2012 Dodge Challenger Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about electrical problems, especially the driver-side window that runs up and down on its own after the car is parked and off, and the alternator failing and taking the battery and power steering with it. Airbag complaints are the next largest group, mostly warning lights and some deployments, and owners also report engine stalling and power steering trouble, generally between about 30,000 and 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Driver's window moves up and down by itself

   • 56 complaints (22%)
   • median 61,226 mi at 5.7 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners describe getting into a parked, switched-off car and finding the driver's window — sometimes the passenger side too — cycling up and down a small amount every few seconds or minutes. The motion often continues until the battery is drained, leaving the car unable to start, and several owners say the rubber seal and trim began to wear from the repeated movement. Complaints mention the window switch or door module being replaced, sometimes repeatedly, and one owner tied the behavior to a known smart-window switch concern while noting no recall was available for this year. Reported from very low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, but most often between roughly 30,000 and 75,000 miles, and it occurs with the car parked and powered off.

   What to check: Park the car, switch it off and step away for several minutes with the window closed — listen and watch for movement. Ask whether the window switch, motor or door module has been replaced, and check for a battery that needs regular charging.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver side window goes up and down about a 1/4 of an inch on it's own when the car is off and no one is in the vehicle. This drained the battery completely and I needed to be jumped to get it to the mechanic. I saw on line where this was a recall for 2010 ,2011 and some 2012 models. This happened on april 7th.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321167, filed 2020-04, 80,000 miles

   “While parked and the car was turned off, I noticed that the driver side window would go up and down over and over and later on kill the battery. This has been a complaint and issue for several Dodge challengers even from 2011. Some individuals have to leave their window down just to avoid this issue. I have read that it is smart window motor issue with the wiring. This is not normal wear and tear and encourages theft and issues with starting up my vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11101219, filed 2018-06, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Alternator failure with sudden loss of electrical power

   • 138 complaints (55%)
   • median 58,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (104 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners describe the alternator failing without much warning: dash and radio lights behave erratically, gauges swing, and then the engine dies, taking power steering and lighting with it. In some cases the battery will not recharge and gets very hot, and owners report a burning electrical smell or discoloration at the alternator. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing the alternator, and several owners note the part was on back order or that their vehicle was not covered by the alternator recall for this model year. Mostly reported between roughly 39,000 and 89,000 miles, with a few cases much lower, and typically while driving rather than at start-up.

   Recall 17V435000Recall 14V6340001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the alternator recall work was completed and for any battery or charging-system service records. Have a mechanic check charging voltage at idle and look for wiring or connector heat damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I got in my vehicle to run an errand. I turned the car on and the ABS, brake, airbag, seat belt and every other light lit up and stayed on. A ringing sounds started and my radio began to flash until it finally went out. The car died and would not come back on. I am unclear as to what the issue may be. I was in the car earlier in the day and everything was fine. Their was no warning that the car would soon shut down completely.”

   NHTSA complaint #10650298, filed 2014-10, 39,875 miles

   “Car completely want start. Had a jump start and the car crunk up however to go out to crank the vehicle the next morning and the vehicle want start at all. Contacted the dealer they stated they don't have the alternator for the vehicle and would be able to do a temporary fixed. Not only do I have to pay out of pocket 150.00 just for them to do the testing . I also would have to pay for the alternator for the recall 1300 because my car has reached 45000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10683776, filed 2015-02, 45,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls and cuts out while driving

   • 39 complaints (15%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Owners report the engine shutting off without warning at speed, sometimes with a check engine light, and in some cases smoke or flames from under the hood. Diagnoses in the complaints include melted wiring, a timing chain replacement and cylinder head work, and some owners describe the car being undrivable and towed. Several say the repairs were not covered or were done partially. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 150,000 miles, often at highway speeds rather than at idle.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about timing chain, camshaft or lifter work and any cylinder head history, and have a mechanic scan for stored fault codes and listen for upper-engine tapping on cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my car in for oil change they said there was a recall on the timing chain and belt so they replaced it the next morning my battery light , ABS , traction control light came on by the time I got to work it would not restart. Battery would not charge became extremely hot it melted the jumper cable handles.no power what so ever...2 service men came to tow me and they both stated it was very unusual it would not charge at all... Very discouraged since it only has 23,000 miles ... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10909427, filed 2016-09, 23,993 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11691678, filed 2025-10, 140,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and unexpected airbag deployment

   • 43 complaints (17%)
   • median 41,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2025

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light flashing or staying on, sometimes tied to a passenger seat sensor or a loose connector, with dealers replacing sensors and wiring and the light returning. Some owners report side or seat airbags deploying with no impact while the engine was started or a door was closed, and others describe trouble getting recall work scheduled at the dealer. Several complaints reference the frontal inflator recalls for this model year. Reported from just a few thousand miles up to about 70,000 miles, and the light tends to appear without any prior warning.

   Recall 13V118000Recall 19V018000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V021000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Confirm the airbag recalls have been performed by looking up the VIN at a dealer, and check that the airbag light comes on briefly at start-up and then goes out. Ask whether any seat sensor or wiring harness work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was making a left turn from stop light at 10 MPH when I pressed the throttle just a little to proceed with a safe turn, the car started accelerating quickly and I lost control of the car and end up hitting the light pole. But before all that my buddy who happens to be a certified nissan mechanic have noticed that there was a weird noise on the engine. So yeah, this what happened with 2012 Dodge Challenger sxt .( I apologize for spelling and grammar ).p.s. The insurance company is refusing to pay for the damage unfortunately.”

   NHTSA complaint #10564502, filed 2014-02, 35,578 miles

   “The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that he started the engine, immediately exited the vehicle, and closed the driver's door. While the door was closing, the side curtain air bags and driver's seat air bag erroneously deployed. There were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11082056, filed 2018-03, 70,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering goes stiff or noisy

   • 32 complaints (13%)
   • median 38,100 mi at 3.8 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2024

   Owners describe the steering becoming very heavy or tight, most often in a left turn at low speed, sometimes with a rubber-on-rubber or whining noise from the front end. Complaints mention the electro-hydraulic pump being quoted for replacement and rack-and-pinion or hub bearing work, and in a few cases the steering effort came and went rather than staying bad. Reported across a wide range, from a few thousand to about 140,000 miles, usually during low-speed turns or parking maneuvers.

   Recall 17V435000

   What to check: Test the steering through slow full-lock turns in both directions on a quiet road and listen for noise. Ask whether the power steering pump or rack has been replaced, and check fluid level and condition if the car has a hydraulic system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “All of a sudden my power steering went out it's hard to steer the vehicle while making a left turn, on a city street with a lot of traffic and pedestrians. The road was dry. No indications that the car was having an issue prior to that. I checked the power steering fluid and the belt I don't hear a sound. I've asked several people about this issue and a lot of people have reported this as being a problem with the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11312288, filed 2020-02, 137,134 miles

   “Pulling out of my driveway, steering became very tight turning to the left,with a sound of rubber on rubber in the front end and steering column. When car was straight and accelerating forward the steering became normal. Progressively, the steering upon slowing down and turning corners was still to the right and less stiff to the left. My car has the electronic hydraulic power steering system. I was told that I needed a new ps pump at a cost of $1,434 for the part alone.”

   NHTSA complaint #11104501, filed 2018-06, 104,000 miles

Buying note. Look hard at the electrical side first — a battery that keeps going flat, a window that moves on its own, or charging-system repairs in the records are the things owners write about most. Confirm the airbag and alternator recall work was actually done on the VIN, and get a pre-purchase inspection that includes a charging-system check and a scan for stored codes.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.