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 contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds at night, the headlights intermittently became inoperable. The failure occurred with the high beam and low beam headlights. Additionally, the windshield wipers only operated at high speeds because the variable speed control was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The battery was replaced; however, the failures reoccurred. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
It happened to my wife with our three kiddos in the car, she was on the freeway doing speed limit 65 when the car just shut off going around a corner at night all of everything shut off including head lights, power steering, and moter it almost through her and kids off the road in the dark ,the wipers shut off whenever they want and the healights off and on without warning, the horn blows unpredictable like , eceleration from bogging down to super fast causes the car to swerve and jerk around unpredictabley the windows sometimes work and sometimes not, once in a while car wont start and or stalls while driving. I'm really worried and scared my wife and kids are going to get hurt or killed or hurt someone else because of these electrical issues. …
The problem seems to be with the electrical system the TIPM is malfunctioning. Wipers will stop midstream or run constantly, any time power is engaged in the car the wipers will begin to work whether the switch is on or off and regardless if the key is even in the ignition or not. Airbag lights are lit up, blinker switch will engage wipers to run.
There was cold air coming out of the passenger side air vents. This would take a significant amount of time to defrost the windows. The air was about as cold as the static outside air temperature. The drivers side air would eventually heat up the entire windshield to safely drive. However, if it was below 20f outside the drivers side heat would not be hot enough to keep the passenger side window defogged. This posed a lot of safety concerns cursing along the highway. Later, this was deemed to be a clogged/faulty passenger side heater-core which had to be replaced. After this was replaced the passenger side air is about as hot as the drivers side now. The defrost times are equal on both sides during cold starts and visibility is back to normal. The mechanic recommends doing an annual cooling flush to prevent the heater core from becoming faulty in the future. …
The heater core become clogged preventing air flow, to defrost the windshield on the passenger side of the car. I even did the regular scheduled coolant flushes to prevent this from happening, and it still happened. It becomes dangerous as the vehicle heater core becomes so backed up that not even a full heater core flush can save it. I have read on line that this is a issue that happens to a lot Chrysler vehicles, and it sounds as if it has to do a lot to with the car was manufactured through the sand cast process. The car has overheated also has a hard time keeping the car warm because of the clogged heater core. This problem has effected many of the 200 vehicles , and im surprised that a resolve has not be brought out yet., it almost got me in a accident on the turnpike because I couldn't defrost the windows.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the air conditioner unit failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the recirculation door alternator for the defrost and air conditioning unit failed. The vehicle was repaired twice, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. ...updated 01/23/17 consumer stated at 40,000 and 106,000 miles clicking on passenger side started both times replaced the recirculation and alternator. Updated 7/13/18 consumer stated this will be the 4th failure of this part on this car and the second time that the radiator system has been either partially or entirely replaced in this vehicle.
The vehicle has lost most of its heating capabilities and will not defrost the windshield. This is extremely dangerous as we live in a cold climate during the winter and could cause an accident as well as causing the driver to be very uncomfortable while driving. I have read up on numerous complaints of this and I cannot believe there hasn't been a recall submitted by Chrysler. I even had a past Chrysler mechanic inform me that when he was working for a Chrysler dealership that the dealership received a letter informing them that they would start to see this problem occuring with these vehicles. Unbelievable! And yet no recall has been issued? This needs to be addressed for serious safety concerns before people are killed if it hasn't happened already.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the heat and defroster were not working specifically on the passenger side, which affected the contact's visibility while driving. The contact also noticed a fuel odor coming from the heating unit when it was activated. The contact called the dealer (barbera autoland, 7810 e roosevelt blvd, philadelphia, pa 19152, [phone]) and was informed that there was no recall. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer agreed with the dealer and stated that there was an assistance program to help pay for the repairs, if the contact was eligible. The manufacturer advised the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Defrost doesn't work. Dealership calls for replacing radiator, heater core and oil cooler due to sludge build-up/clogging in coolant/heating system. This appears to be due to an incompatibility between the coolant used by Chrysler and the chemicals/oils used in the manufacture of the engine system. This is 100% a manufacturing defect and the dealer & manufacturer are unwilling to replace. Fairly common problem with the 2012/2013 Chrysler 200, regardless of engine type. This is a safety concern as the windshield can become fogged very quickly while driving under the right conditions (damp weather) and without warning, posing a safety hazard. Started about one year ago.
Passenger side does not have any heat coming out of the vents, or defrosters. Only the far driver side produces small amount of warmth. Being that I live in wisconsin, it has become hazardous for me to drive my vehicle in the winter for obvious reasons. Not being able to unfog, or defrost your windows is unbelievably dangerous! Aside from the dangers of driving at times with only half of a clear windshield, my passengers and I freeze inside the vehicle during the winter! The only way to clear the windshield and passenger window is to periodically open the windows while driving, which only makes the inside temperature that much more unbearable.
Window & Wiper complaints in other 200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2012 Chrysler 200, 9% of the model year's 638 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler 200 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 6% 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.