The Lemon Index2012 Chrysler 200.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 is worse than average by owner complaints: 197 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 145, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 22 to 24 mpg combined. The best Chrysler 200 year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 638 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chrysler 200 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 88K miles on the car (468 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 33K–100K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 45K–95K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 40K–88K miles
Recalls 4
- seats 2017
A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
- seat belts 2016
The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
- electrical 2013
Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Show all 4 recalls
- engine 2011
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chrysler told dealers about
Chrysler sent dealers 171 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clicking/Popping Noise While Turning Wheel This bulletin involves replacing the inner tie rods
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler 200 C FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chrysler 200 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Wipers only work on high. Wiper motor shorted to ground causing internal collateral damage to tipm. Removed and replaced wiper motor. Removed and replaced tipm and updated software.
2012 Chrysler 200 owner · NHTSA complaint 10587879
More owner reports
My light are not working went to the dealer said I need part call (tipm) totally intergrated power module and the cost it 1,204.00.
NHTSA complaint 10691107
Randomly shuts down while driving down the road,with no warning
NHTSA complaint 10807349
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 145; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chrysler 200 year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Chrysler 200 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (23%), electrical (18%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chrysler 200 get?
22 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler 200 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 88,900 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 468 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Chrysler 200 cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Chrysler 200 year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2011 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works