Home · 2012 Dodge Challenger Srt · Complaints

What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger Srt

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)

19 of 253 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Oct 9, 2020EngineFire

LEFT CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AT 144,XXX OCT 18 2018. CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED AGAIN UNDER THE SAME WARRANTY AT 160XXX SEPTEMBER 2020. AFTER REPAIR DEALER STATED THAT THE RIGHT HEAD HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. CHRYSLER AUTHORIZES 9 HOURS OF SERVICE LABOR FOR DIAGNOSIS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY X56 . THE WARRANTY ALSO AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT HEAD COVER AND GASKET IF REQUIRED. WHEN I BROUGHT UP THIS FINE PRINT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT CHRYSLER WOULD NOT COVER ANYTHING ELSE. IT TOOK CALLING FOR OVER A MONTH STRAIGHT FOR THEM TO FINALLY AUTHORIZE THE WARRANTY WORK BASED ON THE UPDATED 2014 BULLETIN THAT ADDED THE RIGHT SIDE TO THE WARRANTY.I WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET 2000$ TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THEY TOLD ME IT WASNT. I AGREED TO PAY AND THEY REFUSED TO TAKE THE CAR IN. I ASKED THEM TO PUT IT IN WRITING THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS TOLD I WAS NOT WELCOME THERE. I AM A DISABLED ARMY VETERAN AND I USE DRIVING AS MY THERAPY. MY CAR HAS BEEN NON OP FOR OVER A MONTH NOW. NOW THAT CHRYSLER HAS VERIFIED EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID THE WHOLE TIME IT'S TOO LATE BECAUSE NOW THE DEALERSHIPS AROUND TOWN WONT TOUCH THE CAR BASED ON THE BELIEF CHRYSLER WONT COVER IT. CHRYSLER SAID TO ME TONS OF TIMES THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT TOOK THEM FINDING THE UPDATED BULLETIN. I DONT BLAME THE DEALERSHIPS I BLAME CHRYSLER. HOW CAN YOU REPLACE ONE HEAD AT 144K AND EXPECT THE OLD HEAD TO WORK WELL WITH IT. THE LEFT HEAD IS A WAY TO GET PEOPLE IN THE SHOP FOR A FREE LEFT SIDE HEAD THAT CAUSES MORE DAMAGE. IT'S LIKE PUTTING AN OLD TIRE WITH A NEW ONE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ASKING FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADS. CHRYSLER CLAIMED IT DOESN'T CAUSE THE VEHICLES TO FAIL AND IT DOES LIKE MINE DID ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11363648

Jan 27, 2020Electrical systemFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE OUT OF THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WITH A DIME LODGED IN THE HOLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY TO ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO POUR SODA ON THE FLAMES ALONG WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO NO AVAIL. HOWEVER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 *TP *DT

NHTSA ODI 11302281

Aug 21, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS DETECTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND FLAMES WERE DETECTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RECOVERY TOW LOT WAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED BY THE VEHICLES INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11245469

Jun 13, 2018Fuel systemFire

FUEL LEAK: AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP LEAKS WHEN OVER 14 GALLONS IN TANK. CAUSING FIRE TO ROAD, NOT VEHICLE. 62,000 MI WHEN LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED. *DT CONSUMER STATED SAW CRACKS IN THE FIBERGLASS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, WIRE WAS EXPOSED. UPDATED 12/6/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11101764

Feb 13, 2018Electrical systemFire

FIRE: ON DECEMBER 27, 2017 MY CAR WAS IDLING OUTSIDE MY SISTERS HOUSE WHEN SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE TRUNK, WE RAN AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FOUND THE BATTERY AND WIRING HARNESS BURNT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND HENDRICKS HOVER DODGE TO GET IT REPAIRED. FIRST THEY COULDN'T FIND MY CAR FOR A BOUT A WEEK, THEN THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE DON'T THIS FRIDAY AND SINCE THEN I HAVE RECEIVER 2 SALES CALLS TRYING TO GET ME TO TRADE IN MY 2012 DODGE. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN AND WHY HAS IT BEEN AT HENDRICKS SINCE JANUARY 22 AND STILL NOT FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11072712

Oct 4, 2017Speed controlCrash

I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT (45MPH) WHEN THE WHOLE PEDAL JUST SNAPPED. UPON SNAPPING THE ACCELERATOR HUNG UP. CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND GO DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND DAMAGING THE WHOLE CAR .

