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Dodge

2012 Dodge CHALLENGER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge CHALLENGER has 338 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.9x the segment average of 115. The most common issue is electrical problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: the challenger srt8 is not equipped with a dash illumination system, which comes on, during normal daytime driving. the instruments (speedometer, tachometer) are only illuminated during operation of the parking or headlamps function. the gauges are somewhat recessed and are only partially visible d. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 12 crash reports 10 injuries

338

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

140 complaints
41%
  • • THE CHALLENGER SRT8 IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DASH ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, WHICH COMES ON, DURING NORMAL DAYTIME DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER) ARE ONLY ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF THE PARKING OR HEADLAMPS FUNCTION. THE GAUGES ARE SOMEWHAT RECESSED AND ARE ONLY PARTIALLY VISIBLE D
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD FLICKER FROM DIM TO MAXIMUM ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED
  • • CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK, AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON MULTIPLE TIMES . TAKEN TO DEALER / SHOP FOR REPAIR . CRUISE CONTROL WORKS NOW. STILL PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT RATES OF SPEED. HAS BEEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES (AT LEAST 4 TIMES) FOR AIRBAG IS SUES
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“THE CHALLENGER SRT8 IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DASH ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, WHICH COMES ON, DURING NORMAL DAYTIME DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER) ARE ONLY ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF THE PARKING OR HEADLAMPS FUNCTION. THE GAUGES ARE SOMEWHAT RECESSED AND ARE ONLY PARTIALLY VISIBLE D”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge CHALLENGER

Based on 262 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
53
30-60K
91
60-100K
71
100-150K
38
150-200K
4
200K+
5

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 36K mi · 27 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
8
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 28K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
2
60-100K
2
100-150K
4
150-200K
1
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 38K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SUSPENSION

Reported earliermedian 6K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
0
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 108 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
48
60-100K
34
100-150K
12
150-200K
1
200K+
3

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 14 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
5
60-100K
2
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
2

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

High theft risk

#24 most stolen in 2025

The Dodge CHALLENGER was the #24 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Muscle car; engine and body parts

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge CHALLENGER

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,201/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge CHALLENGER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$2,745
Full coverage / month
$229
Liability only / year
$794
vs US avg
+64%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (coupe-muscle)1.55x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$2745

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2012 CHALLENGER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 338 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: THE CHALLENGER SRT8 IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A DASH ILLUMINATION SYSTEM, WHICH COMES ON, DURING NORMAL DAYTIME DRIVING. THE INSTRUMENTS (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER) ARE ONLY ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF THE PARKING OR HEADLAMPS FUNCTION. THE GAUGES ARE SOMEWHAT RECESSED AND ARE ONLY PARTIALLY VISIBLE D

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: I WAS REARENDED, (AT 4200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE), WHILE AT A DEAD STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BY A FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING AT 45 MPH PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER HAULING APPROXIMATELY 6000 - 7000 POUNDS WHICH HIT MY 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER IN THE RIGHT REAREND PUSHING ME INTO THE BACK END OF A NI

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: 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 B

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    OTHER: LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING HIS 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER THAT STATES BAY DODGE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL AND WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO NOTIFY THEM; REF: (ATTN: JOSIAH MANZO) *TGW

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge CHALLENGER — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2023
49Above Average
2022
11Excellent Reliability
2021
26Excellent Reliability
2020
33Excellent Reliability
2019
93Average
2018
115Average
2017
70Above Average
2016
109Average
2015
185Average
2014
213Below Average
2013
251Below Average
2012
338Avoid This Year
2011
255Below Average
2010
433Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
338
Recalls
6
Fire reports
7
Crash reports
12
Injury reports
10
Segment avg
115

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Dodge CHALLENGER

Compare With

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