Home › Dodge › Challenger › 2012
2012 Dodge Challenger: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Challenger[1]. The electrical system is the biggest group, with 138 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 138 complaints[2]. Owners describe lights that flicker or dim, warning lights that come on again after repairs, and power windows that do not move the way they should.
- Air Bags. 47 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bag warning lights that keep returning and a few crashes where the bags or belts did not work as expected. Some also write about waiting on parts for a repair.
- Engine. 25 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car stalling, losing power or filling with smoke, often with many dash lights coming on at once.
- Unknown Or Other. 20 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a clear component group.
- Steering. 19 complaints[8]. Owners describe whining or squeaking noises when turning at low speed. Some also describe steering that failed or a part that broke while driving.
- Power Train. 17 complaints[9].
- Brakes. 10 complaints[10].
- Suspension. 8 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Challenger is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V018), January 2019. About 1,413,222 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V021), January 2018. About 328,177 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator (17V435), July 2017. About 442,214 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V352), May 2016. About 4,648,270 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator (14V634), October 2014. About 435,081 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Air Bags (13V118), April 2013. About 119,497 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive[18] | 14 / 23 / 17 | $4,850 |
| Challenger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive[19] | 15 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 |
| Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive[20] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $4,000 |
| Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive[21] | 14 / 23 / 17 | $4,850 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR RWD[22] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 11.1% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 10 | 3 |
| 2009 | 133 | 7 |
| 2010 | 299 | 7 |
| 2011 | 193 | 6 |
| 2012 | 253 | 6 |
| 2013 | 179 | 5 |
| 2014 | 149 | 4 |
| 2015 | 126 | 5 |
| 2016 | 78 | 1 |
| 2017 | 49 | 3 |
| 2018 | 75 | 3 |
| 2019 | 59 | 3 |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 |
| 2021 | 19 | 2 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 |
| 2023 | 43 | 2 |
NHTSA's counts for the Challenger show 253 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 1 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (9) and the most are for 2010 (299)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Challenger?
The 2012 Challenger has a long list of owner complaints, and the electrical system stands out as the biggest group[2]. Air bag reports are the second largest group and include some crash stories[5]. Fire is mentioned in 8 complaints and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. If you are shopping for one, check the recall section on this page and ask whether the electrical and air bag work was done.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
- Electrical complaints are the biggest group[2]. Air bags[5] and engine[6] come next in the owner reports.
- Does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year figures list 6 recalls[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
- How many complaints are there for the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
- NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file[1].
- Is the 2012 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- Owner reports are mixed. The electrical system is the biggest complaint group[2]. See the sections on this page for recalls and the by-year comparison.
- What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Challenger get?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Dodge Challenger
Compare all model years of the Dodge Challenger
Other Dodge models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Dodge Challenger (11 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 138 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Challenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Challenger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 47 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,578). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,850). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,605). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V021, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V435, filed July 10, 2017: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V634, filed October 8, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V118, filed April 3, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,000. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Challenger with 5.7L 8-cylinder: rated 370 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Dodge Challenger with 6.4L 8-cylinder: rated 470 hp. www.epa.gov