2012 Dodge Charger Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 21, 2026 · 111 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,306 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (50% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Air bag: mentioned in 55 of 111 complaints (50%)
  • Wiring harness: mentioned in 8 of 111 complaints (7%)
  • Bags failed deploy: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 59 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles5 · 8%
10k–25k miles3 · 5%
25k–50k miles13 · 22%
50k–75k miles13 · 22%
75k–100k miles15 · 25%
100k–150k miles9 · 15%
150k+ miles1 · 2%

How serious are the reports?

Of 111 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 11 an injury.

Dodge Charger air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2008, with 124 complaints
2001: 1200112006: 1031032007: 772007772008: 1241242009: 452009452010: 59592011: 522011522012: 1111112013: 412013412014: 28282015: 122015122016: 992017: 5201752018: 552019: 492019492020: 36362021: 162021162022: 442023: 120231

n = 778 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2023 Charger14%—
2022 Charger425%11,000
2021 Charger1646%56,850
2020 Charger3663%59,000
2019 Charger4941%49,737
2018 Charger54%32,000
2017 Charger54%100,000
2016 Charger95%42,500
2015 Charger129%56,500
2014 Charger288%72,996
2013 Charger4111%45,000
2012 Charger11117%60,306
2011 Charger527%58,000
2010 Charger5925%85,000
2009 Charger4526%100,000
2008 Charger12420%92,500
2007 Charger7714%109,500
2006 Charger1038%100,000
2001 Charger133%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2017, with 29 complaints
2012: 3201232013: 772014: 122014122015: 14142016: 222016222017: 29292018: 5201852019: 552020: 3202032021: 112022: 4202242023: 222024: 1202412025: 222026: 120261

n = 111 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 15, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants 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 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveMay 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Air bags:side/window; seat beltsJul 27, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V467000 · 284,095 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.

Air bagsApr 3, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V118000 · 119,497 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

My airbag light comes on intermittently and when I called the dealership and told them they brushed it off as nothing. My car already had open recalls for the airbag and got fixed but it’s still having the same issues. I had the car since October of 2025 and there was no lights on when I financed…

Received May 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11739394

While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear…

Received Oct 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11695547

Can not put car into park i have took it to normals dealership and referred to me that it's a recall issue.

Received Sep 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11687977
Dodge Charger
24 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T - Shot at Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Gilbert AZ. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2012 Dodge Chargers have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints about air bags for the 2012 Dodge Charger (17% of the 648 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 Charger air bags?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do air bags problems start?

The median reported mileage is 60,306 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger?

The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 55 of 111 complaints, followed by “wiring harness” (8).

Other 2012 Dodge Charger problems

See all 2012 Dodge Charger problems or air bags problems across all Charger years.