10,000 miles
I was driving on the freway and my Challenger lost power and smelled like something was burning and my steering wheel locked up I had to have it towed 15 miles back to my apartment and now its just sitting I checked for recalls and low and behold there is a recall for an alternator and diods recall number T-36 so I called to Dodge dealers and once again they are giving me the run around stevens creek Dodge said a month and a half rediculouse and fremont Dodge gives two months until they can replace it Dodge service manager said they only get a few parts to work with I highly doubt that I recently got my passenger side airbag done and they broke the part im not even sure if it is actually working huge safety hazard I need my vehicle repaired asap someone needs to contact me asap I also had to use up my towing miles from my insurance company im requesting a rembersmant for that and if they can repair a seriouse issue with my Dodge in a timely manner they need to supply a loaner so I cn get to work and if I cant get any results on this issue I will seek legal advice this is a very serious issue I was almost in a serious accident because of it I could not turn my wheel as the vehicle shut down I have it all on my dashcam I will be expecting a call or email on this asap

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 252018

Challenger

  • 104,000 miles
Pulling out of my driveway, steering became very tight turning to the left, with a sound of rubber on rubber in the front end and steering column. When car was straight and accelerating forward the steering became normal. Progressively, the steering upon slowing down and turning corners was still to the right and less stiff to the left. My car has the electronic hydraulic power steering system. I was told that I needed a new ps pump at a cost of $1,434 for the part alone.

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #12

Dec 172014

Challenger 8-cyl

  • 478 miles

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

Heavy rust on steering and control arms and other structural joints and welds.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

problem #11

Mar 212015

Challenger

  • 81,000 miles
I was driving in the rain in the middle of downtown houston Texas, when I heard something pop/snap then my car started pulling very heavy to the right (extremely hard to steer). When I pulled over, I got out of my car and saw that the passenger side front end was almost touching the ground. When I was finally able to take a good look behind my tire, I saw that the strut plate and strut rod had snapped into, making my car inoperable. This malfunction could be due to a weak weld or something of the sort. But I do know that this is not normal, especially since I did not hit a pot hole or even a small bump in the road to even cause the snap. I am grateful to be alive because it could've been a whole lot worse.

- Wesson, MS, USA

problem #10

Nov 162014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 62,200 miles
While driving home with my 11yr old son my car started making a high pitch sound. Then all the dashboard lights came on and the car stalled. Due to no electrical power, I couldn't use my emergency lights. To prevent rear end crash, I had to hand signal to cars to go around. Vehicle was towed to my home. Had the car diagnosed and was told the alternator had went bad. The cost for parts and labor is 900-1000$. I have not had the vehicle fixed. I contacted Chrysler and was told the list was still being compiled of VIN's affected and they would begin to notify customers Dec 5th. Chrysler is not reimbursing for any towing or rental car expenses due to this recall.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #9

Sep 252014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 25,700 miles
I had observed a whining sound for several weeks before the incident. It was like a power steering pump without any fluid in it. I tried to listen under the hood to locate the sound but it seemed like it was coming from low in the engine bay on the left side, looking at it. My wife left for work and as she pulled off, the noise was very loud and worse than before. I hoped she was going to be alright and make it to work. She called me just as she was getting to work, when the vehicle ABS and traction control indicators lit up along with a constant alarm chime. She was able to park and call me. I left home to go there. I started the car up when I got there and all was normal until I started to take it to the dealer. On the way, there was an intermittent alarm chime. I rolled down the windows during the ride to listen for noises. As I approached the dealer and parked, the ABS and traction control lamp lit up as well as some chiming. I tried pushing the traction control switch with no result. I tried to roll up the windows but they would not work. As I was getting ready to shut the car off, the engine died. The service tech was right there and asked what happened. I said I had an electrical problem. He checked me in and got the tablet out to read the error log in the car. He said I had an alternator failure. When they checked the car in and were trying to move it, the battery had died and they jumped it to get it going. I asked about another noise and said it was the water pump.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #8

