Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (air conditioning, heater, defroster, HVAC controls).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chrysler 200 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The right side (passenger side) of vehicle gets very little heat. This caused the entire car to be cold. The defrost does not melt ice on windshield. This first happened when the car was 11 month old. The dealer replaced the radiator, heater core and cleaned the block. He said these were full of sludge. Today, March 2015) at 34017 miles, I picked up the car from the dealer after complaining of the same lack of heat and the same was reported, replaced radiator,heater core, oil filter cooler and flush cooling system. Also stated on the repair invoice "performed test and repair per star case [redacted]". This is apparently an account to charge the repair back to chrylser. Chrysler knows of this problem. The service advisor told me that someone at manufacturing plant added a sealant to stop leaks. …
2012 Chrysler 200 heater issue. Vehicle will not warm on passenger side preventing defogger to reduce ice or snow from windshield. The vehicle was taken to Chrysler dealership and after several attempts to remove sludge from the radiator and heater core the heater still will not maintain heat to the passenger side which is a safety issue in keeping the windshield clear of ice or snow. Dealership indicated that heater core, radiator and coolant reservoir will all need to be replaced. In reading various forms its known that Chrysler uses some type of chemical to plug any pin holes in the radiator and this product is causing a sludge in the system and creating the problem. Chrysler will not or indicated after calling, they will not pay the $1700 cost of the repairs that were created during manufacturing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the heater did not work on the passenger side of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to haasz automall of ravenna (4886 oh-59, ravenna, oh 44266) where it was diagnosed that the heater core and the radiator needed to be replaced. The contact was informed to pay a deductible because the vehicle was not purchased at the dealer. The technician also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacture was made aware of the failure and stated that the deductible needed to be paid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle began to decelerate. The failure occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the heater blower failed to blow heat out of the passenger side vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The local dealer (jim riehl's friendly Chrysler Jeep in sterling heights, mi) was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving 60 MPH, the contact realized that the passenger side of the vehicle became cold. While the defroster was activated, the contact realized that only the driver's side was defrosting and not the passenger side. While the vehicle was stationary, the passenger side began to defrost. While the vehicle was in motion, the passenger side became cold. The dealer (east gate Chrysler, 500 n shadeland ave, indianapolis, in) diagnosed that the heater core failed. The vehicle was not repaired. There were no recalls associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, the heater on the front passenger side failed to function and prevented the passenger side window from defrosting. The vehicle was taken to doug marine motors (1120 clinton ave, washington ct house in oh 43160) where it was diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that passenger side blower failed to blow hot air which caused the defroster to become inoperable. As a result, there was limited visibility for the driver. The vehicle was taken to pat clemmons inc located at 1720 s. Marshall st. Boone ia, [phone] to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the defrost system did not function properly. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had to be flushed every year in order for the defroster to work. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Consumer stated thermostat was replaced. VIN not available
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the defogger on the front passenger side malfunctioned and prevented the contact from seeing through the windshield. The failure recurred multiple times. The dealer stated that there was a heater core restriction due to sludge, which caused poor heater system performance. The system was flushed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving 40 MPH, the heat and the defroster on the passenger side started to blow cold air. The dealer (town and country Jeep Chrysler Dodge, 3156 hempstead turnpike, levittown, ny 11756) diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The same failure occurred two years later. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 26,000. Updated 8/27/18
AC & Heater complaints in other 200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are ac & heater problems on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the a/c & heater of the 2012 Chrysler 200, 4% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is defroster/defogger/hvac system (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 200 ac & heater problems?
No. NHTSA lists no a/c & heater recall for the 2012 Chrysler 200, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler 200 ac & heater problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.