NHTSA ODI 11031648

May 6, 2017Electrical systemCrash1 injury

TRACKTION LIGHT CAME ON(LITTLE CAR WITH TIRE TRACKS) THEN DEAD, WON'T HOLD A CHARGE.EXCACT SAME THING IS HAPPING TO THOUSANDS. ALTERNATOR REPLACED @ DODGE/$1,000. THERE'S A RECALL, (P60) 2011-2014/DODGE CHALLENGER'S THE ALTERNATER 160 AMP IS DEFECTIVE! SO WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY???? BECAUSE (THEY) ARE ONLY REPLACING THEM ON 3.6 L ENGINES NOT 5.7 L LIKE MINE!SO I GUESS IT'S ONLY DEFECTIVE WHEN U HAVE A SMALLER ENGINE? I PAID MORE$ FOR MY ENGINE SO I GUESS THEY THINK A DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR IS GOING TO SOME HOW WORK? WELL IT DOSNT! MY QUESTION IS DID THEY PUT THE NEW AND IMPROVED ALTERNATOR ON MINE? OR DO I JUST HAVE TO PRAY THIS ONE DOSNT GO OUT AGAIN, ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT! EVER BEEN COMING DOWN THE GRAPEVINE AT 70 MPH AND YOUR CAR GOES DEAD? NO STEERING NO BRAKES, IT'S LIKE AN E TICKET RIDE AT DISNEYLAND😳SO IF U BUY A CHALLENGER MAKE SURE U GET 3.6L BECAUSE THEY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR FOR FREE! IF YOU DON'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FIRST! NO ONE SEEMS TO B WORRIED ABOUT THIS, BUT IF U OWN A CHALLENGER BE CAREFUL....... I CAN'T REALLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ON FORM, THEY ARE YES AND NO,,,,,,,,, THIS WHOLE THING IS VERY GREY.

NHTSA ODI 10983835

Feb 8, 2017Crash

I TIRED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND GET OUT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING. BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTIER DESIGN IT WENT TO 'R' AND NOT PARK CAUSING THE CAR TO START REVERSING AS I WAS GETTING OUT. I WAS ABLE TO JUMP BACK IN AND HIT THE BREAKS BUT THE CAR DOOR HIT THE GARAGE WALL AND MESSED UP NOT ONLY MY CAR DOOR BUT THE WALL.

NHTSA ODI 10950381

Nov 18, 2015SuspensionAirbagsBody & structureCrash2 injuries

INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION,THE OTHERS DRIVE WAS ON OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT US HEAD ON , THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND SENT ME INTO THE DASH BOARD ALONG WITH THE DRIVER , I SUSTAINED SEVERE WHIPLASH AND SO DID THE DRIVER WE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND I AM NOW J SERGIO G PHYSICAL THERAPY DUE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING, THE CAR WAS INVOLVE IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT WEEKS LATER WHERE THE CAR WAS HIT TWICE INTENTIONALLY AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY THEN EITHER .

