10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,883 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Dodge Charger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #91

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 #90

May 182024

Charger

  • miles
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.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

problem #89

Dec 162018

Charger

  • miles
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

- Crowley , TX, USA

problem #88

Jul 112023

Charger

  • miles

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

I am experiencing the same issue as identified with NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11525511, June 5, 2023. Dodge has a known issue with the wiring for the fuse for the a/c located in the front PDC. Technical Service Bulletin NUMBER: 08-040-14 REV. A. On or around June 2020, I took my 2012 Dodge Charger to my local dealership during the COVID pandemic for an issue with my AC not working. I had the car inspected by numerous mechanics who indicated there was an issue with the fuse for the a/c clutch (#12), They would replace the fuse numerous times, the AC would come on and blow warm air or cool air, but mostly warm. Replacing the fuse numerous of times did not resolve the issue. Neither did replacing all the cooling system and radiator and fan as well. My auto shop had a mechanic who specializes on the computer for cars take a look at my Charger and found technical service bulletins NUMBER: 08-040-14 and NUMBER: 08-040-14 REV. A which directly describes the issue I am experiencing with my vehicle. The mechanic has even placed a small nail in the cavity next to the fuse to hold it in its place and my AC is blowing fine and cold air until that fuse is moved or touched. This also caused issues with the fuse for the steering wheel on the car which the Dodge dealership addressed when I lost steering power on my vehicle. They did NOT repair the issue with NUMBER: 08-040-14 on my vehicle. I paid the $199 diagnostic fee just for the shop to put a new fuse in (which I repeatedly told them was not the issue at that time) and I am still having the same problem. I would like Chrysler/Dodge to contact Armory Dodge and authorize not only a refund for the $199 diagnostic fee I paid to have the issue identified (which they did not) and also authorize the repair needed as instructed on the TSB NUMBER: 08-040-14. The dealership has informed me that they do not even have the repair kit needed Part No. 68235388AA (wire harness kit) and would need to do a workaround to repair the issue.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #87

Mar 152023

Charger

  • miles
At idile, the car shuts off

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #86

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 #85

Jul 282022

Charger

  • miles

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

Having lifter failure on 2012 Dodge Charger srt8 6.4 mds hemi Loud ticking noise coming from passenger side head, can be heard in the engine bay but even more so from passenger side wheel well. Complete loss of power or bucking with any real kind of acceleration. No misfires also still idles smooth. Threw back pressure sensor code P0471. Was told by dodge it was warped exhaust manifold. Had full exhaust system replaced including all sensors just to be safe (3g$). Got car back still ticking but even louder now. Took car to non dealership and the mechanic said immediately that-??s lifter noise. VVT was pulled and checked for metal (it was present). Was told it-??s suggested to replace entire motor and with absolutely no help from dodge. The shop that found the lifter issue said he-??s had multiple 5.7 and 6.4 hemis all in the shop all with the same problem and dodge will do nothing to fix it and I was also told don-??t just throw parts at it cause it will just keep failing and costing money it needs to be replaced completely with better parts to avoid continued problems. It will cost nothing short of 10g$ to do this repair and losing my only means of transportation for however long not to mention it putting my life and others at risk when the car decides to just cut power or turn off completely. I-??ve already limited my driving due to this problem and worries of complete engine Failure and now I won-??t even let my family ride In the vehicle for fear of it shutting down especially at highway speeds. Dodge needs to address this problem ASAP!!

- Olathe , KS, USA

problem #84

May 262022

Charger

  • miles
A licensed mechanic did a diagnostic test and the code P1DB7 came up. The reason for calling the mechanic was after driving my car the next day it didn't want to start, there was recalls already repaired apparently yet the code states that it's a Faulty Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM). there's still an electrical problem TPMS is still not reading the computer system correctly is just not right therefore it's not reading anything correctly. the original control arms w/ball JT including the steering column is all bad and will cause a wreck or someone killed caused of the instability.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #83

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 #82

Sep 072021

Charger

  • 147,957 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, she saw steam exiting the hood. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact stated she continued to see steam exiting from the engine. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine was misfiring and the ignition wire for cylinder #2 to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,957.

