10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,058 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 Charger drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Dodge Charger:

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

2012 Dodge Charger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #62

May 302024

Charger

  • miles

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

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

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #61

Dec 242023

Charger

  • miles
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.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #60

Apr 152023

Charger

  • miles
My ac was working decent, not how it should be, when I first got the vehicle. Now, the ac just blows warm air, no recirculation for feet setting. I am getting the code P0741 and it doesn't change.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #59

May 092023

Charger

  • miles

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

Service power steering warning comes on, causes my gauge cluster to go blank & dark, I lose A/C, power steering, headlights work intermittently, blinkers & all steering wheel button options stop working, and my transmission will start downshifting shifting erratically. It downshifts so hard I'm afraid I'll lose control of my car. Yesterday I had a message pop up saying it was going into Power Saving Mode. When the power steering warning is on, my A/C will have half the vents blowing cold air, the other half blowing hot heater air. During the winter my heated seats only worked intermittently. All of these issues are related to the past recalls on my car that were supposedly fixed; however, the problems are still occurring. Can somebody please contact me about these recalls and tell me what I should do? Thank you!

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #58

Oct 102022

Charger

  • miles
Oct, 2022 my car did not shift out of park so I googled my car and the problem, So it said it was my monostable shifter modular. I towed it to A Transmission mechanic and they did a full body diagnostic test and I was told all I needed was to buy a new transmission shifter modular and a PCM to get my car running again. I did not have the $ 4,200 for them to fix my car so I had it towed back home. Now as of today my car is not running still because of the transmission shifter modular and PCM I bought brand new Installed myself and for some odd reason the electrical started flickering as if maybe the wiring is wrong or something. Now there was already a recall on the following repairs I've done and yet its documented in the recall system that all recalls were repaired by manufacture In 2017 Alternator Diode Thermal Fatigue, April 2016 TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC SHIFT LEVER, Jan 2016 WHEEL CHOCKS, July 2015 REPROGRAM OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, Dec 2019 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module, Oct 2012 EMISSIONS RECALL M30 POSITION VALVE/INTERNAL TEMP DIAGNOSTICS. So either the recalls weren't repaired as documented or it is a factory defect and my car needs the repairs done again at no charge. When I call to the dealers the management was a female and told me me my car was to old and they longer work on my car I've been told that several times. I also have all receipts for repairs and you will see that its the same issue as the recall that was apparently repaired.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #57

Dec 012022

Charger

  • miles
Vehicle will shift into Neutral while driving while the gear shift is still in Drive. This happens multiple times throughout the week with speeds varying from 35-50 mph. I have not noticed if the road condition makes a difference, I have gone downhill, up hill, around corners, etc and it will randomly shift into neutral. I cannot recreate the issue, it just happens at random.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #56

Feb 252022

Charger

  • miles

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

Almost caused a accident because coming to a fast braking my wheels were uncontrollable and swerving.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #55

Dec 232021

Charger

  • miles
service shifter error and powerstwering warning light turned

- Salinas , CA, USA

problem #54

Apr 212020

Charger

  • miles
My 2012 Dodge Charger was bought used and it had been recently repaired and recalls performed on it. (The dealership was nice to point that out to me.) in Dec 2020 Wa. state. I have had nothing but problems with it. About a month later I had smelled smoke. I had my car scanned and it said camshaft needed to be replaced. So I did. It has stalled and seized up without warning. I was only going 40 miles an hour when the steering went hard( could not move or control it) The dashboard went black and I tried to pull it to the shoulder. The engine was still on. I would put the gas on... but it had died. There was one other vehicle on the road at that time following me. He went around just in time. This not only happened once but two times. Since the car was a dodge i went to that dealership. A couple of times telling then the problem. They just wanted to scan the vehicle for $85 PER SCAN. The young man that was helping me keep looking at the computer screen. I asked if I could have a copy of what he was looking at and he said "yes". This sheet of paper was called the VIP Summary report. I was not the VIP the dealership was There was a WARNING MESSAGES in bold print. It read ATTENTION "This vehicle may have had 9 visits, 42 days down and 7 repeat repairs. Service personal should contact management and engage FCA service parts resources ' This was at 5:09pm I left. I noticed a very well dressed man sitting in his car looking at me... HUMM... LEMON LAW PERHAPS

