2012 Dodge Challenger Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 55,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “side window” (18% of reports).
- 138electrical system complaints
- 55,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $840typical repair cost reported by owners
- 27%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Side window: mentioned in 25 of 138 complaints (18%)
- Smart glass: mentioned in 10 of 138 complaints (7%)
- Draining battery: mentioned in 9 of 138 complaints (7%)
- Included electrical: mentioned in 7 of 138 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the 2012 Dodge Challenger at $840, and half of them between $710 and $1,350.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2020), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 106 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 138 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury.
Dodge Challenger electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Challenger | 6 | 14% | 29,851 |
| 2022 Challenger | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2021 Challenger | 4 | 21% | — |
| 2020 Challenger | 7 | 35% | 2,000 |
| 2019 Challenger | 17 | 29% | 4,475 |
| 2018 Challenger | 28 | 37% | 5,050 |
| 2017 Challenger | 16 | 33% | 39,250 |
| 2016 Challenger | 15 | 19% | 14,500 |
| 2015 Challenger | 26 | 21% | 49,575 |
| 2014 Challenger | 62 | 42% | 40,127 |
| 2013 Challenger | 104 | 58% | 47,150 |
| 2012 Challenger | 138 | 55% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Challenger | 103 | 53% | 54,000 |
| 2010 Challenger | 68 | 23% | 46,000 |
| 2009 Challenger | 21 | 16% | 50,550 |
| 2008 Challenger | 4 | 40% | 33,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like itâs in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then back into drive and pray that it goes. It…
2012 Challenger SRT8 TIPM is this issue and there is no recall for this, while it should due to being a major part of the electrical system that controls all aspects of the safety system. Also now I am being told Dodge does NOT make this part any longer....how is that possible. This IS a recall for…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Dodge Challengers have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 138 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2012 Dodge Challenger (55% of the 253 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Dodge Challenger electrical system?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 55,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
Owners report a typical cost of $840 (half paid between $710 and $1,350), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2012 Dodge Challenger?
The most frequent phrase is “side window”, in 25 of 138 complaints, followed by “smart glass” (10).
See all 2012 Dodge Challenger problems or electrical system problems across all Challenger years.