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 the Chrysler dealer ship now and they can find nothing wrong with it at all, even though it wont come on.
2012 Chrysler 200 electrical problems
moderate 118 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
118
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 118 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Chrysler 200, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 118 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Chrysler 200 in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Chrysler 200 has serious electrical problems, especially with the TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) which can cause sudden engine stall with no warning—losing power steering and brakes while driving. Other owners report fires, random electrical failures, and faulty airbag systems; many critical repairs cost $1000+ and aren't covered under recall. Avoid this model unless you're prepared for expensive repairs and potential safety hazards on the road.
The 2012 Chrysler 200 electrical system is a problem-filled component according to these complaints. The most serious issue is TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) failure, where the vehicle stalls unexpectedly while driving with complete loss of power steering and brakes—a genuine hazard. These failures happen at random mileages from under 30,000 to over 113,000 miles, and replacement costs run $1000–$1800. Owners report replacing the same TIPM multiple times on one vehicle.
Battery and alternator failures are also common, with alternators sometimes shorting and nearly catching fire. Glitchy relays cause wipers, horn, locks, and lights to activate without driver input, sometimes draining the battery. Heater cores clog from debris, spraying foul-smelling fumes through vents strong enough to send one owner to the ER. Water leaks into the cabin from blocked windshield drains, causing mold and rust.
Starting and stalling problems plague the entire system—the car won't start, starts sporadically, or stalls while driving. Engine throttle control misfires, losing power or accelerating on its own. Airbag warning lights stay on with no fix, and tail lights stay illuminated even when the car is off. One vehicle caught fire while parked in a garage. Multiple owners note Chrysler is aware of these defects but declines recalls on many VINs.
Same Chrysler 200 electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failure
The TIPM is a critical electrical control module that manages fuel pump, ignition, fuel injectors, and other engine functions. When it fails, the vehicle can stall without warning while driving, lose power steering and brakes, and become impossible to restart. Owners report multiple replacement attempts on the same vehicle with recurring failures.
When: Mileage ranges from 29,582 to 113,000 miles; failures occur at unpredictable intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving with no warning; Loss of engine power, power steering, and brake function; Complete electrical shutdown; Loss of headlights, taillights, and dashboard lights; Check engine light illumination; Inability to restart vehicle; Horn honks randomly without activation; Windows and locks malfunction; Fuel pump continues running or shuts off; Airbags fail to deploy or deploy randomly
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light, ASD (Automatic Shutdown) fuse circuit codes, TIPM malfunction codes
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM replacement costs $1000–$1800 per owner reports; some replacements covered under extended warranty (extended from 1 to 2 years at one dealer); repeated failures on same vehicle requiring multiple replacements
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #N38 issued for active head restraints (software reprogramming of TIPM performed during that recall, though not specifically addressing TIPM hardware failure); software patches mentioned by owners; some Chrysler models (300, other brands) were recalled for TIPM failure but 200 not included in major recalls; Chrysler refused to help owners without recall coverage; parts availability delays on Campaign 14V634000 and 17V435000
Electrical System Failure – Battery and Alternator Malfunction
Battery and alternator failures cause rapid loss of all electrical power while driving. Owners report alternators shorting and burning out batteries, with some alternators catching fire. Multiple replacements sometimes occur on the same vehicle.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; one failure at 59,914 miles; another involved extended replacement attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light illuminates; Electrical systems progressively fail (radio, ABS, windows, AC shut off); Engine fails to accelerate or shift gears; Braking and steering become compromised; Vehicle stalls and coasts to stop; Burning smell from alternator area; Alternator shorts out; Battery rapidly drains
Codes mentioned: Battery warning light, Alternator failure codes
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and battery replacement costs approximately $1100 (before dealer discount); one dealer warned customer they had to unhook alternator to prevent fire
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 14V634000 (Electrical System) – initially VIN not included, later included after second failure; Campaign 17V435000 (Electrical System) – parts not available; manufacturer stated no coverage for some vehicles
Defective Glove Compartment Light Switch and Power Outlet Failures
Faulty glove box light switch remains on continuously, draining the battery over time. Front power outlets (12V) fail repeatedly and blow fuses.
