Home · 2012 Dodge Challenger · Complaints

What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger

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)

47 of 253 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Oct 6, 2025Electrical systemAirbagsEngine

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 wiring. Additionally, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact was aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted for the recall repair, but no assistance was provided. The used car dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11691678

Jun 4, 2024Airbags

Air bag failure indicator is on after other clock spring related issue (radio volume increases when steering wheel turns) started. Air bags no longer appear to be in working order after apparent click spring failure. Part has not been replaced to confirm.

NHTSA ODI 11592384

Dec 23, 2019Parking BrakeAirbagsEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PREMIER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM FIAT (13000 I-10 SERVICE RD, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128) WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS REPAIRED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE LEAK REPAIRED, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE HONORED. AFTER THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS TURNED OFF, IT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11290946

Nov 15, 2019Airbags

AIR BAG ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATOR OF A BREAK IN THE CIRCUIT. THE FACT IT COMES OFF AND ON LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS A CONNECTION SOMEWHERE BEING JARRED. THE ISSUE SIMULATES THE ISSUES ALREADY ADDRESSED IN ANOTHER RECALL. HOWEVER, THE YEAR MODEL FALLS OUT OF THE RANGE BY ONE YEAR AS PREVIOUSLY CITED YEAR MODELS. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO OTHER YEAR MODELS OF THE CHALLENGER MAKE. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TRAVELING. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE OWNING THE CAR. A PREVIOUS REPORT HAS GONE UN-INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI 11280347

Jun 26, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (AIR BAGS). WITHIN ONE WEEK OF ED VOYLES CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (789 COBB PKWY SE, MARIETTA, GA 30060, (844) 715-5921) SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE REPAIR FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST, INDICATING THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED AND THEN REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11222784

Jan 21, 2019AirbagsSeat beltsVisibility & wipers

DEALER IS TELLING ME THAT THE DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HARNESS IS NOT RECALLED ONLY PASSENGER SIDE? AIRBAG HARNESS WAS DIAGNOSED DEFECTIVE AND IDIOT LIGHT IS ON. BECAUSE THIS IS RT MODEL IT IS OMITTED FROM RECALL??? PLEASE ADD RT MODEL TO RECALL! THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11171154

Mar 29, 2018Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE, IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND CLOSED THE DRIVER'S DOOR. WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSING, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2013 FOR THE SAME FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V118000 (AIR BAGS)). THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11082056

Jan 16, 2018Airbags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES. HAD THE DEALER PERFORM REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. LATER HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED, STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.

NHTSA ODI 11063086

Dec 1, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVE LANDERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (401 COLONEL GLENN PLAZA LOOP, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72210 (501) 374-4848), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AWAITING INSPECTION AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE ALLOWED 4-6 WEEKS TO PROCESS THE CLAIM AND HAVE AN ENGINEER DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11051721

Nov 20, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT MY CAR HAS DEFECT AIR BAG INFLATORS.HAVE CALLED MY DEALER 2 TIMES AN SAY THAT THE MAKER HAS NOT PUT ANY INFOR FOR THEM TO FIX..HOW DO I MAKE MAKERS DO THIS SO THEY CAN FIX MY CAR

NHTSA ODI 11047614

May 23, 2017Airbags

2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAD BEEN OVER 1 YEAR AND THE RECALL PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10981888

Apr 13, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V118000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE RECALLS AND WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY WORK UNTIL MANDATED BY NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,100. ..UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI 10972263

Mar 23, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10968024

Mar 22, 2017Airbags

TAKATA RECALL FOR MY DODGE CHALLENGER HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. WHY? WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE FIXED? IT ENDANGERS MY PASSENGER/S EVERY TIME THEY ARE IN MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10967845

Feb 14, 2017Electrical systemAirbags

HELLO, I PURCHASED A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER SXT FROM CLOVIS CHRYSLER DODGE AUGUST 2013. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH IS ON RECALL BE REPLACED BY CLOVIS DODGE IN FEBRUARY OF 2015 AS WELL AS FEBRUARY OF 2017. I ATTEMPTED TO TRADE-IN MY VEHICLE ON 02/13/17, BUT THE DEALERSHIP MADE ME AWARE THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR, NHTSA RECALL #16V-352: TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THEY DO NOT TAKE RECALL VEHICLES AS A TRADE IN. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND NOW I AM IN A POSITION WHERE I CANNOT TRADE IN MY VEHICLE . I AM TRYING TO GET A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO HAVING A BABY ON THE WAY AND NOW THIS CAR PUTS ME INTO A POSITION TO WHERE I SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT WHEN I NEED TO GET RID OF IT, OR I JUST KEEP IT AND WAIT FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE TO DO.

NHTSA ODI 10954461

Feb 1, 2017Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10948904

Jan 23, 2017Airbags

TAMARA RECALL TAKING TO LONG TO REPLACE AIR BAG

NHTSA ODI 10947268

Dec 21, 2016Airbags

IT IS BEEN 6 MONTHS WE ARE WAITING FOR PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL

NHTSA ODI 10936798

Dec 9, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10934196

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 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

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 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

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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 verdict →