NHTSA ODI 10794550

Mar 12, 2015Electrical systemFire

RECEIVED NOTICE OF ALTERNATOR RECALL IN DECEMBER 2014. ALTERNATOR FAILED IN OCTOBER AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER AT MY EXPENSE. NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE. I HAVE REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT AS REQUIRED BY THE RECALL NOT THREE TIMES WITH NO RESPONSE FROM CHRYSLER. RECALL NOTICE SAID PAYMENT WOULD BE MADE WITH 60 DAYS. IT'S BEEN OVER 90 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10693955

Jan 26, 2015EngineFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SMOKE FUMES STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE LOST HER VOICE DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 10679041

Jan 22, 2015Electrical systemFire

SUDDEN ALTERNATOR FAILURE RESULTING IN CAR NEARLY CATCHING FIRE, BATTERY FRIED. PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIR AND RENTAL CAR. 2ND ALTERNATOR SUDDEN FAILURE AGAIN < 6 MONTHS LATER, AND BATTERY FRIED AGAIN. DEALER EXPECTS ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AGAIN AND JUST WAIT ON A REMEDY AND I WOULD EVENTUALLY GET REIMBURSED. NOT ALL OF US HAVE MONEY TO THROW AROUND. I'M A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO KIDS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD END UP CAUSING A BAD ACCIDENT. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678406

Sep 8, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CORE AND AIR BAG AND CLEARED THE FAILURE CODE. DURING THE SECOND REPAIR, THE DEALER REPLACED A LOOSE WIRE AND THE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FLASHING WARNING SENSOR INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS LATER NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V118000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT OR DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL REPAIR WAS REQUIRED AFTER THE TWO PREVIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION IF THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND PELVIC PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR FURTHER INSPECTION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN UPDATED 5/13/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10631510

Mar 26, 2014AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE FRONT END. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 10574961

Feb 15, 2014AirbagsBody & structureSpeed controlCrash

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM "STOP LIGHT" AT 10 MPH WHEN I PRESSED THE THROTTLE JUST A LITTLE TO PROCEED WITH A SAFE TURN, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING QUICKLY AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND END UP HITTING THE LIGHT POLE. BUT BEFORE ALL THAT MY BUDDY WHO HAPPENS TO BE A CERTIFIED "NISSAN" MECHANIC HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A WEIRD NOISE ON THE ENGINE. SO YEAH, THIS WHAT HAPPENED WITH 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER SXT .( I APOLOGIZE FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR ).P.S. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE UNFORTUNATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10564502

Jun 14, 2013SuspensionCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND DOOR WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND RIB INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CASTING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10519825

Jan 24, 2013AirbagsSeat beltsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S FACE STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN A FRACTURED NOSE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 10494591

Dec 11, 2012SteeringSpeed controlBrakesFuel systemCrash

2012 DODGE CHALLENGER GOING 10 MPH IN PARKING LOT, TURNING RIGHT INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, AND STUCK ITSELF AT FULL THROTTLE SPEED, BRAKES FAILED, POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR HIT AND WENT UP ON CONCRETE BARRIER. BOUNCED BACK, STALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487955

May 10, 2012AirbagsCrash

I WAS REARENDED, (AT 4200 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE), WHILE AT A DEAD STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT BY A FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING AT 45 MPH PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER HAULING APPROXIMATELY 6000 - 7000 POUNDS WHICH HIT MY 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER IN THE RIGHT REAREND PUSHING ME INTO THE BACK END OF A NISSAN ALTIMA, AND NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY CHALLENGER. I HAD A PRIOR PROBLEM WITH THE CHALLENGER AT APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHERE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID WAS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FROM THE FACTORY IN THE DRIVERS SEAT FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, AND AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED SAID FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IT TURNED THE WARNING LIGHT OFF PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 4200 MILES ON MY VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE REAR AND MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE IMPACT. AGAIN NOT ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO STATED TO ME WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR OF THE WARNING LIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THAT THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THESE NEW CHALLENGERS OF A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FROM THE FACTORY CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. I CAN ONLY BE LED TO BELIEVE AT THIS TIME THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY THE WIRING HARNESS BUT THAT THERE IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING DURING MY BEING REARENDED AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND NOT ONE AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND LIFE THREATENING AND NOW I AM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS SAFE THAN STATED IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10458059

Working with the data? Download all 253 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 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 verdict →