2012 Dodge Challenger Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

25Engine complaints

9.9%Of all 253 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM131 · 51.8%

AIR BAGS47 · 18.6%

ENGINE25 · 9.9%

Unspecified / other20 · 7.9%

STEERING19 · 7.5%

Share of the 253 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Dodge Challenger overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10852936 — filed 04/01/2016

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10839441 — filed 03/02/2016

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10704736 — filed 04/09/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Dodge Challenger: 25 of 253 complaints on file (9.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have in total?

253 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 11 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.