When: Early in ownership; one case at approximately 4 months (November 2013 on vehicle purchased July 2014)
Symptoms owners cite: Front power outlet not operating; Power outlet fuse blown; Glove compartment light remains on when door closed; Battery drained despite good battery health
Repairs/costs cited: Outlet fuse replaced; glove compartment light switch identified as defective and diagnosed as cause; battery replaced multiple times before root cause identified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notice N38 received; multi-point inspections performed with no problems detected until defective switch identified
Electrical Component Relay and Switch Malfunctions
Random activation of electrical components including wipers, horn, locks, and lights occurring without driver input, sometimes while vehicle is parked and off. Door ajar warning light illuminates when doors are closed.
When: Throughout ownership; one case at 3,875 miles (very early failure); 46,000 miles another case; continuous issues from November 2016 onward in another
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers activate without engagement; Horn sounds randomly at any time; Door locks and windows malfunction; Power windows operate intermittently; Doors lock/unlock themselves; Door ajar warning light false illumination; Rear tail light remains on even when vehicle off; Headlights intermittently inoperable; Variable speed wiper control inoperable; Turn signals cause wipers to engage
Repairs/costs cited: Electrical module replaced at dealer in one case but failure persisted; rear light had to be physically unplugged by owner as temporary fix; one owner manually removed and plugged light to prevent battery drain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Air bag recall (unspecified) performed at one dealer; Chrysler stated they had no information on issue resolution; dealer rewired vehicle in one case
Engine Stalling and Starting Failures
Vehicle refuses to start or starts inconsistently; engine stalls at idle or while driving. Starter and battery replaced multiple times with no resolution. Diagnostic codes often show no problem.
When: Multiple instances over ownership period; one case involved four occurrences in less than two months (August–October 2012); another case April 2022 onward
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle refuses to start; Difficulty starting intermittently; Engine stalls while driving at various speeds; No clicking or engine cranking when turning key; Starter cranks but engine won't turn over; Stalling at idle; Stalling while slowing down or making turns
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft position sensor malfunction codes, ASD (Automatic Shutdown) circuit codes, Starter control circuit codes
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced multiple times; starter replaced (April 2022); oil cleaned from fuel injectors ($715); Crankshaft position sensor replaced; diagnostics sometimes show no problem despite symptoms
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update performed at dealership on first instance; no recall issued; dealership performed multiple inspections with no issues found
Heater Core and Climate Control Failures
Heater core blockage causing loss of heat on one side of vehicle, defroster malfunction, and dangerous fume emissions from HVAC vents. Mold and bacteria buildup from blocked drain tubes cause antifreeze contamination.
When: Issues reported 2013 onward; one case acute in 2017 requiring emergency room visit
Symptoms owners cite: No heat from front passenger side vents; Defroster fails to work on passenger side; Passenger side window cannot defrost while driving; Heater blows hot air on driver side, cold air on passenger side regardless of setting; Blower at low settings blows hot air regardless of temperature selection; Foul smell of fumes through air vents; Smell so strong it causes respiratory distress, eye burning, requires emergency room visit; Mold and bacteria visible in heater core area; Antifreeze appears thick like glue; Water floods through heater core into passenger area; Antifreeze boils when engine turned on
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core replacement required; thermostat replacement needed; valve gaskets replacement mentioned; radiator flush performed but did not resolve issue; repair cost estimated over $500 at dealer; owner forced to wear face mask to prevent breathing fumes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall mentioned related to THAC 7 heating system with debris clogging drain; dealers charge for repair and claim maintenance issue rather than defect; one dealer deferred to owner's mechanic for guidance
Throttle Control and Engine Power Loss
Vehicle experiences uncontrolled acceleration or severe power loss, with electronic throttle control warning light illumination. Engine stalls intermittently with reduced acceleration capability.
