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. …
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge challenger. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Car randomly stalls while driving. Does NOT show CHECK ENGINE light, nor have any codes been recorded as checked by dealer obd reader. 2 Dodge Dealerships unable to diagnose because of no codes. Both dealerships claim they have not heard of this problem before I appeared. I saw in online forums that other owners have been dealing with this issue since at least 2011, so it appears the manufacturer is ducking their responsibility.
The transmission stalled after driving it for 4000 miles. The car has 9 codes associated with the anti lock brakes, electric power steering, and transmission control. The car is available for inspection. This car creates an unsafe condition for the driver whose anti lock brakes fail, and the fact that the transmission is bad.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and would not accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that smoke was detected coming from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and flames were detected coming from under the hood. A police report was not filed but a fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test or repairs. The vehicle was towed to a recovery tow lot waiting to be diagnosed by the vehicles insurance company. The vehicle was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, smoke fumes started to emit inside the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road due determine the cause of the smoke emitting from the engine compartment. The vehicle completely shut off and failed to restart. The contact stated that she lost her voice due to smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
I was driving on the freway and my Challenger lost power and smelled like something was burning and my steering wheel locked up I had to have it towed 15 miles back to my apartment and now its just sitting I checked for recalls and low and behold there is a recall for an alternator and diods recall number t-36 so I called to Dodge dealers and once again they are giving me the run around stevens creek Dodge said a month and a half rediculouse and fremont Dodge gives two months until they can replace it Dodge service manager said they only get a few parts to work with I highly doubt that I recently got my passenger side airbag done and they broke the part im not even sure if it is actually working huge safety hazard I need my vehicle repaired asap someone needs to contact me asap I also had to use up my towing miles from my insurance company im requesting a rembersmant for that and if …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. When the vehicle was started, a knocking sound emerged from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lifters were faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,033. Vonsumer stated the car ended up going to grand junction Dodge dealership for diagnose. The Dodge corp was notified and stated they were looking write it. It cost me $4,000 in repairs mechaics locked motor up numerous times because they refused to call gaundain interlock for override code. …
Left cylinder head was replaced under manufacturer's warranty at 144,[redacted] oct 18 2018. Cylinder head was replaced again under the same warranty at 160xxx September 2020. After repair dealer stated that the right head had a leak and needed to be diagnosed. Chrysler authorizes 9 hours of service labor for diagnosis under extended warranty x56 . The warranty also authorizes replacement of the right head cover and gasket if required. When I brought up this fine print to the dealer I was told by the dealer that Chrysler would not cover anything else. It took calling for over a month straight for them to finally authorize the warranty work based on the updated 2014 bulletin that added the right side to the warranty.I was told I had to pay out of pocket 2000$ to diagnose the problem. Even though it was covered under warranty they told me it wasnt. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the lights on the instrument panel illuminated while the engine stalled. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, brennan Dodge 1371 north service road east ruston, la 71270 where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and other various engine cylinders failed. The vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and tappet hydraulic failed and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under po1 failure via the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 118,572.
Engine complaints in other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 10% of the model year's 253 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Challenger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2012 Dodge Challenger, though it has 6 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 Dodge Challenger engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.