10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,493 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Dodge Challenger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Aug 172022

Challenger

  • miles

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

Car randomly stalls while driving. Does NOT show CHECK ENGINE light, nor have any codes been recorded as checked by dealer obd reader. 2 Dodge Dealerships unable to diagnose because of no codes. Both dealerships claim they have not heard of this problem before I appeared. I saw in online forums that other owners have been dealing with this issue since at least 2011, so it appears the manufacturer is ducking their responsibility.

- Melba, ID, USA

problem #22

May 062021

Challenger 8-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge challenger. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #21

Apr 302021

Challenger

  • 130,000 miles
My car keeps going from 60 or however fast I'm driving to smoking tires and my car is halted causing me to almost wreck way too many times.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #20

Aug 252020

Challenger

  • 160,903 miles

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

Left cylinder head was replaced under manufacturer's warranty at 144, xxx Oct 18 2018. Cylinder head was replaced again under the same warranty at 160xxx September 2020. After repair dealer stated that the right head had a leak and needed to be diagnosed. Chrysler authorizes 9 hours of service labor for diagnosis under extended warranty X56. The warranty also authorizes replacement of the right head cover and gasket if required. When I brought up this fine print to the dealer I was told by the dealer that Chrysler would not cover anything else. It took calling for over a month straight for them to finally authorize the warranty work based on the updated 2014 bulletin that added the right side to the warranty.I was told I had to pay out of pocket 2000$ to diagnose the problem. Even though it was covered under warranty they told me it wasnt. I agreed to pay and they refused to take the car in. I asked them to put it in writing that they wouldn't cover it under warranty and I was told I was not welcome there. I am a disabled army veteran and I use driving as my therapy. My car has been non op for over a month now. Now that Chrysler has verified everything I have said the whole time it's too late because now the dealerships around town wont touch the car based on the belief Chrysler wont cover it. Chrysler said to me tons of times that I was out of warranty. It took them finding the updated bulletin. I dont blame the dealerships I blame Chrysler. How can you replace one head at 144K and expect the old head to work well with it. The left head is a way to get people in the shop for a free left side head that causes more damage. It's like putting an old tire with a new one. There should be a recall asking for replacement of both heads. Chrysler claimed it doesn't cause the vehicles to fail and it does like mine did on the freeway while driving

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #19

Jul 152019

Challenger

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the air bag indicator remained illuminated, the emergency brake was defective, and the vehicle overheated due to an antifreeze leak in the radiator. The contact took the vehicle to premier Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat (13000 I-10 service rd, new orleans, la 70128) where the emergency brake was repaired and the air bag indicator was turned off. The contact attempted to have the leak repaired, but was informed that his warranty would not be honored. After the air bag indicator was turned off, it continuously illuminated again. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #18

Aug 102019

Challenger

  • 14,000 miles
Defective water pump had to be replaced 14,000 miles.

- Winslow, ME, USA

problem #17

Aug 162019

Challenger

  • 141,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that smoke was detected coming from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and flames were detected coming from under the hood. A police report was not filed but a fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The vehicle was towed to a recovery tow lot waiting to be diagnosed by the vehicles insurance company. The vehicle was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

- Danville, VA, USA

problem #16

Mar 182019

Challenger 8-cyl

  • 50,033 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. When the vehicle was started, a knocking sound emerged from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lifters were faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,033. Vonsumer stated the car ended up going to grand junction Dodge dealership for diagnose. The Dodge Corp was notified and stated they were looking write it. It cost me $4,000 in repairs mechaics locked motor up numerous times because they refused to call gaundain interlock for override code. Took four months to get car back due to not being able to obtain parts and then Dodge dealership stating my ABS module was also bad and then they fried the main ECM in my car which they had to replace. Jackary gaurmen (xxx)xxx-xxxx is the person who was the rep for Dodge on this job. Dodge Corp is supposed to be looking into recall. There were a total of 5 Dodge with the lifter issue in gj. Alone. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #15

