Problems · by component

2012 Chrysler 3 Series electrical system problems

212 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 3 Series cite electrical system, 50% of all 427 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
212
50% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
30
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle received passenger airbag inflator recall service at Viva CDJR in El Paso, TX. The dash disassembly disturbed adjacent wiring/BCM connections, and after driving, vibration caused a short/ground fault, creating runaway wipers, A/C failure, transmission limp mode, check engine and power steering lights while in transit. Dealer has kept the car for over two weeks and refuses to scan diagnostic trouble codes or inspect the recall-adjacent wiring harness. The vehicle has never experienced this issue prior to the recall service.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11762499
“Date: February 22, 2026 VIA CERTIFIED MAIL FCA US LLC Customer Care P.O. Box 21-8004 Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004 RE: FORMAL COMPLAINT – Safety Defect (Rearview Camera Failure) Vehicle 1: 2012 Chrysler 300S (VIN: [XXX] ) Vehicle 2: 2018 Chrysler 300S (VIN: [XXX] ) To the Chrysler Customer Care Team: I am a loyal, multi-vehicle Chrysler owner currently residing in San Diego County. I am writing to formally report a persistent and dangerous safety defect affecting both of my Chrysler 300S vehicles. Description of Defect: In both vehicles, the factory-installed backup camera has failed completely. When the vehicles are shifted into reverse, the infotainment screen remains blank or black. This failure significantly reduces rearward visibility, creating a severe safety risk for pedestrians and property, especially given the known blind spots of the 300S model. Legal and Safety Context: As you are aware, Chrysler has issued multiple recent recalls (including Recall 24V-436) regarding rearview camera software failures. Furthermore, for the 2018 model, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111 mandates a functional rear visibility system. The identical…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2026Electrical systemODI 11719769
“I lost all power to my car randomly, i replaced my alternator, battery, and pcm as well as the pigtail harness for my alternator. the car has no power inside at all besides my taillights and brake lights stay on. i keep blowing fuses left and right the fuses that keep blowing are - asd feed #1, trans/shifter, hvac module/ cluster, amplifier, radio screen - this is a major issue that needs to be recalled especially with everything else electrical that was already recalled. thanks for your time”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2024Electrical systemODI 11591426
“The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 300. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and examined under the hood of the vehicle and noticed there was smoke coming from the alternator. After the vehicle cooled down, the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The dealer was contact and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) and that the contact had to pay for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 158,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2023Electrical systemODI 11537289
“The air bags were replaced in my vehicle due to a recall. Now my air bag light is on and the buttons and horn do not work. The airbag clock spring is broken. The air bags were replaced by the dealership. Should the clock spring be replaced covered due to this issue?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2023Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11501859
“Esc off light comes on and transmission does not shift has loss of power gets extremely bad gas mileage. Whole engine shakes and bucks as if misfiring., cruise control nor sport mode engage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2022Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11493407

Showing 6 of 212 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Electrical system: alternator

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V435000

Electrical system: alternator

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 8, 2014NHTSA 14V634000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.