The Lemon Index2012 Dodge Challenger.
The 2012 Dodge Challenger is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 104 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 205, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 17 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Challenger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 253 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Challenger 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 34K to 80K miles on the car (188 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 39K–75K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 12K–70K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 41K–120K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2017
The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- airbags 2013
The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
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 Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 166 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Part Description: Switch-Padedle Down Audio LT
- 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
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The window motor keeps running and killing the battery. From what I've found out, this is a common problem. Also, people can see this as an opportunity to easily reach into the car.
2012 Dodge Challenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10732592
More owner reports
I have a 2012 Dodge Challenger and my driver side and passenger side smart windows be going up and down on it's own while the car is off and parked with the alarm on.
NHTSA complaint 10789488
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Challenger reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 205; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Challenger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Challenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (59%), airbags (17%) and steering (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Dodge Challenger get?
17 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Challenger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 34,300 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 188 complaints.
Does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Challenger cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Dodge Challenger have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Challenger year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
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