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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. While driving 65 MPH, the windshield wipers activated and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over as it stalled. An eyewitness pulled over and observed smoke coming from the hood of the contact's vehicle. The contact decided to disconnect the battery due to smoke from the alternator. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (atlantic Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 130 sunrise hwy, west islip, ny 11795) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed. The remedy part for the recall was unavailable. The dealer offered another alternator and was informed that the failure could recur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 32419564. The case was escalated it and the contact was informed that they would have a manager return the call. …
Leaving work I noticed my radio suddenly turned off, display showed power saver mode. I contacted my husband by cell phone and he advised me to stop driving it because there had been reports of fires, crashes and loss of control. I was turning on to my street and I lost control of steering, brakes, and all power in the car. I was coasting to park and noticed that there was smoke coming out from under the hood. My husband came down to look at the vehicle and could not turn vehicle on at all. Now, I drive our car to and from work, a 15 minute trip 6 days a week. We regularly keep our vehicle serviced. This car is coming on a 2 year anniversay and I have paid for a new battery, parts/labor and diagnostic test. Dealership says that my car is safe to drive but the alternator is making a noise and that it can last from 6 months to a year or die a week from now. How dramatic is that? …
We had a catastrophic failure of the alternator which nearly caused a wreck with my entire family (infant daughter was in car at the time when the high heat came on and windows locked not allowing us to turn heat off or get out for a minute) while we were driving back home and had to have the vehicle towed and get it fixed at the dealership earlier this year around January. Now the air bag warning light is staying on constantly, and as of 3 days ago (08/21/2016) the radio stops working and yesterday (08/23/2016) the ABS & traction control lights came on and will not go off now (at 60 MPH that's scary when your family is with you and brake warning lights and airbag lights come on!!!!!!!). …
As I exited the freeway my vehicle began to shut down and lose power. I was able to sputter at 10 MPH for about a quarter mile to a parking lot. The vehicles electronics were shutting down the whole time and weird electrical activation's started occurring or freezing on their own such as lights, senors, wipers, radio etc. I could also smell a burnt odor emitting from the air vents. When I parked the vehicle it did not start and had smoke coming from the engine. I checked the engine and saw some smoke coming from the alternator and smelled burnt. I took the vehicle to the dealer on 01-22-18 and they diagnosed it as the alternator failing due to the recall but there was no fix yet from Chrysler. They stated the quick fix is replacing the alternator but the vehicle would have to come back until they discover what needs to be fixed on the recall. …
On April of 2018, my car check engine light came on . I noticed my car barely taking off as I incline a hill or make a sudden stop. After observing how my car was driving suddenly slow, I then took it to landmark Dodge in morrow,ga.for a diagnostic. The code given was p06dd(dealers code). I had to gather up 2500.00 to get (valve body work) done. The check engine light stayed off until October 2019 where I took my car to auto zone for a free diagnostic, but to my surprise it gave the same code. I work back and forth out of town so therefore I didn't make it back in time to get it reinspected again for that code. Recently on April 1st.my car stalled and all lights on the dashboard came on including windshield wipers. I do noticed further ahead a week later that when ever I run over a pot hole or bump in the road it does it more often. …
I was driving my 2012 Dodge Charger sxt (blacktop edition) approximately 45 MPH on a highway when suddenly the car's electronic system starting going haywire. The ABS light when on, then the red brake light, then the engine light and so forth. The electronics started flickering on and off. I headed for the nearest exit and just I was exiting the car's steering ability locked up and coaxed it to the middle meridian of the road when it then suddenly lost power, narrowly avoiding an accident in a busy ny intersection. The vehicle would not turn on and I called aaa. They tried to give the car a boost but it only powered the electric system and it would not start. Once they took off the cables it had no power. …
Driving on florida turnpike and several car indicator warning lights came on, stability control, battery and so many others that I cannot remember them. A high pitched noise was emitted, car started smoking from vents and smelled like an electrical fire. I was passing a turnpike stop and was able to unsafely cross several lanes of traffic to pull in to the stop. I made it into the parking lot just in time and the car cut out. Had to take to be towed to the closest mechanic and leave overnight because it was too hot to connect to computer to troubleshoot. The battery casing was melted. The alternator and the battery had to be replaced. I am very grateful that I was next to a turnpike stop when this happened or my car would have shut down in the middle of the highway and could have resulted in a serious accident.
While parked and while driving, the ABS, ESC, and brake malfunction indicator lamps illuminate with a double warning chime. After 1 to 2 minutes, the indicators turn off. While the indicators are illuminated, the respective systems are not enabled. This was tested in winter weather by braking on slippery roads with no anti-lock intervention, and accelerating around a corner with no traction control or stability control intervention. The issue only happens when the car has been in operation for more than 30 min, and is aggravated by wet conditions, or a car wash with undercarriage spray. I have taken the car to the dealership with the same results. "could not reproduce the problem".
While driving, the vehicle started making a whining noise. Soon after, we smelled an odor of burning rubber. Within 10 minutes, a vehicle warning light appeared indicating the charging system was malfunctioning. About 5 minutes later, the battery save mode light came on, we lost ABS and ESC, and the car seemed to have lost power. We were close to a Dodge dealer so we had the car looked at. Dealer had to replace the alternator. I asked about a recall or service bulletin and the service agent said there wasn't anything on the car. This car was in otherwise perfect condition, all services performed on time, with under 61000 miles.
May 25 2020, 2012 Dodge Charger se. I was parking the vehicle in a residential area and tried to make a left turn to straighten the car, the service power steering light came on and I'm not able to turn the steering wheel in any direction. Took the vehicle to the mechanic and he changed the fuse 4 different times and it popped on him. No one has any remedies to correct this issue that's obviously now an ongoing problem with Dodge chargers throughout different years and models. Please have a recall performed for the parts needed to remedy this situation. The vehicle should not be on the road under these conditions.
Traction Control complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2012 Dodge Charger, 6% of the model year's 648 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Dodge Charger traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2012 Dodge Charger, though it has 14 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 Charger traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.