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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Dodge Charger Electrical system Problems

Complaints
359about this part
Share
55%of 648 total for the year
Median mileage
64,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 359 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Dodge Charger, 55% of the 648 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 37 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving it and all of the sudden it shut down and I couldn't push the breaks and it started to smell like burnt wiring badly and I was in the middle of the road and ended up having to push it on to the side of the road and then leave it were it died for 2 days until finally I got ahold of a tow truck and now its sitting in my drive way dead.”

NHTSA complaint #11361040, filed 2020-09, 104,000 miles

“When starting my car the radio sometimes don't come on. I have to put the car in park shut off the car and restart it in order for the radio to come on. When driving and listening to the radio it goes in and out as if the dj is trying to block out profantiy but that's not the case. Also, when driving and I make a u-turn it feels as if the steering wheel is trying to lock up.”

NHTSA complaint #11373473, filed 2020-11, 159,000 miles

“I was leaving a mechanic shop after a tire change I entered the road n all of a sudden the battery light came on and the car just died on me I called the mechanic and he said it's the alternator he came and got it on his flat bed so I check to see if my car was on the recall list for the alternator and sure enough it was”

NHTSA complaint #11123924, filed 2018-09, 100,000 miles

“My alternator or starter went out my car stopped on me in the middle of the freeway. It would not turn over when I try to start. I had to get a tow truck to take the vehicle to my home. Also the front headlight harness burnt out and I had to put another obe which does not work sometimes”

NHTSA complaint #11317808, filed 2020-03, 3 miles

“Charger r/t. Battery saver mode came on and shuts off the car while driving. Not possible to restart. Took it to dealer 2months ago for the same issue, but they said everything is ok. It happened again today while I was driving and almost got into an accident. I've found a lot of people online with the same issue. This is very dangerous especially because it happens while in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #11012353, filed 2017-08, 46,053 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20231038%
2022425%
202126%
2020712%
20192218%
20184537%
20174838%
20162514%
20152216%
201410932%
201316746%
201235955%
201139557%
20107432%
20094526%
200839164%
2007509%
200614511%

Other parts of the 2012 Dodge Charger

Air bags
111 complaintsEngine
94 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
65 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsExterior lighting
52 complaintsBrakes
46 complaintsOther or unknown
38 complaintsElectronic stability control
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Dodge Charger

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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