2012 Chrysler 200 engine problems
moderate 87 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 87 engine 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 engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Two major issues plague 2012 Chrysler 200 engines: sudden stalls without warning or fault codes (potentially dangerous at highway speeds) and cooling-system blockage causing failed defroster and recurring repairs. Dealerships often cannot diagnose the stalling problem, and Chrysler has denied recalls for this model year despite widespread complaints.
Owners of 2012 Chrysler 200s describe two clusters of engine failure: sudden stalls without warning and cooling-system blockage.
Stalling incidents: Cars shut down mid-drive at various speeds (10–72 mph) with no warning lights, no check-engine codes, and no pattern. After restart, they typically run normally. Owners report losing power steering and brakes simultaneously, creating dangerous situations on highways and busy intersections. Dealers cannot reproduce the problem and diagnostics yield no stored fault codes. Some owners experienced multiple stalls within days; others report it happening once. A few mention rough idle, hesitation at specific speed increments (10, 20, 30, 40 mph), or brief stalls during turns and acceleration. One owner noted a crank-sensor failure ($500 repair) as a documented cause.
Cooling-system blockage: Passenger-side heater produces little or no heat; windshield defroster fails. Owners describe sludge buildup in the radiator and heater core, sometimes clogging the oil cooler as well. Repairs typically require replacing the radiator, heater core, and flushing the entire system; costs cited range from $1,200 to $3,600. One service advisor told an owner that sealant added during manufacturing causes the problem. Multiple owners report the issue recurring after repairs. Warranty coverage varies—some repairs were covered beyond the standard period; others were denied.
Fuel economy: One owner reports achieving only 15 mpg highway versus the advertised 31 mpg, with frequent refills despite low weekly mileage.
Other engine issues: Overheating without leak, cylinder bearing failure, blown head gasket, and intake manifold gasket failure are mentioned in isolated complaints.
Same Chrysler 200 engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Unwarned engine stall — no fault codes
Engine shuts down during driving at various speeds with zero warning, no illuminated check-engine light, and no stored diagnostic codes. Power steering and power brakes are lost simultaneously. Vehicle restarts normally after stalling.
When: Reported across model year; incidents occurred from early ownership (10 miles) through higher mileage (181,000 miles); many at 30k–120k mile range
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete engine shutdown mid-drive; No warning lights before stall; Loss of power steering and power brakes; No fault codes stored in computer; Vehicle restarts normally; Stalls occur at red lights, during turns, highway driving, and parking lots
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate or diagnose; some replaced loose battery terminal, ASD relay, and reprogrammed PCM; one documented crank sensor replacement ($500)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 11V487000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) applies to 2015 models only; owners report Chrysler initially claimed no complaints on record; dealership service advisors suggested putting car in Neutral and restarting as workaround
Heater core and radiator sludge blockage
Passenger-side heater and windshield defroster produce little or no hot air; sludge accumulates in radiator, heater core, and sometimes oil cooler. Issue recurs even after repair.
When: First reported as early as 11 months of ownership at ~34k–46k miles; second failures occurring at 30k miles after first repair; some reported at 54k and 72k miles
Symptoms owners cite: No heat output on passenger side; Windshield defroster ineffective; Sludge visible in radiator and heater core; Lack of heat on driver side or entire cabin; Ice/snow buildup on windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of radiator, heater core, and oil cooler with full system flush; costs range $1,200–$3,600; one owner obtained repair at independent shop for less than half dealership estimate; Chrysler service documented work as 'per STAR case' (internal technical assistance program)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler STAR case numbers referenced in service records; one service advisor revealed sealant added during manufacturing is known to cause the problem; warranty coverage applied in some cases but denied in others; no recall issued; Chrysler declined responsibility in at least one case
Rough idle, hesitation, and misfire
Engine rough-idles at stops; hesitates or briefly stalls when accelerating from low speed or entering traffic; jerking and shaking during acceleration; multiple cylinder misfire codes recorded.
When: Reported across early and later ownership; one instance at 72k miles; another with repeated instances across several speed increments
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle at traffic lights; Hesitation when accelerating onto highway on-ramps; Stalling for 1–2 seconds during turns and acceleration; Engine jerking and shaking; Check-engine light illuminates intermittently; Stalls at specific speed increments (10, 20, 30, 40 mph)
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Multiple cylinder misfire), Cylinder 4 misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug and coil replacement; intake manifold gasket replacement; one owner reported $1,000+ in repairs with no permanent resolution; dealer advised 'computer will adapt'
Overheating without clear leak
Temperature gauge rises rapidly even at low speeds; overheating warning light illuminates; vehicle pulls to one side and begins smoking. Thermostats and coolant pumps replaced without resolving the issue.
When: Reported mid-drive at various speeds; symptoms manifest within 20 seconds of startup in one case; occurring after replacement of thermostats and pumps
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge rises to hot zone rapidly; Overheating warning light illuminates; Smoke and steam from engine; Vehicle pulls to one side; Rapid heating even at 30 mph; No visible coolant leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement; water pump replacement; full system flush; no permanent fix reported in at least one case
Poor fuel economy — 15 mpg vs. 31 mpg advertised
Vehicle achieves approximately 15 mpg on highway instead of advertised 31 mpg; owner reports fuel tank empties rapidly despite light weekly usage and mostly highway driving.
When: Early ownership; owner reports weekly refills despite only 36 miles round-trip commute
Symptoms owners cite: Highway fuel economy significantly below EPA/advertised rating; Frequent refueling required; Vehicle range approximately 250 miles on full tank instead of ~520 miles
Repairs/costs cited: Owner scheduled dealership diagnostic but complaint emphasizes alleged design defect or false advertising rather than repair cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Sales manager refused to recall or replace vehicle; no technical investigation reported
Cylinder head gasket and bearing failure
Cylinder head gasket failure causing coolant leaks; engine bearing failure leading to engine shutdown and requiring full engine replacement.
When: One head gasket incident at 116k miles; bearing failure reported at 109,614 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant leaks; Overheating light activation; Engine stall due to bearing seizure; Radiator fluid odor detected
Codes mentioned: P03 error code (one report)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in bearing-failure case; dealership cited improper lubrication and lack of timely oil changes as cause, but owner disputed this
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denied warranty coverage; told owner 'S.O.L.' (out of luck)
Radiator hose connector failure
Plastic radiator hose connector fails, resulting in loud banging noise, steam, and smoke from under hood.
When: After approximately 30 minutes of driving and parking; failure at 100k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud banging noise from engine bay; Steam and smoke under hood; Radiator fluid odor
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic radiator hose connector replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Synthesized from 87 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 87 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 67 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 41,788 and 102,453 miles, with the median around 77,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,788; a quarter make it past 102,453. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.