Chrysler 200 problems
638 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 45 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–60,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Started with the ABS and traction control lights coming on, my cruise control stopped coming on and a week later I pulled out of the bank and stopped alone side of the curb and the car just shut off, no restarting at all nothing happens, the right info panel said no bus, its at…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving various speeds, the contact noticed that the heater failed to function on the front passenger side vent. The failure prevented the windows from defrosting in inclement weather. The failure occurred without warning. The…
Service shift linkage message came on, what my dealer found, prndl display circuit shorted to ground replaced electronic shift module and reprogramed. @ a cost of 582.98
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200 convertible. While turning the heat on in the vehicle. The passenger side blew cool air instead of hot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 638 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chrysler 200 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Chrysler 200?
The 2012 Chrysler 200 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 45 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–60,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 118 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,161 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,161 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chrysler 200 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chrysler 200?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 638 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.