When: Ongoing from at least November 2016; reported in 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates on its own under normal driving conditions; Engine stalls and loses steering control; Electronic throttle control warning light illuminates and blinks; Engine light illuminates; Traction control light activates; Severe reduction in acceleration (only 20% of normal power); Intermittent power thrust followed by engine failure; Issue persists for several miles then disappears; Problem repeats randomly; Multiple codes when scanned
Codes mentioned: Electronic throttle control codes, Engine codes, Traction control codes, Multiple unidentifiable codes from some scans
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs successful; independent shops unable to diagnose when plugging in; issue clears during diagnostics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated they have no knowledge of the problem; independent repair shops claim vehicle is fine when scanned; no software patch provided
Turn Signal and Lighting Circuit Failures
Turn signals malfunction with rapid clicking or lights staying illuminated continuously, preventing proper signaling. Tail lights remain on even when vehicle is off, draining battery.
When: One case January 2020; ongoing issues reported
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal rapidly clicks and flashes on dash after initial normal flashes; Turn signal not recognized by other drivers; Rear tail light steadily illuminated even with lights off and car parked; Tail light cannot be turned off; Rear signal unable to flash; All dash lights, stereo, center console flicker off and on when turn signal engaged; Lights go completely off on occasion when turn signal engaged; Lights only come back on when turn signal disengaged; Intermittent headlight operation at night
Repairs/costs cited: Owner physically unplugged rear light to prevent battery drain and had to manually plug it in before driving; mechanic unable to identify root cause; battery and alternator tested with no problems found
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler unable to provide any help or information
Fire and Fuel System Hazard
Vehicle caught fire while parked in garage, resulting in total loss of house and contents. Owner reported known problems with gas tank and ignition systems for 2012 model year. This represents an extreme safety hazard.
When: November 8, 2015 (vehicle manufactured between March–November 2012)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire in garage without warning; Loud explosion preceding fire; Heavy smoke from garage
Repairs/costs cited: Complete vehicle loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler informed owner of known problems with gas tank and ignition systems for 2012 models built March–November 2012, but stated no recall for this particular vehicle; refused assistance without recall coverage
Occupant Restraint Module (ORC) and Airbag Warning Light Failures
Airbag warning light remains illuminated on dashboard, indicating potential airbag deployment failure. Vehicle fails state inspection due to illuminated airbag light. ORC module requires replacement but not covered under recall for some VINs.
When: Throughout ownership; one case with 67,000 miles on 4-year-old vehicle; another at 46,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light continuously illuminated; No functional problem observed but light will not extinguish; Vehicle fails state inspection due to illuminated airbag light; Safety concern about whether airbags will deploy properly
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning light codes
Repairs/costs cited: ORC module replacement estimated at $400; no parts available to repair at certain dealers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler recall N38 for active head restraints (reprogramming only, not full module replacement); Recall 13V282000 for air bags and electrical system covers some VINs but excludes others; VINs outside recall window refused repair; dealers performed TIPM reprogramming during recall but did not replace ORC module as needed
Water Intrusion and Windshield Drain Blockage
Water accumulates below the windshield due to clogged drain tubes, causing water to back up through the heater core into passenger compartment. Results in soaked carpet, mold growth, and rust damage.
When: Reported as ongoing design flaw affecting multiple model years
Symptoms owners cite: Water floods into passenger side floor; Carpet soaking wet; Black mold visible; Rust formation on floorpan; Corrosion from repeated water exposure
Repairs/costs cited: Requires windshield wiper removal and compartment tear-down; repair cost over $500; temporary fix not practical; debris must be manually cleared from drain area
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim this is maintenance issue and not defect; no recall issued despite design flaw; Chrysler charges owner for repair
Synthesized from 118 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Chrysler 200?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 118 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 87 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 45,000 and 94,800 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 94,800. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chrysler/200.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.