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 Charger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to coast to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as an alternator diode-thermal fatigue in which the alternator needed to be replaced. The alternator was replaced along with the water pump, caskets, and thermostat. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle was overheating and was taken to the dealer where the same failure cause was determined, and a thermostat was replaced in January. The contact stated that the paperwork stated that an alternator was not available. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) in March 2018. …
Oct, 2022 my car did not shift out of park so I googled my car and the problem, So it said it was my monostable shifter modular. I towed it to A Transmission mechanic and they did a full body diagnostic test and I was told all I needed was to buy a new transmission shifter modular and a PCM to get my car running again. I did not have the $ 4,200 for them to fix my car so I had it towed back home. Now as of today my car is not running still because of the transmission shifter modular and PCM I bought brand new Installed myself and for some odd reason the electrical started flickering as if maybe the wiring is wrong or something. …
The contact owns a 2012 DODGE CHARGER. The contact stated that a fluid leak would circulate through the engine block. Due to this failure, the contact stated that the vehicle would stall out without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics and each time the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that there were 2 recalls on his vehicle NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V197000(SERVICE BRAKES, AIR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that his vehicle was then towed to the dealer for repair; however, the contact was informed that the parts for the repair were on backorder. The manufacture was notified of the failure and have not given him an update. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 160,000.
My insuramce claim is [redacted]. [redacted] afternoon. My car was parked on hill parking lot. I put on drive, was getting ready to leave and go home. Car has no acceleration, start sliding down while i stepped on gas. So I stepped on brake and no brake, car kept sliding downhill and hit another subaru. Nothing worked then I stepped on e brake and saved my life. My car computer has a malfunctioning.This car and accident has causes me so much emotional stress, i was shaking up and i will not ever get into that car again. Please contact me [redacted] . Id like you guys to get into my car computer box to tell me what caused my car out of control before i take my car to dodge.
The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he became aware that the air conditioning system was inoperable. Additionally, the contact became aware that the 10-AMP air conditioning clutch fuse was loosened. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the loosened air conditioning clutch fuse. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000
Headlight pigtail assembly burned out as described in the 2014 safety recall. 14V-101 / P08 Recall Summary The wiring sub-harnesses for the headlights may overheat, and the low beam headlights may fail. Dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs or the headlight assemblies as needed free of charge to resolve the concern.
My 2012 Dodge Charger was bought used and it had been recently repaired and recalls performed on it. (The dealership was nice to point that out to me.) in Dec 2020 Wa. state. I have had nothing but problems with it. About a month later I had smelled smoke. I had my car scanned and it said camshaft needed to be replaced. So I did. It has stalled and seized up without warning. I was only going 40 miles an hour when the steering went hard( could not move or control it) The dashboard went black and I tried to pull it to the shoulder. The engine was still on. I would put the gas on ... but it had died. There was one other vehicle on the road at that time following me. He went around just in time. This not only happened once but two times. Since the car was a dodge i went to that dealership. A couple of times telling then the problem. They just wanted to scan the vehicle for $85.00 PER SCAN. …
Service power steering warning comes on, causes my gauge cluster to go blank & dark, I lose A/C, power steering, headlights work intermittently, blinkers & all steering wheel button options stop working, and my transmission will start downshifting shifting erratically. It downshifts so hard I'm afraid I'll lose control of my car. Yesterday I had a message pop up saying it was going into Power Saving Mode. When the power steering warning is on, my A/C will have half the vents blowing cold air, the other half blowing hot heater air. During the winter my heated seats only worked intermittently. All of these issues are related to the past recalls on my car that were supposedly fixed; however, the problems are still occurring. Can somebody please contact me about these recalls and tell me what I should do? Thank you!
I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealerships. I have receipts for parts I have replaced that were recalled, as diagnostics tests. This has been going on since 2022 one after another and then affects other parts I even asked them to do a software update for the electronic monostable gear they said no.
A licensed mechanic did a diagnostic test and the code P1DB7 came up. The reason for calling the mechanic was after driving my car the next day it didn't want to start, there was recalls already repaired apparently yet the code states that it's a Faulty Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM). there's still an electrical problem TPMS is still not reading the computer system correctly is just not right therefore it's not reading anything correctly. the original control arms w/ball JT including the steering column is all bad and will cause a wreck or someone killed caused of the instability.
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 system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and Dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles May lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 18, 2012. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 Dodge charger police vehicles. The low beam headlamps of some vehicles could fail due to an overheated bulb harness connector. Other vehicles May lose ABS/ESC system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and relocate the ABS/ESC system fuse within the power distribution center, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 2, 2012.
NHTSA investigations
Alternator failure
On July 22, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-022 to investigate 14 complaints (VOQs) alleging incidents of alternator failure resulting in engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Dodge Charger vehicles.The MY 2011 through 2012 Dodge Charger vehicles were sold with three different engine options:1) 3.6L V6 (VIN8 = G), 88,766 vehicles; 2) 5.7L V8 (VIN8 = T), 38,615…
Electrical complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 359 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Charger, 55% of the model year's 648 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Charger electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-435 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 10, 2017); NHTSA recall 14V-634 (alternator/generator/regulator, Oct 8, 2014); NHTSA recall 12V-197 (fuses and circuit breakers, May 2, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Charger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 37 fires and 4 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.