Mar 212015

Challenger

  • miles
My door latch and alternator that about it and my struts

- Rapid City, SD, 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

Jan 092018

Challenger

  • 55,700 miles

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

This is in regard to the Dodge T36 alternator recall. After the recall was announced, my car was affected. I want to add another report. In mid 2017, a higher pitch noise was coming from the engine. 2 to 3 months later, I took the car to my dealer who affirmed the noise was the sound of the alternator charging. The recall replacement part was not available. As long as I was operational, the advice was to wait. 2 months after the dealer visit, while driving one morning, my alternator failed, the battery was dead, and my engine died. When I left out that morning, a couple of the idiot lights came on which was weird. Then 15 minutes later, while in traffic on a busy road, the radio was glitching, many of the warning lights came on, power steering went out. I was able to move over to the right lane, though nearly sideswiping another vehicle in the process. The engine then just ceased. I was able to coast to a stop in a safe spot. No power whatsoever. Car towed to dealer. Dealer claimed battery, which was the original, did not die as a result of the alternator failure. To me, the timing says otherwise. If the battery was on its way out, this sure finished it off. Dealer installed a new battery and a replacement alternator - but this was the existing non-replacement alternator stock. Once the recall replacement part becomes available, whenever that will be, I will need to take the car in again to have that put in if it's a replacement part to the alternator. Otherwise, if it's a whole alternator unit, then they will swap out the existing stock new one I received. Dealer/mfr did not cover the cost of the new battery. They did replace the alternator at no cost.

- Fulton, MD, USA

problem #12

Jul 192017

Challenger

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a lack of power and misfired. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to chapman Dodge, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #11

Jan 172017

Challenger

  • 118,572 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the lights on the instrument panel illuminated while the engine stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, brennan Dodge 1371 North service road East ruston, la 71270 where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and other various engine cylinders failed. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and tappet hydraulic failed and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under PO1 failure via the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 118,572.

- Ruston, LA, USA

problem #10

Feb 112017

Challenger

  • 101,450 miles
I received a recall notice regarding timing chain, casing, and guide I took vehicle in to dealership to have recall performed and after I picked up my vehicle 2 weeks later my engine slung a rod through my engine block when vehicle excellerated to 70 miles per hour now Chrysler as well as dealership is refusing to repair my vehicle when the recall clearly state if the job is not performed correctly this could take place I was travelling on the highway when it blew with vehicles coming on both sides it was a two lane highway 278

- Fairfield, AL, USA

problem #9

Sep 232016

Challenger

  • 23,993 miles
Took my car in for oil change they said there was a recall on the timing chain and belt so they replaced it the next morning my battery light, ABS, traction control light came on by the time I got to work it would not restart. Battery would not charge became extremely hot it melted the jumper cable handles.no power what so ever...2 service men came to tow me and they both stated it was very unusual it would not charge at all... very discouraged since it only has 23,000 miles... I was stranded on a city street for 4 hours waiting ist person locksmith/battery charger couldnt jump it so he left then called for a tow truck...

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #8

Jul 082016

Challenger

  • 15,576 miles
I own a 2012 Dodge Challenger srt 8. Chrysler issued 2 tsbs in 2014 about the engine timing chain guide possibly fracturing, causing the timing chain to break, and resulting in severe engine damage. Chrysler will pay for the engine damage if the chain breaks if it occurs under warranty. But, they will not pay to replace the guide to prevent the chain from breaking. These two tsbs, numbers csn-P-01 and 09-po-11-82, affect 2009 ' 2012 Chrysler 300S, and Dodge chargers and Challengers. The second tsb says it affects a "numerous amount of vehicles'. a Dodge service advisor advised the out-of-pocket cost to replace the guide is around $2000. My contention is that this issue should be a safety recall, not a tsb. The reason is that when the timing chain breaks, the vehicle is going to stall. This could very easily result in a serious crash if the vehicle stalls in the second or third lane of a busy 4 lane interstate during rush hour. The driver may not be able to get the vehicle over to either the left or right shoulder before the vehicle stops, and it would be dangerous for the driver to try to run from the vehicle to a shoulder. In 2015, Chrysler issued a recall on certain 2011 ' 2014 Chrysler vehicles because the alternator may suddenly fail. It states, 'if the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.' So, if Chrysler issued a recall because an alternator may fail, causing the vehicle to stall, and increasing the risk of a crash, I don't understand why the problem with the timing chain breaking due to a guide that may fracture, which would also cause the vehicle to stall, has resulted in only tsbs being issued and not a safety recall. The only reason I can think of is the cost of to the manufacturer to reimburse the dealerships for replacing an alternator vs. Replacing a timing chain guide consumer requested that complaint be removed from the system. Updated 07/22/16

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #7

Mar 302016

Challenger

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine timing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V118000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Lathonia, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 022013

Challenger

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the push start feature did not function and the brakes seized. The ABS, the traction control, and the check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician declined to diagnose the vehicle. The contact mentioned that prior to the failure, the vehicle had the alternator replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 092015

Challenger

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The failure recurred on one other occasion. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Clarksdale , GA, USA

problem #4

Sep 162014

Challenger

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. While driving 45 mph, all the instrument panel lights illuminated. In addition, the gauges failed to function and the rpms increased excessively when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V634000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

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