Problems · by component

2012 Dodge Challenger air bags problems

47 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger cite air bags, 19% of all 253 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
47
19% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11691678
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2024Air bagsODI 11592384
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2019Parking brake, Air bags, EngineODI 11290946
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2019Air bagsODI 11280347
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2019Air bagsODI 11222784
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2019Air bags, Seat belts, Visibility/wiperODI 11171154

Showing 6 of 47 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2019NHTSA 19V018000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V021000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000

Air bags

Free remedy

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.

Air bagsReported Apr 3, 2013NHTSA 13V118000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026

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

Other 2012 Challenger problem areas