Home · 2012 Dodge Challenger Srt Demon · Complaints

What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger Srt Demon

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (253)Crash / fire / injury (19)Electrical system (138)Airbags (47)Engine (25)Steering (19)Transmission & drivetrain (17)Brakes (9)Seat belts (8)Suspension (8)Visibility & wipers (8)Body & structure (7)

Newest first · 253 complaints · page 6 of 11

Nov 10, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10925334

Oct 26, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10919084

Oct 25, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH VOLTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI 10918752

Oct 20, 2016Airbags

TAKATA RECALL. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI 10917683

Oct 14, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JULY. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT AND VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10916142

Sep 24, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TOOK MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN AND BELT SO THEY REPLACED IT THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY LIGHT , ABS , TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON BY THE TIME I GOT TO WORK IT WOULD NOT RESTART. BATTERY WOULD NOT CHARGE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT IT MELTED THE JUMPER CABLE HANDLES.NO POWER WHAT SO EVER...2 SERVICE MEN CAME TO TOW ME AND THEY BOTH STATED IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL IT WOULD NOT CHARGE AT ALL... VERY DISCOURAGED SINCE IT ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ... I WAS STRANDED ON A CITY STREET FOR 4 HOURS WAITING IST PERSON LOCKSMITH/BATTERY CHARGER COULDNT JUMP IT SO HE LEFT THEN CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK...

NHTSA ODI 10909427

Sep 13, 2016Electrical system

WITH THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOVES UP AND DOWN WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. IT CONTINUES TILL THE BATTERY IS DEAD.

NHTSA ODI 10906205

Sep 10, 2016Electrical system

MY 2012 CHALLENGER RT V8 ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AT ABOUT 51,000 MILES. IT COST $600 TO REPLACE, BUT 7 WEEKS LATER I AM GETTING A LOW VOLTAGE ALERT AGAIN. I HAD IT TESTED AND THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. I'M AFRAID THIS CAR IS GOING TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE V6 WAS RECALLED FOR ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE SEEN WHERE SEVERAL OWNERS OF V8'S HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME THING I HAVE (LIGHTS DIMMING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAUSING RADIO LIGHTS TO DIM, WHINING SOUND UNDER HOOD, RANDOM LOW VOLTAGE ALERTS ON RADAR DETECTORS, THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPS RUNNING, EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN); NO RECALL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR THE V8 BUT I FEEL WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 10905158

Aug 12, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10895355

Aug 8, 2016Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MODULE WITHIN THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,500.

NHTSA ODI 10894193

Aug 2, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10892432

Jul 28, 2016Airbags

MY CAR HAS A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NO FIX AT THE MOMENT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THEY HAVE ONLY OFFERED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT. I CAN'T PARK THE CAR AS I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI 10889206

Jul 27, 2016Airbags

2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS RECALL NOTICE REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON MAY 31, 2013 AND IT WAS DETERMINED NO REPAIR WAS REQUIRED. DECEMBER 16, 2016 THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON APRIL 16, 2014 FOR THE SAME AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE. ON JUNE 24, 2016 THE DEALER FOUND FAULT CODE B1C2D. THEY SPLICED THE WIRES UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND REMOVED THE YELLOW FOUR-WAY SEAT WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DEALER CHARGED HIM A $100 UNDER HIS PROTECTION PLAN. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY STATED IT WAS AN AIR BAG RECALL ISSUE AND HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CHARGED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 13V118000. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10888360

Jul 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 10885652

Jul 15, 2016Seat belts

I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 7 MONTHS AGO FROM LOCKLEAR. CURRENT MILEAGE ON IT IS ABOUT 43,000 WHICH PUTS ME RIGHT OUTSIDE MY WARRANTY. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL RECENTLY. I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD UNBUCKLE MY SEAT BELT THAT IT WOULD TEND TO GET STUCK IN THE BUCKLE. A FEW DAYS LATER I'M LEAVING MY HOUSE TO DRIVE TO TOWN AND MY SEAT BELT WOULDN'T CLICK INTO THE BUCKLE NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRIED. I CHECK OUT THE BUCKLE AND APPARENTLY THE PIECE INSIDE OF IT BROKE AND NOW I CAN'T BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT AT ALL! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I ALWAYS WEAR MY SEAT BELT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND IT'S A COSTLY TICKET IF I GET PULLED OVER. I CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY SAY THE COST OF JUST THE BUCKLE ALONE WAS 200 AND THE LABOR WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TOO BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE MORE WORK TO TAKE THE SEAT COMPLETELY OUT. TOTAL IS NEARLY 350 JUST TO REPLACE A BUCKLE! UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE THAT KINDA MONEY TO SPEND SO I CAN'T GET MY BUCKLE FIXED OR WEAR A SEATBELT :(