Jul 232014

Challenger 8-cyl

  • 30,000 miles

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

I have a hard time steering my car. I have the electrical hydraulic power steering on my car. The owner manual does not match the car. I have after market wheels on my car and they have been on there for over two years now. Never had any problems until now. The dealership say its my after market rims but a lot of Dodge have after market rims and does not have any problems and have a lot more miles on there car than I have on mines. I think its a issue with the power steering and Dodge will not take owner ship of it.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 232014

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 36,200 miles
I was driving down the road and my instrument panel started going crazy, lights were coming on, the speedometer was jumping up and down, then my radio and air conditioner shut down, then I lost power steering, and about 30 seconds later the car died in traffic on a busy highway. It was towed to the dealership and the next day I was told that first I needed to authorize the purchase for a battery so they could get it to come on, which I did. They called back later and told me my problem was that my ignition switch was stuck in the on position which caused it to fry the ignition switch and my battery. I contacted Dodge and they gave me a case # in which I followed up today and was told they were sorry there is nothing more they can do. They even told me that there have been similar issues and that Dodge was looking into the problem, but for now they couldn't help me. Another thing that really bothered me other than my car flaking out 200 miles after the warranty expired is that I get a letter in the mail the same day from Dodge about extending my warranty.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

problem #6

Oct 012012

Challenger

  • 7,803 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering failed causing the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The failure recurred several times and was taken to the dealer where the front hub bearings and rack and pinion were replaced. The contact also stated that while driving, a snapping sound could be heard and steering control decreased. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and is currently being diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and was in communication with the contact for approximately a year. The failure mileage was 7,803 and the current mileage was 11,653.

- Phoenix City, AL, USA

problem #5

Dec 102012

Challenger 6-cyl

  • 3,200 miles
2012 Dodge Challenger going 10 mph in parking lot, turning right into parking space, car accelerated by itself, and stuck itself at full throttle speed, brakes failed, power steering failed. Car hit and went up on concrete barrier. Bounced back, stalled.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 022012

Challenger

  • 4,500 miles
Squeaking or electric motor whirring noise at low speed maneuvers such as a parking lot or backing out of a garage.. I took my car in for it's 1st oil change and tire rotation mainly because of the low price & I wanted to check on the steering noise too. I also had a clicking noise in the passenger wheel when making a left turn into the carport also which they claimed they never heard anything, even though I was looking around the lot while they were and heard my car running and one of the techs outside the car told the one backing out of the bay "I hear it!" now what sound he heard I don't know, probably the clicking which was much louder. The squeak, in my opinion, is really embarrassing when in a quiet area it sounds like a bushing or suspension that needs lubricating. The squeak was still there but it was nearly inaudible when at my dealership due to busy highway and shop noise. The worse thing about the whole experience was the service writer who was obviously young and inexperienced, I asked about the noise the squeaking noise and his reply was "they all do that." I was like ok, I better walk out before I blow my cool but now I wonder if it is the electric motor and if that is a known annoyance, problem or is it repairable? I've seen other posts about the electric steering motor being loud on similar cars and other non mopar vehicles. I had always thought it was the rubber bushing that many older LX cars had in need of some silicone lube but after looking again myself and much closer with a little help from my dad turning the wheel it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side near the engine black as best I can tell, and that's when I realized it's an electric motor whirring sound, not a rubber bushing or tie rod end.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #3

May 012012

Challenger

  • 3,200 miles
At slow speed I can hear a winding noise, (noise sounds like powering steering fluid is low, even though it is full and no leaks). You can hear the noise at low speed for example backing up and turning the wheel (even if the wheel is only turned a quarter of a turn) or when you have to turn in to a driveway.

- Carson, CA, USA

problem #2

May 192012

Challenger

  • 14 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer would not inform the contact of what caused the failure, but the tow truck driver advised the contact that the tie rod was fractured. The failure and the current mileage was 14.

- Toledo , OH, USA

problem #1

Feb 222012

Challenger

  • 12 miles
The components causing issue are suspension and steering components, such as the struts, strut plates, control arm, bushings and tie rod ends, the axles, rear suspension arms, and the U-joint connectors for the drive shaft, photographs have been taken by criswell Dodge in gaithersburg, md.

- Germantown, MD, USA

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