Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
While driving, the car began to rapidly lose functionality while warning lights were appearing on the dashboard until it abruptly shut down while driving in traffic. The time from no warning lights to complete loss of functionality was approximately 10-15 seconds. The shut down included an abrupt loss of power steering and braking capabilities while driving on a busy street at night. I was able to quickly compensate for the loss of power steering and braking and stop the vehicle while avoiding a crash, but just barely. Thankfully, I broke down next to two police officers who helped push my vehicle onto the side of the road. These officers May be able to attest to the fact that no noises or abnormal operation of the vehicle was apparent before the abrupt shut-off while driving. Attempts to restart the vehicle involved no clicking or the engine attempting to turn over. …
After driving for 15 or 20 minutes or more, I can hear and feel in the steering wheel a clunking noise/sound under the hood. There is no pattern to it. It happens either on a straight line or by turning. The banging rate won't increase/decrease if I speed up/down. If I turn on the ac before the clunking noise/sound starts, it will commence to make the noise/sound before the 15 or 20 minutes of driving. It is driving me crazy (no pun intended). It sounds like something is completely loose and is going to fall at any moment. My safety and those riding with me are not secured in this car. The internet is full of people with this same problem for this particular car and there is not one solid solution for it. Could anyone help us and make Chrysler get more serious with this problem/solution? Regards.
Car dies for no apparent reason and during any type driving. Of course, when motor dies power steering is lost. Extremely dangerous in the heavy austin traffic that I drive in. May just shut down on a major overpass with no where to go. This vehicle puts my life and families life in danger. This shut down can happen at 10 MPH or at 60 MPH or above. I try to bypass major highways in austin even though it May be several miles out of the way, and so far have been able to avoid any problems. It seems ridiculous to have to travel like this. My car engine is a 2.4l and I know there has been a recall on Chrysler's 3.6 l engine in the 200, but I believe this engine needs to also be recalled
The vehicle stalls out - power is shut-off without any notice. The vehicle becomes tdisable while trying to drive. This occurs three times this year. The only way to get the vehicle operating again it to put in park and restart the car. The steering while locks up as well. I have to take the highway to work everyday. Most of the instances when this happens I'm not driving on the highway. The stalling of the car occurs when you drive about 2-3 miles. The car bears left and starts to stalled out. It lost power. Every time this problem occurred it happens while the car is in motion.
My Chrysler 200 was purchased about two months ago since I purchased it from florida and I reside in alabama I was told by the local dealership in mobile that they could not diagnose or repair it because they have no history. My car is randomly stalling and loosing all power to engine when attempting to stop or slow down there is no codes on dashboard. PCM was replaced still same issue. It is very likely this will cause an accident especially because there is no warning. It cut off tonight on my way home from work while I was driving at 35mph. This is dangerous
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While driving 35 MPH the steering wheel ceased and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after five minutes. While driving and making a left turn the vehicle stalled again. While attempting to start vehicle there was abnormal ticking noise detected. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer was inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. While making a turn, the contact heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the power steering without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred several other times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. ...updated 05/17/17 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by the dealer on 3/31/2017 at the owner's expense. The consumer believed at 32,256 miles, the failure was premature. Updated 09/06/2017
While driving my vehicle back the office from my lunch break, I made a right hand turn onto the main road and began to accelerate the vehicle with more gas. At about 35mph the car engine completely shut off and I had to coast to the side of the road with no power steering. I had to wait approximately 20 mins until my car would restart again. I was able to get back on the road until after another few hundred yards of driving the car stalled again completely. I was then forced to call a tow truck to have it taken to an auto shop.
The steering column makes loud "popping" noises at low speeds and when turning the vehicle. It sounds like the steering column is going to snap. In addition, I had to have all of my lifters replaced in the engine due to a loud ticking noise coming from under the hood. Lastly, the leather material is coming off of all of the doors in the vehicle, and the light for the emergency brake stays on even when the brake is not engaged. I despise driving the car and will never buy another Chrysler.
To start off the ABS and traction control will not stop turning off and on even after replacing everything . Almost all the time when it rains they will kick in the e brake and start grinding . No matter how many times I change the brakes and rotors and master control they never stop squeaking . Lastly almost all the electrical problems started after the alternator failed and I had to replace it . My speedometer just died on me today and I have no clue how that happened .
Steering complaints in other 200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Chrysler 200, 7% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 200 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.