2012 Dodge Challenger Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 7%of 253 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,605miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 7% of the 253 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,605 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am having difficulty shifting into gear at various speeds and when stopped. The problem is increasing in difficulty and causing safety issues when I try to downshift, or attempt to put into gear on a hill. I have viewed numerous posts from Challenger owners going back to model year 2009 with similar problems. All of these models use a tremec transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10679120, filed 2015-01, 36,150 miles“While driving on a two lane road, the car began to lose power and steering control. It became very difficult to get the car to a safe location. It turned out to be the alternator. I saw on this website the older 2012 cars challengers were recalled with the same engine and alternator. I was very lucky not to have crashed my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10658828, filed 2014-11, 53,210 miles“I received a recall notice regarding timing chain,casing,and guide I took vehicle in to dealership to have recall performed and after I picked up my vehicle 2 weeks later my engine slung a rod through my engine block when vehicle excellerated to 70 miles per hour now chrysler as well as dealership is refusing to repair my vehicle when the recall clearly state if the job is not performed correctly this could take place I was travelling on the highway when it blew with vehicles coming on both sides it was a two lane highway 278”
NHTSA complaint #10985657, filed 2017-05, 101,450 miles“I was driving along the road and approached a set of lights to make a left turn. While making the left turn, my ABS brake light and traction light started flickering, the interior instrument lights turned off, my sunroof and windows secured itself, my nav system shut off and the vehicle appeared to be failing. After pulling into a gas station and parking the vehicle, I shut the vehicle off and after a few seconds, turn the ignition on. The vehicle would not start up so towed it to the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10668943, filed 2014-12, 75,000 miles“Skip shift. This feature is already the cause of several near misses of me being rear-ended because from a stop, I am unexpectedly prevented from shifting from first into 2nd gear to maintain expected acceleration in traffic. I realize what the skip shift is intended for but in the real world of traffic, the skip shift feature is inherently dangerous and is a safety issue. When ever anyone is behind me at a stop or at a left or right turn, when its time to go, the skip shift feature puts me at risk of being rear ended every time it engages. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443598, filed 2012-01, 50 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228020Apr 2, 2022Customer Satisfaction Notification V51 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module
- 10212248Mar 30, 2022Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. Recommended…
- 10194007Apr 17, 2021No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
- 10221150Apr 16, 2021Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during…
- 10220843Mar 31, 2021NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then…
- 10190590Mar 31, 2021NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then…
- 10228120May 25, 2016Manual Transmission Shifter Noise This bulletin involves greasing or replacing the manual transmission rear shifter bushing. Customers may experience a clunk, squeak, or similar…
- 10181486May 25, 2016Manual Transmission Shifter Noise This bulletin involves greasing or replacing the manual transmission rear shifter bushing. Customers may experience a clunk, squeak, or similar…
- 10141286May 25, 2016Manual Transmission Shifter Noise This bulletin involves greasing or replacing the manual transmission rear shifter bushing. Customers may experience a clunk, squeak, or similar…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 11% |
| 2021 | 3 | 16% |
| 2020 | 3 | 15% |
| 2019 | 7 | 12% |
| 2018 | 8 | 11% |
| 2017 | 5 | 10% |
| 2016 | 16 | 21% |
| 2015 | 29 | 23% |
| 2014 | 12 | 8% |
| 2013 | 16 | 9% |
| 2012 | 17 | 7% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 36 | 12% |
| 2009 | 27 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Challenger
138 complaintsAir bags
47 complaintsEngine
25 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Challenger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology