FaultScore

2012 Dodge Challenger electrical problems

140 of the 338 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Challenger are about the electrical system — 41% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 55,000 miles.

F

140

Complaints

1

Crashes

4

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 131 93.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 7 5.0%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 1.4%

Electrical System across every Dodge Challenger year

2009 21 3.5%
2010 69 11.5%
2011 104 17.4%
2012 140 23.4%
2013 104 17.4%
2014 60 10.0%
2015 26 4.3%
2016 15 2.5%
2017 16 2.7%
2018 27 4.5%
2019 17 2.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 140,000 miles Lansing, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 complaint #11691678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Centertown, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like it’s in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then back into drive and pray that it goes. It doesn’t kick into gear like it should all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power won’t even work. It’s an electric. and pray that it goes. It doesn’t kick into gear like it should alternator all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power. Siri won’t even work. It’s an electrical nobody can get anything to fix it and now we’re out of state and it broke down again. It is so dangerous recently, the belt came off of it while I was driving and it caused liquids to explode and almost caused fire

NHTSA complaint #11582712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2012 Challenger SRT8 TIPM is this issue and there is no recall for this, while it should due to being a major part of the electrical system that controls all aspects of the safety system. Also now I am being told Dodge does NOT make this part any longer....how is that possible. This IS a recall for other Dodge models, why not mine

NHTSA complaint #11471169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Window keeps going up and down fixed it at the shop the door lock actuator is the problem had passenger side fixed now the driver side is doing it which is draining my battery seems like a lot of cars have this issue

NHTSA complaint #11445154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Wayne, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS WOULD BE THE 3 OR 4 TIME WITH THIS ISSUE AND I HADE TO REPLACE PART AND FIX IT. DRIVER SIDE SMART WINDOW STOPS WORKING IT WON'T GO DOWN WHEN OPENING DOOR CAUSING YOU TO FORCE DOOR OPEN AND NOW DOOR CAN NOT CLOSE CORRECTLY

NHTSA complaint #11414049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,567 miles Kennewick, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE WINDOW SENSORS GO OUT AND ALL OF THE CONTROLS AT THE STEERING WHEEL. WINDOWS STOP ROLLING UP ON THEIR OWN SO CLOSE THE DOOR AND LEAVES 1/4INCH GAP. SOMETIMES STAYS ALL THE WAY UP SO WINDOW HITS DOOR JAM. DOES THIS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTROL WON'T WORK, TURN SIGNALS WON'T WORK. CHECKED ALL FUSES AND TRIED HARD RESET SND THAT DIDN'T WORK. SOMETIMES THEY WILL START WORKING AGAIN AND THEN JUST STOP AGAIN. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON.

NHTSA complaint #11407298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Grand Prarie, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME SHE TURNED OFF HER VEHICLE SHE HAD TO UNPLUG HER BATTERY BECAUSE THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SMART SWITCH IN HER WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS DID NOT COMPLETELY CLOSE AND AS A RESULT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OVERHEATED THE VEHICLE AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FREEDOM CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM BY ED MORSE 815 E CAMP WISDOM RD, DUNCANVILLE, TX 75116 888) 331-8981 AND THEY SAID TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY ALSO SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WITH CONTACT HAVING TO BUY NEW BATTERIES TO BE ABLE TO START HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AND REFERRED HER TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11373425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6 miles Phoenix, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LATCH /MOTOR FOR WINDOW GOING UP AND DOWN BY ITSELF DRIVER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE OWNERS I JUST PAID 563 DOLLARS FOR DEALER TO REPLACE LATCH SO IT WON'T DRAIN MY BATTERY AND LEAVE ME STRANDED.

NHTSA complaint #11331102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Biscayne Park, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. A SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED IN THE CAR, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S WINDOW TO LOWER AND RAISE 1/4" EVERY 30 SECONDS OR SO. THIS DRAINED THE BATTERY AND LEFT US STRANDED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS THE SMART GLASS SWITCH THAT FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES AND DODGE ISSUED A RECALL FOR ONLY 2011 MODEL YEARS LEAVING THE REST OF US IN JEOPARDY OF BEING STRANDED AND TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR A FIX AND POSSIBLE ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED FOR A NEW BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11329885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Lehigh Acres, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GOES UP AND DOWN ABOUT A 1/4 OF AN INCH ON IT'S OWN WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND NO ONE IS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY AND I NEEDED TO BE JUMPED TO GET IT TO THE MECHANIC. I SAW ON LINE WHERE THIS WAS A RECALL FOR 2010 ,2011 AND SOME 2012 MODELS. THIS HAPPENED ON APRIL 7TH.

NHTSA complaint #11321167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arvin, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PASSENGER WINDOW WILL GO DOWN ABOUT 1/4 OF AN INCH EVERY 10 SECONDS WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED AND VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED. THIS CAUSED BATTERY TO DRAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11317953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Ontario, CA Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11302281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Plainfield, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH OR WITHOUT THE KEY FOB IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND NEEDED TO BE JUMPSTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA complaint #11270963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Pacoima, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I INITIALLY GOT MY ALTERNATOR CHANGED BY MY OWN MECHANIC BEFORE THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THE ALTERNATOR. THEN SOME TIME LAST YEAR 2018 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS. WHILE MY CAR WAS AT DODGE THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RECALL ON MY ALTERNATOR STILL HADN'T BEEN CLEARED SINCE I NEVER CHANGED IT WITH DODGE SO I WAS LIKE WHAT THE HECK WHY NOT JUST GET A BRAND NEW ONE THROUGH DODGE THIS TIME WHILE THEY'RE REPAIRING WHATEVER NEEDED TO BE DONE WITH MY AIR BAGS. FAST FORWARD TO JULY OF 2019 I TOOK MY CAR IN TO DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME SHAKING WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK AND FOR THE GEARS NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING. MY RPMS WERE GOING WAY TOO HIGH BEFORE THE NEXT GEAR WOULD SHIFT. SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT I WAS BACK A WEEK LATER BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE ANOTHER SEVERAL DAYS THEY SAID THEY FOUND THE ACTUAL ISSUE SO NOW I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. ( SOMETHING WAS MISFIRING , A COIL WAS CHANGED ETC.) NOW SEPT OF 2019 MY CAR DECIDED TO STOP ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST KILLING ME. MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF, AIR BAGS LIGHT, STEERING WHEEL , NO KEY FOB DETECTED ALL WHILE LOOSING POWER. THANKFULLY I MADE IT OFF THE EXIST WITH JUST ENOUGH POWER TO GET TO A GAS STATION RIGHT OFF THE FREEWAY BEFORE MY CAR COMPLETELY TURNED OFF ON ME. I TOOK THE BATTERY TO GET CHECKED IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, RECHARGED IT CAR STARTED FINE THEN WENT BACK TO DOING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH WARNING SIGNS ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD AND LEAVING ME AGAIN. I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND STILL WONT TURN ON. BEING THAT I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR THE FIRST TIME MY ALTERNATOR WENT OUT I AM PRETTY SURE THIS IS THE SAME EXACT THING. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I GOT IT WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO DEALER BUT I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11254881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Rockville, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN UPON OPENING DOOR CAUSING WINDOW TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE OF WEATHER STRIPPING WHEN CLOSING DOOR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND WHEN OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #11220401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midlothian, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HALEY DODGE JEEP RAM (5400 S LABURNUM AVE, RICHMOND, VA 23231, (804) 663-5337) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11209223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,900 miles Shreveport, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,900.

NHTSA complaint #11203991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Wentzville, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW KEEPS GOING UP AND DOWN EVEN WHEN THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING OR KEYS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11194363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Stone Mountain, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONSTANTLY ROLLS UP AND DOWN AND IT DRAINS MY BATTERY IN MOMENTS. I DONT KNOW IF MY ALTERNATOR IS GOING BACK BECAUSE EVEN AFTER I REPLACED MY BATTERY 2 TIMES IT TAKES FOREVER TO JUMP MY CAR OFF. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW A FAULTY WINDOW CAN CAUSE THIS

NHTSA complaint #11192605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Grand Prairie, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT: DOOR SMART GLASS SELF CYCLING AND/OR BATTERY DRAIN THE DOOR SMART GLASS FEATURE CYCLES ON ITS OWN WHICH LEADS TO BATTERY DRAIN. THE CONDITION TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE IGNITION KEY IS OFF. THIS CONDITION IS IDENTICAL TO THE EXACT SYMPTOMS IDENTIFIED ON THE 2011 MODEL. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED ON CHRYSLER'S SERVICE BULLETIN CSN-M24 SMART GLASS SWITCH. THE SMART GLASS SWITCH ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON THE 2012 MODEL ASAP..!

NHTSA complaint #11190351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raytown, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GOING UP/DOWN 1/4 INCH, WHEN CAR IS PARKED AND OFF, DRAINING BATTERY

NHTSA complaint #11186061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles MT Pleasant, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WENT DEAD. LOST POWER STEERING. WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN RUNNING DOWN NEW BATTERY. FOUND FUSE THAT RUNS SIDE MIRRORS AND POWER STEERING TO BE GOOD BUT IS SHOWING THE FUSE BOX TO BE GROUNDING OUT WHEN FUSE IS REMOVED. I HAVE HEARD OF ALOT OF ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS ON THIS CAR. NOBODY CAN SEEM TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS SITTING STILL AND ENGINE NOT TURNED ON. IF I LEAVE WINDOWS OPEN, WEATHER DAMAGE IS DONE. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITHOUT POWER STEERING. AFRAID IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE GROUNDING OUT. THERE ARE NO RECALLS REFERRING TO THIS ISSUE. WHY AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT GETTING THIS RESOLVED WHEN MECHANICS CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #11186147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles West Palm Beach, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SMART GLASS SENSOR MALFUNCTION- GLASS KEEP GOING UP AND DOWN WHEN ENGINE OFF AND PARKED DRAINING BATTERY. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2012 AND ITS NOT LISTED ON RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11176259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hueytown, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUSE CONTINUES TO BLOW FOR BRAKE LIGHTS. WHENEVER THE FUSE IS REPLACED AND INSERTED, THE FUSE IS THEN BLOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11175140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,000 miles Twin Falls, ID

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF WINDOW REPEATEDLY LOWERS AND RAISES ITSELF AS IF YOU WERE OPENING THE DOOR, DRAINING THE BATTERY AND RESULTING CAR NOT STARTING. REPLACING BATTERY DOES NOT FIX. PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11172953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Hattiesburg, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY DASHBOARD IS FLICKERING. MY SPEEDOMETER SOMETIMES DROPS TO ZERO AND THEN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. MY HEADLIGHTS ALSO FLICKER. WHEN I'M BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT NIGHT, I SEE THEM MOVING AS IF I HAVE SPEAKERS IN THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #11161278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Napa, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SHORTLY AFTER 70K MILES ON THE CAR I STARTED EXPERIENCING DRIVER SIDE SMART WINDOW MALFUNCTION, GOING UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT WITH POWER OFF AND NO FOB AROUND DRAINING MY BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11155231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,453 miles Charleston, WV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ROLLS UP AND DOWN 1/8 INCH AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES

NHTSA complaint #11154257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Cincinnatti, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE CHALLENGER. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THE BATTERY DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (COLERAIN DODGE, 8700 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11154049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilson, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS GOING UP IN DOWN ON ITS OWN CAUSES MY BATTERY TO BE DEAD, I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. I SEE THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF DODGES. DODGES ARE GOING TO LOSE A LOT OF CUSTOMERS IF NOT

NHTSA complaint #11153370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Dodge Challenger problems

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