NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 9 recalls, 647 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Dodge Charger.
18–23 mpg combined
10.2–13.1 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern on the 2012 Dodge Charger centers on the electrical system, which draws far more reports than any other category. Owners frequently describe loss of power while driving, with the vehicle unexpectedly dropping into neutral, a symptom that appears repeatedly and often accompanies radio or accessory failures. A recurring and specific concern is the ABS module: multiple owners report the ABS, traction control, and brake warning lights illuminating together, with the module diagnosed as faulty. The part is discontinued with no direct replacement, leaving some owners without functional ABS. Airbag warning lights are the second most-reported pattern, with the dashboard indicator staying on and, in several accounts, the underlying issue requiring paid repairs after the factory warranty expired. Engine complaints are a distant third, with scattered reports of hard starting, rough running, and fuel smell on startup.
647
Total Complaints
20
Crash-Related
49
Fire-Related
14
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Dodge Charger has 9 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury or death.
Two other airbag concerns are present as well. Side impact sensors can be overly sensitive, causing the side curtain airbags, seat airbags, and seatbelt pretensioners to fire without a crash, which raises the risk of injury or loss of control. On the electrical side, the alternator can fail without warning, stalling the vehicle, and in some cases may short circuit and start a fire. There is also a transmission concern: the gear selector can appear to be in Park when it is not, and the vehicle may roll when the driver exits, creating a risk of being struck. Two separate issues can cause the low-beam headlights to go out, one from an overheating bulb harness connector and another from an overheating wiring sub-harness, both reducing visibility at night. On certain police-package vehicles, an overheated power distribution center can also knock out anti-lock brakes and stability control. Finally, using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels can cause the body sill to give way and the car to drop unexpectedly.
At a glance
What can fail
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The driver's frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture or explode.
What the fix does
The passenger frontal air bag inflator will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The alternator may suddenly fail in vehicles with electro-hydraulic power steering, 5.7L or 3.6L engines, and 160, 180, or 220 amp alternators.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your alternator and replace it if necessary at no charge, based on the part number.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may fail or deploy unexpectedly, potentially injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle may not alert the driver when the door opens while the transmission is not in PARK, potentially allowing the driver to exit while the vehicle is in gear.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle software to reduce the risk of unintended vehicle movement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle's body-side sill may collapse when lifting the car with the supplied tire jack if wheels are not blocked, causing the jack to fail and the vehicle to drop.
What the fix does
Dealers will provide wheel chocks and instructions for their proper use at no cost to prevent sill collapse during jacking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side impact sensors are calibrated too sensitively, which can cause side curtain air bags, seat air bags, and seat belt pre-tensioners to deploy unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Occupant Restraint Control module to correct the sensor calibration at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlight wiring harness can overheat, causing the low beam headlights to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the headlight wiring harnesses, bulbs, or complete headlight assemblies as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Low beam headlamps may fail due to an overheated bulb harness connector. Some vehicles may lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse within the power distribution center.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.