2012 Dodge CHALLENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
253 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 189 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 131 of 253 complaints (51.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 115 | 45.5% |
| Braking behavior | 32 | 12.6% |
| Steering behavior | 32 | 12.6% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 131 |
| Air Bags | 47 |
| Engine | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Steering | 19 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 8 |
Electrical System: 131; Air Bags: 47; Engine: 25; Unknown Or Other: 20; Steering: 19; Power Train: 17; Service Brakes: 9; Seat Belts: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 34 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 48 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 54 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 34; 25,000 to 49,999: 48; 50,000 to 74,999: 54; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 9
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (54). 64 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2011: 1; 2012: 10; 2013: 12; 2014: 35; 2015: 46; 2016: 27; 2017: 40; 2018: 29; 2019: 26; 2020: 11; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 4; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 115 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10458059 · 2012-05-10 (May 10, 2012)
I WAS REARENDED, (AT 4200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE), WHILE AT A DEAD STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BY A FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING AT 45 MPH PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER HAULING APPROXIMATELY 6000 - 7000 POUNDS WHICH HIT MY 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER IN THE RIGHT REAREND PUSHING ME INTO THE BACK END OF A NISSAN ALTIMA, AND NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY CHALLENGER. I HAD A PRIOR PROBLEM WITH THE CHALLENGER AT APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHERE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER TO FIX THE PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481128 · 2012-10-19 (October 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER FROM DIM TO MAXIMUM ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,028. ....UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10487955 · 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)
2012 DODGE CHALLENGER GOING 10 MPH IN PARKING LOT, TURNING RIGHT INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, AND STUCK ITSELF AT FULL THROTTLE SPEED, BRAKES FAILED, POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR HIT AND WENT UP ON CONCRETE BARRIER. BOUNCED BACK, STALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10487955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456526 · 2012-04-26 (April 26, 2012)
THE COMPONENTS CAUSING ISSUE ARE SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE STRUTS, STRUT PLATES, CONTROL ARM, BUSHINGS AND TIE ROD ENDS, THE AXLES, REAR SUSPENSION ARMS, AND THE U-JOINT CONNECTORS FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT, PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY CRISWELL DODGE IN GAITHERSBURG, MD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 12 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456526 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470069 · 2012-08-10 (August 10, 2012)
AT SLOW SPEED I CAN HEAR A WINDING NOISE, (NOISE SOUNDS LIKE POWERING STEERING FLUID IS LOW, EVEN THOUGH IT IS FULL AND NO LEAKS). YOU CAN HEAR THE NOISE AT LOW SPEED FOR EXAMPLE BACKING UP AND TURNING THE WHEEL (EVEN IF THE WHEEL IS ONLY TURNED A QUARTER OF A TURN) OR WHEN YOU HAVE TO TURN IN TO A DRIVEWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10631581 · 2014-09-08 (September 8, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10443598 · 2012-01-12 (January 12, 2012)
SKIP SHIFT. THIS FEATURE IS ALREADY THE CAUSE OF SEVERAL NEAR MISSES OF ME BEING REAR-ENDED BECAUSE FROM A STOP, I AM UNEXPECTEDLY PREVENTED FROM SHIFTING FROM FIRST INTO 2ND GEAR TO MAINTAIN EXPECTED ACCELERATION IN TRAFFIC. I REALIZE WHAT THE SKIP SHIFT IS INTENDED FOR BUT IN THE REAL WORLD OF TRAFFIC, THE SKIP SHIFT FEATURE IS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN EVER ANYONE IS BEHIND ME AT A STOP OR AT A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, WHEN ITS TIME TO GO, THE SKIP SHIFT FEATURE PUTS ME AT RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED EVERY TIME IT ENGAGES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10443598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480681 · 2012-10-16 (October 16, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A DISTANCE AND STOP FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101764 · 2018-06-13 (June 13, 2018)
FUEL LEAK: AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP LEAKS WHEN OVER 14 GALLONS IN TANK. CAUSING FIRE TO ROAD, NOT VEHICLE. 62,000 MI WHEN LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED. *DT CONSUMER STATED SAW CRACKS IN THE FIBERGLASS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, WIRE WAS EXPOSED. UPDATED 12/6/18*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101764 at NHTSA ↗