Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Dodge Challenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact leased a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with melted wiring. Additionally, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact was aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted for the recall repair, but no assistance was provided. The used car dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like it's in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then back into drive and pray that it goes. It doesn't kick into gear like it should all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power won't even work. It's an electric. and pray that it goes. It doesn't kick into gear like it should alternator all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power. Siri won't even work. It's an electrical nobody can get anything to fix it and now we're out of state and it broke down again. It is so dangerous recently, the belt came off of it while I was driving and it caused liquids to explode and almost caused fire
2012 Challenger SRT8 TIPM is this issue and there is no recall for this, while it should due to being a major part of the electrical system that controls all aspects of the safety system. Also now I am being told Dodge does NOT make this part any longer....how is that possible. This IS a recall for other Dodge models, why not mine
Window keeps going up and down fixed it at the shop the door lock actuator is the problem had passenger side fixed now the driver side is doing it which is draining my battery seems like a lot of cars have this issue
Tracktion light came on(little car with tire tracks) then dead, won't hold a charge.excact same thing is happing to thousands. Alternator replaced @ Dodge/$1,000. There's a recall, (p60) 2011-2014/Dodge Challenger's the alternater 160 amp is defective! So why did I have to pay???? Because (they) are only replacing them on 3.6 l engines not 5.7 l like mine!so I guess it's only defective when u have a smaller engine? I paid more$ for my engine so I guess they think a defective alternator is going to some how work? Well it dosnt! My question is did they put the new and improved alternator on mine? Or do I just have to pray this one dosnt go out again, on the freeway again and cause a huge accident! Ever been coming down the grapevine at 70 MPH and your car goes dead? …
Tl* the contact owns 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 10 MPH the vehicle started to emit smoke out of the cigarette lighter with a dime lodged in the hole. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over safely to attempt to extinguish the fire. Within a few minutes the vehicle engulfed in flames, the contact attempted to pour soda on the flames along with a fire extinguisher to no avail. However the fire department was able to put out the flames. A fire report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or local mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of this incident. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000
Fire: on December 27, 2017 my car was idling outside my sisters house when smoke began coming from the trunk, we ran and grabbed a fire extinguisher and found the battery and wiring harness burnt. Since then I have been working with my insurance company and hendricks hover Dodge to get it repaired. First they couldn't find my car for a bout a week, then they told me it would be don't this Friday and since then I have receiver 2 sales calls trying to get me to trade in my 2012 Dodge. Why did this happen and why has it been at hendricks since January 22 and still not fixed.
Sudden alternator failure resulting in car nearly catching fire, battery fried. Paid out of pocket for repair and rental car. 2nd alternator sudden failure again < 6 months later, and battery fried again. Dealer expects me to pay out of pocket again and just wait on a remedy and I would eventually get reimbursed. Not all of us have money to throw around. I'm a single mom with two kids. This is very dangerous and could end up causing a bad accident. Very disappointed.
Fiat Chrysler Dodge has issued a recall on all 3.6 liter v6 alternators because the amperage is causing fires in some cars but mostly the alternators are failing and once they fail, the battery goes within a few days with no warning. I was driving on the highway when my car lost all electrical, no power steering, no lights, which also means no airbags or anything. I pressed the gas pedal all the way to the floor to keep it running and was at 40 MPH before I could finally get off the highway. I stopped at the redlight and the car just shut off. I contacted Chrysler through my service agreement and got roadside assistance to take the car back to the dealership where I bought it in 2012, I told them about the recall and they told me Dodge had not released the parts to anyone yet. …
Tracktion control light came on, I pulled into my driveway. Thank god because when I tried to start it about 5 min. Later it was dead. Would not hold a charge, could not jump start it , had it towed to haddad Dodge. Next morning they called and said it is the alternater and it's $1000😳so I asked if that's all that's wrong because I know there were burned out fuses and I would think I would need a new battery . He said I would have to pay for the alternater before he could check to see if anything else was wrong,hmmmmmm I've checked the Dodge blog and I can't count how many people have had the excact same thing happen to there challengers! …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA has 138 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 55% of the model year's 253 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Challenger electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-634 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 8, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Challenger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.