NHTSA ODI 10885162

Jul 8, 2016Engine

I OWN A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT 8. CHRYSLER ISSUED 2 TSBS IN 2014 ABOUT THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE POSSIBLY FRACTURING, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK, AND RESULTING IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE. CHRYSLER WILL PAY FOR THE ENGINE DAMAGE IF THE CHAIN BREAKS IF IT OCCURS UNDER WARRANTY. BUT, THEY WILL NOT PAY TO REPLACE THE GUIDE TO PREVENT THE CHAIN FROM BREAKING. THESE TWO TSBS, NUMBERS CSN-P-01 AND 09-PO-11-82, AFFECT 2009 ' 2012 CHRYSLER 300S, AND DODGE CHARGERS AND CHALLENGERS. THE SECOND TSB SAYS IT AFFECTS A "NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF VEHICLES'. A DODGE SERVICE ADVISOR ADVISED THE OUT-OF-POCKET COST TO REPLACE THE GUIDE IS AROUND $2000. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL, NOT A TSB. THE REASON IS THAT WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL. THIS COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN A SERIOUS CRASH IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN THE SECOND OR THIRD LANE OF A BUSY 4 LANE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR. THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OVER TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS, AND IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS FOR THE DRIVER TO TRY TO RUN FROM THE VEHICLE TO A SHOULDER. IN 2015, CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2011 ' 2014 CHRYSLER VEHICLES BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR MAY SUDDENLY FAIL. IT STATES, 'IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.' SO, IF CHRYSLER ISSUED A RECALL BECAUSE AN ALTERNATOR MAY FAIL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN BREAKING DUE TO A GUIDE THAT MAY FRACTURE, WHICH WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL, HAS RESULTED IN ONLY TSBS BEING ISSUED AND NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THE ONLY REASON I CAN THINK OF IS THE COST OF TO THE MANUFACTURER TO REIMBURSE THE DEALERSHIPS FOR REPLACING AN ALTERNATOR VS. REPLACING A TIMING CHAIN GUIDE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT COMPLAINT BE REMOVED FROM THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 07/22/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 10883560

Jun 23, 2016Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 10876210

May 23, 2016Electrical systemAirbags

2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER IN LIBERTY TX, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. IF I WANT THE ISSUE FIXED DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $250 AND UP. THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

NHTSA ODI 10870342

Apr 21, 2016Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVING AND THE POWER SURGED, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, NONE OF MY GAUGES WORKED AND STEERING FELT EXTREMELY LOOSE. HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST SUMMER TO GET THIS FIXED L. AND NOW TWO MONTHS SINCE IT FINALLY WENT SOUTH AND HAVE STILL BEEN WAITING. WONDERFUL JOB BY THE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI 10860733

Apr 1, 2016AirbagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TIMING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V118000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 10852936

Mar 3, 2016Electrical systemVisibility & wipersLatches & locks

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOW INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,348. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10839730

Mar 2, 2016Electrical systemBrakesEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH START FEATURE DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE ABS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 10839441

Feb 2, 2016Electrical systemBrakes

THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE ALTERNTORS FOR ENTRY MODELS, MY CAR LOST ALL POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I COULD NOT STEER AND BRAKING BECAME DIFFICULT. I LOST MY HEADLIGHTS AS WELL. THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE AS WAS DESCRIBED IN OTHER'S REPORTS ON SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS AT ABOUT 65 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAVE THE CHALLENGER RT CLASSIC 5.7 LITER HEMI

NHTSA ODI 10823767

Jan 6, 2016Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS MOVED UP AND DOWN WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' BF

NHTSA ODI 10818387

Dec 31, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 10817199

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Working with the data? Download all 253 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Dodge Challenger Srt Demon verdict →