The Lemon Index2012 Dodge Charger.
The 2012 Dodge Charger is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 278 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 311, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 14 recalls, and it gets 17 to 23 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 648 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Charger 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 44K to 86K miles on the car (487 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 46K–84K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 39K–90K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 50K–107K miles
Recalls 14
- 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 14 recalls
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to …
- body structure 2016
When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
- airbags 2015
In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may …
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- lights 2014
In the affected vehicles, a sub-harness for the headlights may overheat and cause the low beam headlights to go out.
- 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.
- service brakes, air 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES.
- brakes 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 and 2012 DODGE CHARGER POLICE VEHICLES.
- tires 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 DODGE CHARGER SRT8 AND THE CHRYSLER 300 SRT8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR V…
- 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 Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ?
- 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
- ClosedVehicle rollaway, engine on2016
- ClosedAlternator failure2014
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 Charger 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Customer stated 2012 Dodge Charger , car will not start. Could not get correct milage test starting. The vehicle was repaired.
2012 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10702610
More owner reports
The car shut down on the highway. All the electical went out. No brakes and no stirring. While in motion. And just took it in for a recall on the safty system a week before.
NHTSA complaint 10788463
We have had our air bag light come on again and again; even though I have taken it in monthly for the same thing. The last time was last month for the recall; but now it's back on again.
NHTSA complaint 10515108
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Dodge Charger reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 311; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2012 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (63%), airbags (13%) and lights (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?
14 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 Charger get?
17 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Dodge Charger safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 86,000 miles. The middle report was at 64,000 miles, from 487 complaints.
Does the 2012 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger 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