repaired · 2020 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
2012 Dodge ChallengerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 253 owner complaints about the 2012 Dodge Challenger, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-352 the manufacturer reports only 34% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 23, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Dodge Challenger has problems
253 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
138Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
47Air bags6 crash/fire/injury
25Engine3 crash/fire/injury
19Steering1 crash/fire/injury
17Power train
9Service brakes
8Seat belts
8Suspension
7Structure
3812 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 138 | 5 |
| Air bags | 47 | 6 |
| Engine | 25 | 3 |
| Steering | 19 | 1 |
| Power train | 17 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 1 |
| Suspension | 8 | 2 |
| Structure | 7 | 2 |
| 12 other systems | 38 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2012 Dodge Challenger recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or…
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk. If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 105 electrical system complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles90under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
10 owners mentioned a cost$800median
Middle half: $413 – $1,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Challenger year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Challenger median. How we score
'70'71'74'78'80'81'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Dodge Challenger safety ratings
2012 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Dodge Challenger, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Challenger owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact leased a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with melted…
My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like it’s in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then back into drive and pray that it goes. It doesn’t…
2012 Challenger SRT8 TIPM is this issue and there is no recall for this, while it should due to being a major part of the electrical system that controls all aspects of the safety system. Also now I am being told Dodge does NOT make this part any longer....how is that possible. This IS a recall for…
Own a 2012 Challenger?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.