- Taylors, SC, USA

problem #81

Jan 142020

Charger

  • 170,000 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 while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning illuminated. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off and back on which failed to resume back to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that a cylinder misfired and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Roseville Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (2805 long lake rd, roseville, mn 55113, (651) 964-6390) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Marion, IA, USA

problem #80

Dec 012018

Charger

  • 71,000 miles
At under 30,000 miles my vehicle started to make odd rustling noise and the RPM needle was bouncing up & down in low rpms and near idle. I brought my vehicle to bayside Chrysler Dodge and they failed to diagnose the issue, informing me there was no issue apparent. At just over 49,000 miles (2 years later) the engine suffered catastrophic failure and had to be dismantled. The same dealership identified that the lifters were seized and the cam was scorched. New lifters, a gasket kit, and a cam were installed, including resurfacing of the valves and new tappets. In 2018 @ around 71,000 miles the vehicle began suffering the same noise - most prominently between 900-1500 rpms. The current dealership has conducted 8 diagnostics and changed out the transmission, transfer case, the front & rear drive shafts, the mds, the water pump, the front arm and other components without any success in repairing the vehicle. The rustling / puttering / clipping sound is very pronounced and easily duplicated when decelerating to 20mph. The needle also bounces in idle despite a new transmission being installed in December 2018 and a new transfer case in August 2019. The current dealership (South shore Chrysler Dodge) has conducted over 8 separate diagnostics by a handful of their mechanics, but to date has never inspected the internal engine components. I have opened up numerous complaints with fca and await corporate response to the shop since April 2019 but they cite covid restrictions have created the inability to further assist. My case manager states fca issues recalls based on customer reports, and lifter failure is uncommon with 5.7L hemi engines - contrary to my research on Charger, challenger, and Ram forums (specifically equipped with 5.7L hemis) telling otherwise. Fca says they can not honor accounts other than NHTSA's. please call me: 646-246-0454 video available

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #79

Nov 222015

Charger

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the engine temperature gauge rose with the overheat message displayed on the instrument panel. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact also stated that while driving the vehicle, the tire pressure monitoring system randomly activated, displaying incorrect information stating that the air pressure was either too high or too low. Additionally, after having an oil change performed, the low oil level warning light illuminated. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 51,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #78

Sep 172020

Charger

  • 104,000 miles
I was driving it and all of the sudden it shut down and I couldn't push the breaks and it started to smell like burnt wiring badly and I was in the middle of the road and ended up having to push it on to the side of the road and then leave it were it died for 2 days until finally I got ahold of a tow truck and now its sitting in my drive way dead.

- El Centro, CA, USA

problem #77

May 112020

Charger

  • 132,000 miles
Car continues to run hot. Repalced the thermostat water pump. Have not driven car in 2 months. As long as the car is not in motionis does not run hot. After putting more fluidin the car, now the drip has become leak. There is a (Z) electrical looking symbol onthe dash in red. City street

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #76

Apr 202020

Charger

  • 135,113 miles
While driving my 2012 Dodge Charger, the check engine light came on. I took it to a mechanic. The mechanic immediately diagnosed the problem as a tune up was needed. So I paid money for that. After getting the car back home, I drove it around the corner to the gas station and the check engine light came on again. I took it then for further diagnosing, went back to my mechanic, only to find out the lifter on the cam shaft is bad. According to my mechanic, and 3 other certified mechanics, and from doing all my research, this problem is extremely common with this particular engine. I am usually alone with a small child to Transport around town. This problem needs to be recalled immediately! I want to remain a faithful customer to Dodge, but I'm sure they are aware of this very common problem. If they don't recall this, I will not ever purchase another Dodge vehicle again. To date, I have owned 4 of them.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #75

Mar 242020

Charger 8-cyl

  • 106,152 miles
I have an engine light took it to the mechanic, the oil sensor was changed 2 times, the check engine light was deleted twice and still come back on, as result I cant use the remote started and even the dealer don't know what to do. Am I the only one with this issue>?

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #74

Jan 032020

Charger

  • 133,535 miles
I was driivng on the interstate and my car shut off by itself. I tried to restart but no luck. I found out that the timing chain broke off. I know theres been recall on the timing chain before.

- Arkadelphia, AR, USA

problem #73

Jan 032020

Charger

  • miles
Engine makes a weird noise when you turn it on and have it running sorta sounds like a truck. Brakes don't work sometimes you gotta step on the break petal all the way in if not you could possibly crash or hit another car parked near by. The control arms get stock a bit when doing a turn on 25mph-30mph

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #72

Nov 062019

Charger

  • 93,000 miles
I was driving my 2012 Dodge Charger when my engine light came on, a few minutes after the engine light started flashing and running rough. I took the car to auto zone for diagnostic which stated that PO303 misfired 3 times. Took it to a mechanic which changed out my spark plug and coil which went away for a few minutes but engine light returned and flashed with same reaction. I returned back to the mechanic which had to dig deeper of what was causing the spark plug and coil to misfire and found it was the lifter. It is my understanding that there are many Dodge Chargers with this same problem and do not feel that we should have to pay for Chrysler/Dodge error/problem and I am pleading that this becomes a recall for Chrysler to own up to their responsibility as they know that it is an issue as they are making sure their newer Chargers don't have this problem.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

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