Problems · by component

2012 Dodge Challenger engine problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Challenger cite engine, 10% of all 253 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
10% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

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
“The transmission stalled after driving it for 4000 miles. The car has 9 codes associated with the anti lock brakes, electric power steering, and transmission control. The car is available for inspection. This car creates an unsafe condition for the driver whose anti lock brakes fail, and the fact that the transmission is bad.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2024EngineODI 11616231
“Car randomly stalls while driving. Does NOT show CHECK ENGINE light, nor have any codes been recorded as checked by dealer obd reader. 2 Dodge Dealerships unable to diagnose because of no codes. Both dealerships claim they have not heard of this problem before I appeared. I saw in online forums that other owners have been dealing with this issue since at least 2011, so it appears the manufacturer is ducking their responsibility.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2022EngineODI 11485372
“The contact owns a 2012 Dodge challenger. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2021EngineODI 11418070
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2020EngineFire reportedODI 11363648
“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

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

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