2012 Dodge Charger Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 359 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger, 55% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 64,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “saver mode” (11% of reports).
- 359electrical system complaints
- 64,000median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $1,250typical repair cost reported by owners
- 25%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.
- Saver mode: mentioned in 40 of 359 complaints (11%)
- Alternator failed: mentioned in 28 of 359 complaints (8%)
- Included electrical: mentioned in 26 of 359 complaints (7%)
- Chrysler jeep: mentioned in 20 of 359 complaints (6%)
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 Charger at $1,250, and half of them between $830 and $1,350.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2017), 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 282 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 359 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 37 a fire, 3 an injury.
Dodge Charger electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Charger | 1 | 50% | 190 |
| 2024 Charger | 1 | 100% | — |
| 2023 Charger | 10 | 38% | 25,000 |
| 2022 Charger | 4 | 25% | 93,000 |
| 2021 Charger | 2 | 6% | 256 |
| 2020 Charger | 6 | 11% | 2,975 |
| 2019 Charger | 22 | 18% | 16,000 |
| 2018 Charger | 45 | 37% | 38,975 |
| 2017 Charger | 48 | 38% | 38,000 |
| 2016 Charger | 25 | 14% | 62,500 |
| 2015 Charger | 22 | 16% | 52,600 |
| 2014 Charger | 109 | 32% | 52,000 |
| 2013 Charger | 167 | 46% | 58,000 |
| 2012 Charger | 359 | 55% | 64,000 |
| 2011 Charger | 395 | 57% | 57,000 |
| 2010 Charger | 74 | 32% | 100,000 |
| 2009 Charger | 45 | 26% | 95,000 |
| 2008 Charger | 391 | 64% | 99,150 |
| 2007 Charger | 50 | 9% | 87,500 |
| 2006 Charger | 145 | 11% | 91,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
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.
Service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/module; electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 300 and dodge charger vehicles. These vehicles may lose abs/esc system function due to an overheated power distribution center.
Risk: This could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the abs/esc system fuse, free of charge. The safety recall began on may 18, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module; exterior lighting:headlights; electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 and 2012 DODGE CHARGER POLICE VEHICLES. THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS OF SOME VEHICLES COULD FAIL DUE TO AN OVERHEATED BULB HARNESS CONNECTOR. OTHER VEHICLES MAY LOSE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUNCTION DUE TO AN OVERHEATED POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.
Risk: This could lead to loss of visibility and/or braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and relocate the abs/esc system fuse within the power distribution center, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 2, 2012. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Headlight pigtail assembly burned out as described in the 2014 safety recall. 14V-101 / P08 Recall Summary The wiring sub-harnesses for the headlights may overheat, and the low beam headlights may fail. Dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and bulbs or the headlight assemblies as…
My vehicle has been experiencing electrical issues causing my radio to cut off and my car to cut off and lose power while driving. When the car is moving and loses power it's causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.
Says that my car is simply just dead smells like gas when trying to start up and shakes but doesnât start up
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Dodge Chargers have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 359 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2012 Dodge Charger (55% 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 electrical system?
Yes: 4 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 64,000 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 Charger?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,250 (half paid between $830 and $1,350), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2012 Dodge Charger?
The most frequent phrase is “saver mode”, in 40 of 359 complaints, followed by “alternator failed” (28).
Other 2012 Dodge Charger problems
- Air Bags problems (111)
- Engine problems (94)
- Power Train problems (65)
- Steering problems (53)
- Exterior Lighting problems (52)
See all 2012 Dodge Charger problems or electrical system problems across all Charger years.