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #53

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 #52

Jun 102020

Charger 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 16V240000 (power train) at salt lake valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2309 state St, salt lake city, ut 84115). The contact stated at start-up after the vehicle was repaired, the auto park disabled message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact was informed that some vehicles repaired under the recall had not received the complete software updates. The software program was not updated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Consumer stated seat belt needs to be replaced.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #51

Dec 172019

Charger

  • 109,919 miles
The contact owns a 2012 doge Charger. After the contact parked the vehicle in the driveway, it began to roll away as the contact exited the vehicle. The contact engaged the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Additionally, while shoveling snow, the vehicle moved backwards while the gear shifter was in park. The contact jumped in the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 109,919.

- Avon, IN, USA

problem #50

Sep 302019

Charger

  • 127,000 miles
Had the air bag recall fixed but yet the air bag light still comes on all the time and and out of no where my car fills like the transmission is bout to go out it jerks when you press on the gas country roads and when stop it idles like it's trying to stall out

- Bessemer, AL, USA

problem #49

Aug 162019

Charger

  • 155,750 miles
Front passenger window will stop when by its self when closing or using automatic closing. Happens when vehicle is parked or in motion. Differential bearings have been wearing down quickly.

- Ceres, CA, USA

problem #48

Mar 152019

Charger

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated, jerked forward, and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque converter "stuck off" (code number: P0741). The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The manufacturer stated that the contact would be provided a rental vehicle and assistance towards the repair cost. The vehicle was taken back to where it was purchased (yucca valley Chrysler center (760-228-1818, located at 57909 29 palms hwy, yucca valley, ca 92284). The dealer kept the vehicle for evaluation. The contact was not called back. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

problem #47

Feb 202019

Charger

  • 78,702 miles
At about 75,000 miles, the vehicle would lose power while I was drivng then surge and lunge forward. At that point my check engine light came on. Scared the daylights out of me. It happened when I was on the 10 freeway coming home. I have taken the vehicle to two mechanics. The torque converter is stuck closed. I was told by both mechanics that I need a new transmission? it's the torque converter. It is a hazard for the car to surge and lunge; can cause a serious accident! how can I need a new transmission when it started @ 72,000 miles. Bad parts. Please review this problem. I need help!!!!! please consider and review. I cant afford a new transmission.!!! it just doesnt seem logical. (xxxxx) 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).

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

problem #46

Feb 212019

Charger

  • 104,400 miles
I have filed a complaint in regards to the issue previously, but new information that mopar issued a campaign to recall the timing chain on over 50K vehicle for this issue but mopar refused to cover my timing chain due to my vehicle had to many miles and I am not the first owner. I find it completely unsafe to have a timing chain snap while driving at any speed. I was attempting to turn on a main street when this issue occured. Please advise if anything further comes. I attached a copy of the previous recall on this issue

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #45

Jan 112019

Charger

  • 95,000 miles
Sealed transmission makes it very difficult to adjust fluid levels that can keep transmission from freezing and locking up. Currently my vehicle has a horrible burning smell coming from the transmission and shifting is becoming irradic with can cause traffic issues. It occurs mostly in town driving after stopping for extended periods of time (street lights). Recently the check engine light came on with the P0208 code.

- Manchester, TN, USA

problem #44

Nov 222018

Charger

  • 107,000 miles
While in motion on a city street, vehicle displayed warning lights and stalled. Was able to pull off into a parking lot where the gear shift was locked in park position. Had vehicle towed to mechanic who advised that the timing chain had locked up. I am aware that there was a customer satisfaction notification sent out by Chrysler, but when I inquired about it at my local dealership they said that my vehicle didn't fall under that notification.

- Benton Harbor, MI, USA

problem #43

Aug 102017

Charger

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 35 mph, there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. The brake pedal was applied with force, but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed on the side of the road. The driver sustained injuries to the head, back, arm, chest, and was unconscious. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance for medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy and was uncertain as to which failure may or may not have been related to the collision. The dealer (ganas auto southgate, 4730 Firestone blvd, southgate, ca 90280, 323-364-5004) failed to inform the contact, at the time of purchase, that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V043000 (structure), 16V240000 (power train), 15V467000 (air bags and seat belts), and 16V352000 (air bags). The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and the crash. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

- South Gate, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?