Is the 2012 Dodge CHARGER reliable?

The 2012 Dodge CHARGER has 957 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Dodge CHARGER?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (365 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (111 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (97 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Dodge CHARGER?

Yes, there are 14 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STRUCTURE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Dodge dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Dodge CHARGER?

The 2012 Dodge CHARGER has an EPA rating of 21 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3659. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Dodge CHARGER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Dodge CHARGER is approximately $1,964/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2012 Dodge CHARGER qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Dodge CHARGER may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Dodge CHARGER

Q: Is the 2012 Dodge CHARGER often stolen?

The Dodge CHARGER was the #20 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 5,100 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Dodge CHARGER has 957 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.9x the segment average of 194. The most common issue is electrical problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: car malfunctioned twice at high rate of speeds within days of each other. extremely dangerous driving conditions. car currently being towed again but not fixed.received recall notice approximately 15 hours after car fixed first time, indicating the recall was a known problem because of timeframe. no. There are 14 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 69 fire reports filed.

69 fire reports 33 crash reports 22 injuries

957

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

4.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

365 complaints

38%

• CAR MALFUNCTIONED TWICE AT HIGH RATE OF SPEEDS WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR CURRENTLY BEING TOWED AGAIN BUT NOT FIXED.RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS AFTER CAR FIXED FIRST TIME, INDICATING THE RECALL WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TIMEFRAME. NO
• WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE ON MAY 6 , 2013, TWO HOURS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND HOOKED IT TO THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. PROCEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ON MAY 7TH 2013 WHERE THEY RAN A TEST AND FOUND CODE P0741 -U0002- CHECKED FOR CONTAMINATED FLUI
• 2012 DODGE CHARGER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE CONTINUES TO GO OUT. I HAVE A MELTED/FRIED HARNESS AND EXPOSED WIRING. HAS BEEN GOING OUT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAVE TO REPLACE BULBS CONTINUOUSLY BOTH OEM AND AFTER MARKET BULBS. THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, ESPECIALL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 39 fire reports💥 8 crashes

“CAR MALFUNCTIONED TWICE AT HIGH RATE OF SPEEDS WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR CURRENTLY BEING TOWED AGAIN BUT NOT FIXED.RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS AFTER CAR FIXED FIRST TIME, INDICATING THE RECALL WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TIMEFRAME. NO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Dodge CHARGER

Based on 718 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

250

60-100K

267

100-150K

114

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 40K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 39K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 80K mi · 76 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 59 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 48K mi · 38 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

Reported earliermedian 55K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (14)

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

#20 most stolen in 2025

The Dodge CHARGER was the #20 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Muscle car; frequently targeted for engine

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.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Dodge CHARGER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,626

Per month

$302

Per mile

30.2¢

kWh/mi

1.60

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Dodge CHARGER

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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,964

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$638

vs US avg

+17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1964

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 CHARGER, 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.

EV Incentives for 2012 Dodge CHARGER

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~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 957 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR MALFUNCTIONED TWICE AT HIGH RATE OF SPEEDS WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. CAR CURRENTLY BEING TOWED AGAIN BUT NOT FIXED.RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE APPROXIMATELY 15 HOURS AFTER CAR FIXED FIRST TIME, INDICATING THE RECALL WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BECAUSE OF TIMEFRAME. NO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: MY CHARGER HAS 2,317 MILES. DURING DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON WITH A CHIME. THE LIGHT CONTINUE ON. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURNED ON AGAIN AND THE LIGHT CONTINUE. I STOP USING THE CAR SINCE I HEARD THAT THE AIR BAG WHEN THIS OCCURRED SHUT DOWN AND DON'T WORK AND IF I HAVE ANY ACCIDENT, I AM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I HAVE A 2012 DODGE CHARGER RT HEMI WITH 5.7L. THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WITH ABOUT 5-6 INCHES OF WATER LEFT BY A HEAVY RAIN. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING SLOW, FOLLOWING A PROCESSION OF VEHICLES WHICH ALL HAD SUCCESSFULLY DRIVEN THROUGH. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER THE ENGIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 DODGE CHARGER ON MARCH 23, 2012. SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED THE CAR HAD A HARD SHIFT WHEN I SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND DRIVE), AND I COULD HEAR A LOUD POP WHEN I WAS SHIFTING. I THOUGHT THE LOUD POP WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 14 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)