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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-DODGE-CHALLENGERNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Dodge
2012 Dodge Challenger problems
The 2012 Dodge Challenger has 253 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Dodge Challenger has 253 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 127 complaints, typically surfacing around 64,045 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Challenger?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 127 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–76,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Dodge Challenger? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 127 owner reports
· tends to show around 64,045 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 41 owner reports
· tends to show around 35,145 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,262 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,622 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 64,045 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Challenger· airbags
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge challenger. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the contact was informed that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that…
Driving to work. Car starts to make a whining noise then the ABS and stability control lights come on, I drive the car up the road a little more and the radio turns off and the gauges start to move erratically and then the car just died, completely in the middle of the road,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge challenger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The…
I was driving along the road and approached a set of lights to make a left turn. While making the left turn, my ABS brake light and traction light started flickering, the interior instrument lights turned off, my sunroof and windows secured itself, my nav system shut off and the…
Had a problem with your 2012 Dodge Challenger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Dodge Challenger 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 Dodge Challenger?
The 2012 Dodge Challenger is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 127 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–76,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Dodge Challenger?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 127 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,045 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Dodge Challenger a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 253 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 64,045 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 127 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,045 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 64,045 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Challenger 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 Dodge Challenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 253 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Dodge/Challenger.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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