Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
2012 Dodge Charger lighting problems
severe
Owners of the 2012 Dodge Charger have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 48,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 40kmed 48kQ3 62kn=24
Complaints
32
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$250
lighting complaints on the Dodge Charger, by model year
Of the 32 lighting complaints filed for the 2012 Dodge Charger,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
1 (100%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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
Among the 8 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 20, 2010, through November 8, 2011, and equipped with halogen headlamps
Loss of headlights reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs, or the headlamp assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2014. Owners may contract Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number associated with this recall is P08. This recall concerns non-police vehicles. A separate campaign was launched in 2012 to address police vehicles. See NHTSA recall 12V-042.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin0900214REVBDec 2014
MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves checking for excessive cylinder leakage and replacing the cylinder head if necessary. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the Technician may find that any the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes have been set: P0300- Multiple Cylinder Misfire P0302- Cylinder 2 Misfire P0304- Cylinder 4 Misfire P0306- Cylinder 6 Misfire
FLASH: MIL Illumination For P0730 And Transmission Shift Enhancements This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new software. A small number of customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation, the technician may find that Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0730 Incorrect Gear Ratio is setting erroneously. In addition to correcting the DTC, the following Transmission Control Module (TCM) calibration improvements are now available. These updates are broken down by vehicle line and engine category.WK, WD, JK and LC Vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine (Sales Code ERB) Hanging in gear d
New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ? P08030614 Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) announced a safety recall on certain 2011 and 2012 model year (LD) Dodge Charger vehicles. The headlight wiring harness connectors may overheat. This could cause a loss of low beam headlight function without warning. A loss of headlight(s) during nighttime driving could cause a crash without warning. Chrysler will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all involved vehicles to inspected, and replaced if necessary, the headlight wire harnesses. Dealers will be notified of the launch of this safety recall by way of established methods used in the past. Chrysler anticipates the launch of this safety recall in April
Customer complains of inaccurate navigation routing, vehicle indicator drifting from the given route and/or navigation resets. To fix this customer issue, the following must be performed in accordance to TSB 08-004-13.
05064947A$, 05064981A$, 05064982A$ - Amplifier (BUX Only)~ Customer complains of inaccurate navigation routing, vehicle indicator drifting from the given route and/or navigation resets. To fix this customer issue, the following must be performed in accordance to TSB 08-004-13:~ 1) Replace radio 05064543ZG or 05091385ZC with P/N 05091462ZE (for non- Russian market) or 05091463ZG (Russian market) respectively.~ 2) Replace the amplifier with the appropriate parts are shown as below:~ Replace 05064981AA-AJ with 05064981AK~ Replace 05064982AA-AL with 05064982AM~ Replace 68040979AA-AE with 68040979AF~ Replace 05064947AA-AK with 05064947AL~ 3) Reflash the HVAC module.~ Please Refer TSB 08-004-13 fo
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe a melting wiring connector at the low beam headlight, causing bulbs to fail repeatedly. The connector overheats, burns plastic smell is present, and the melted connector fuses the bulb in place, requiring replacement of both parts. Failures recur even immediately after repair—one owner replaced the passenger-side harness six times in five months. The passenger side is more commonly affected, though driver-side failures also occur.
Low beam headlights go out suddenly or intermittently during normal driving at any speed; both beams may fail simultaneously, creating a hazardous situation. Some owners report the light comes back on if the headlight switch is cycled off and back on. High beams continue to function. Onset ranges from weeks to several months after ownership.
Two major recalls exist—Campaign 12V042000 and 14V101000—but many owners report their VINs are excluded despite having identical symptoms. The initial recall (P08) covered only police vehicles; expansion to other models was incomplete. Parts are frequently unavailable or on national back order; dealers report ordering only one repair kit per week, delaying service for weeks or months. One owner waited over a month for a part that never arrived. Dealers are told they cannot expedite recall repair orders. One owner's vehicle passed recall inspection but failed again shortly after, with the connector melted once more.
Same Dodge Charger lighting reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Low beam headlight wiring harness overheating and melting
The connector or wiring harness at the low beam headlight—typically at the bulb connector—overheats and melts, causing the bulb to fail. The melted connector can fuse the bulb in place, requiring replacement of both components. This failure recurs repeatedly on the same side.
When: Mileage range 30,000–148,000; onset varies from weeks to months after purchase or previous repair
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlight goes out suddenly or intermittently; Burnt plastic smell near headlight area; Visible melting or charring of wiring connector; Bulb cannot be separated from melted connector; Failure recurs even after bulb replacement; Passenger side more commonly affected, though driver side also reported
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of low beam wiring harness connector and bulb; owners report costs accumulating due to repeated failures. One owner replaced the harness 6 times in 5 months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 12V042000 initially applied only to police vehicles (P08); subsequent Campaign 14V101000 expanded scope. Many owners report their VINs were excluded despite identical symptoms. Parts frequently on back order or unavailable; dealers limited to ordering one repair kit per week. Recall repairs delayed weeks to months.
Low beam headlight intermittent on/off or complete failure
Low beam headlights fail to activate, turn off without warning while driving, or toggle on and off when the headlight switch is cycled. High beams remain functional. Failure may occur at any speed.
When: Occurs during normal driving; some owners report onset within first year of ownership; mileage range 31,000–148,000
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam headlights fail to turn on; Low beam goes out unexpectedly while driving at various speeds; Headlight turns back on if switch is cycled off and back on; Both headlights may fail simultaneously (hazardous condition); Failure is intermittent initially, then becomes persistent; High beam lights continue to work
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have diagnosed wiring harness failure, melted connectors, or overheated bulbs. Some vehicles were not diagnosed or repaired; one dealer stated failure to correct may result in thermal event.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler/FCA directed some owners to dealer service; others were told VIN was not included in recall. Multiple owners reference Police Recall P-08 and state their non-police vehicles exhibit identical failures but are excluded from recall coverage.
Headlight module malfunction affecting lighting and wipers
A module failure causes both daytime running lights and wiper operation to malfunction simultaneously—headlights remain on in daylight regardless of auto/dial setting, and wipers stick on high speed despite being set to off.
When: Reported once; specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Daytime running lights stay on continuously even in daylight; Headlight dial set to 'off' or 'auto' but lights remain on; Wiper blades locked on high speed regardless of control setting
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement required; part was on national back order with no ETA. Owner left without loaner vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed owner of national back order; no remedy offered.
LED trunk lid lights burning out
LED lights around the trunk lid burn out spontaneously with no visible physical damage or cracks to the plastic casing.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: LED trunk lights burn out; No physical damage or cracks visible
Repairs/costs cited: No repair method cited by owner
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
2 most recent
lighting · 148,000 mi
· filed 12/26/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge charger. While driving various speeds at night, the low beam headlights unintentionally went out. Duluth Dodge inc (4755 miller trunk hwy, duluth, mn 55811, (218) 720-6123) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v101000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
lighting
· filed 12/24/2020
NO LIGHTS
Had lighting trouble with your 2012 Dodge Charger?
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 lighting problem on the 2012 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 32 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 40,300 and 61,850 miles, with the median around 48,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,300; a quarter make it past 61,850. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/Dodge/Charger.
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.