CarModelProblems.com

2012 Dodge Charger Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 5.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
648Complaints
14Recalls
20Crashes
49Fires
16Injured
0Deaths

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

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (50.2% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Electrical System complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System325 · 50.2%RecalledRecall 17V435000 · Recall 14V634000
Air Bags109 · 16.8%RecalledRecall 19V018000 · Recall 18V021000 · Recall 16V352000 · Recall 15V467000 · Recall 13V118000
Engine94 · 14.5%RecalledRecall 11V487000
Power Train64 · 9.9%RecalledRecall 16V240000
Steering53 · 8.2%No official action
Exterior Lighting51 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 14V101000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM325 · 50.2%
AIR BAGS109 · 16.8%
ENGINE94 · 14.5%
POWER TRAIN64 · 9.9%
STEERING53 · 8.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING51 · 7.9%
SERVICE BRAKES43 · 6.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)35 · 5.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR33 · 5.1%
Unspecified / other33 · 5.1%

Percentages are the share of the 648 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 2019 · reported 01/15/2019

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 2017 · reported 07/10/2017

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 14V101000 · 2014 · reported 03/04/2014

Loss of headlights reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 16V240000 · 2016 · reported 04/25/2016

Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 2016 · reported 05/24/2016

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure

NHTSA campaign 16V043000 · 2016 · reported 01/28/2016

A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:side/window

NHTSA campaign 15V467000 · 2015 · reported 07/27/2015

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 13V118000 · 2013 · reported 04/03/2013

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 12V042000 · 2012 · reported 02/07/2012

THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY AND/OR BRAKING ABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

NHTSA campaign 12V004000 · 2012 · reported 01/06/2012

UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 2011 · reported 09/29/2011

CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 2014 · reported 10/08/2014

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 12V197000 · 2012 · reported 05/02/2012

THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE IN RUSH HOUR, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND MY ABS AND…”NHTSA complaint 10649478 — filed 10/23/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“HELLO. YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET 35 MPH AND I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE BATTERY SAVER MODE. I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS…”NHTSA complaint 10649284 — filed 10/22/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT AND TIRE ROTATION. AFTER RECEIVING IT BACK I NOTICED A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE…”NHTSA complaint 10649077 — filed 10/21/2014 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Complaint trend by year filed

6201242178201418112020161696520185755202013192022211520241242026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Charger?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 325 of 648 NHTSA complaints (50.2%), followed by air bags (109), engine (94), power train (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?

648 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 20 involved a crash, 49 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Dodge Charger have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V018000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Dodge Charger's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

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.