2012 Dodge Charger: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

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 dealership for a recall and they did diagnostic and are telling me that it is the starter switch. They didn't mention anything about the red lightning bolt and it still doesn't turn on

Filed Mar 18, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. The contact was unable to start the vehicle and the accessory indicator illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to melloy chrysler dodge jeep ram (357 emilio lopez rd, los lunas, nm 87031, (505) 866-2900) and the key fob was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 81,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. While driving 45 MPH, the power saver mode indicator illuminated and the radio turned off. A photo of a battery was shown on the instrument cluster, and the traction control and windshield wipers activated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shut off. The contact had to walk away with the key fob until the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (chrysler dodge jeep ram surprise, 13165 n autoshow ave, surprise, az 85388) where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The parts were not available and the contact would have to pay $1,000 for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the push button starter activated intermittently as making a turn. In addition, the window wipers and the entire power windows activated independently. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer bur was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 75,000 miles · GA

Dodge charger 2012 - shuts off in the middle of the highway and will not turn on. Says the key fob has left vehicle. Headlights go out randomly at night. Driver seat will fold up will driving down the road. Radio and air conditioner will turn up and down by itself. Contacted dealership.

Filed Oct 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 59,000 miles · FL

I pulled into an intersection and the electrical on the vehicle started flashing off and on. Dashboard, wipers, radio, transmission and engine stuttering and stalling. I made it through the intersection, and about 20 feet from it before the car shut off completely. There was minimal power, so the hazards worked, but the key fob was not detected (I just bought a new battery for it last week), the warning lights on the dashboard continued to flicker each time I tried to restart it. The middle screen came up blank or white, and it would take several seconds before the button/start indicator would move from the "run" to the "off" position. The battery was obviously dead, but when a passerby stopped to help me try to jump it, it wouldn't take a charge. The electrical capacity continued to diminish as I tried to start it, or try different things to get it to work. The great shift locked up so I couldn't put it in neutral to roll the car out of the way. Since it was 4:30 on a busy, divided highway during a torrential downpour, I was terrified someone was going to hit me from behind. Fortunately ocso arrived to help divert traffic, and he helped me figure out where the emergency disconnect was for the transmission so we could push it off the road. Aaa came but it wouldn't stay charged. I was able to drive it home with the travel charger on it. I tried to jump it again several times, with no luck, it was completely dead. So, $800 later, I have a new battery, new alternator, and feel lucky that I didn't get stuck in the intersection, get rear-ended, or hadn't left on my trip to north carolina yet. It was an extremely dangerous situation, that could have been a lot worse, and there was absolutely no warning or indication that the alternator had gone bad. I know I'm not the only one that has experienced this based on a google search, and appreciate that the federal safety agency is investigating.