Problems · by component

2012 Dodge Charger power train problems

65 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Charger cite power train, 10% of all 648 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
65
10% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While driving my 2012 dodge charger at times it pops out of driving going into neutral. It happens when I'm on the hwy or in town. And the air bags has illuminated on the dash and it is at the dealership, and I was told, I have to pay for everything out of pocket.To replace it, popping out of gear while driving and the airbags. The dealership is not going to warranty anything because it's past. It does it off and on, and I don't know when it's going to happen. Popping in and out of gear. So I took it to the [XXX] 4025 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell Idaho. 83605.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2025Power train, Air bagsODI 11695547
“I purchased a 2012 Dodge Charger shortly after tha it just stopped working. It was perfectly fine and then it just wouldn't start. It only turned on to accessory mode. The lights ,radio,ac, ect. turned on but the vehicle did no. The brake pedal was very hard couldn't be pushed down. On the dashboard a red lightning bolt symbol with two parentheses appeared. I got it towed the dealership send the problem was the battery and the key fob. I picked it up it was fine and then a few days later while driving on the highway it suddenly started to lose power and completely stopped. same red lightning bolt symbol appeared.I barely made it to the side of the road. I had my son with me. It was a very scary situation our lives were in danger as well as the other drivers behind me because of the sudden decrease in speed. I had to get it towed for the second time. The dealership said that they changed the fuel pump. It was fine after that then couple weeks later I noticed the check engine light come on for about half a day then turn off. 2 Days later I went to turn it on and it did not start, same red lightning bolt symbol appeared again. I got it towed to the manufacture…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2024Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11592404
“Lifter failure is causing metal shavings from the cam to fall into the engine block and cause the engine to fail. This is a known problem with these cars and nothing is being done about it by the manufacturer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2023Power trainODI 11561681
“My ac was working decent, not how it should be, when I first got the vehicle. Now, the ac just blows warm air, no recirculation for feet setting. I am getting the code P0741 and it doesn't change.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11525511
“Service power steering warning comes on, causes my gauge cluster to go blank & dark, I lose A/C, power steering, headlights work intermittently, blinkers & all steering wheel button options stop working, and my transmission will start downshifting shifting erratically. It downshifts so hard I'm afraid I'll lose control of my car. Yesterday I had a message pop up saying it was going into Power Saving Mode. When the power steering warning is on, my A/C will have half the vents blowing cold air, the other half blowing hot heater air. During the winter my heated seats only worked intermittently. All of these issues are related to the past recalls on my car that were supposedly fixed; however, the problems are still occurring. Can somebody please contact me about these recalls and tell me what I should do? Thank you!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2023Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11521197
“Oct, 2022 my car did not shift out of park so I googled my car and the problem, So it said it was my monostable shifter modular. I towed it to A Transmission mechanic and they did a full body diagnostic test and I was told all I needed was to buy a new transmission shifter modular and a PCM to get my car running again. I did not have the $ 4,200 for them to fix my car so I had it towed back home. Now as of today my car is not running still because of the transmission shifter modular and PCM I bought brand new Installed myself and for some odd reason the electrical started flickering as if maybe the wiring is wrong or something. Now there was already a recall on the following repairs I've done and yet its documented in the recall system that all recalls were repaired by manufacture In 2017 Alternator Diode Thermal Fatigue, April 2016 TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC SHIFT LEVER, Jan 2016 WHEEL CHOCKS, July 2015 REPROGRAM OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, Dec 2019 Reprogram Powertrain Control Module, Oct 2012 EMISSIONS RECALL M30 POSITION VALVE/INTERNAL TEMP DIAGNOSTICS. So either the recalls weren't repaired as documented or it is a factory defect and my car needs the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2023Power train, Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11507318

Showing 6 of 65 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: control module (tcm

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

Power trainReported Apr 25, 2016NHTSA 16V240000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

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