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2012 Dodge Charger engine problems

96 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000.

owner complaints
96
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
80,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Engine: crank/camshaft position sensor
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Dodge Charger engine problems in other years

20062010201520202023

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Dodge Charger engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 112Loss of power 45Check engine light 43Won't start 25Engine failure 17Overheating 9Misfire 7

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

What 2012 Dodge Charger owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AR

Says that my car is simply just dead smells like gas when trying to start up and shakes but doesn’t start up

Filed Jan 26, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

I have called the dealerships in Fresno Ca and Clovis Ca asked them to check out my car because of all the recalls that were done by them I'm having problems with it or had to replace it again. I also told them since it was a recall and they supposedly repaired it I wanted them to check into it to see if the wrong was done because anyone could falsify a document I was turned away from both dealerships. I have receipts for parts I have replaced that were recalled, as diagnostics tests. This has been going on since 2022 one after another and then affects other parts I even asked them to do a software update for the electronic monostable gear they said no.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with timing chain failure. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: P01; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2024 · Engine · 170,000 miles · PA

The contact's husband owns a 2012 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, lost motive power, and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: P0016 (Cam and Crank shafts signals error). The vehicle was taken to the residence where the cam shaft and oil sensors were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

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 Jun 2, 2024 · Driver assistance, Engine · TN

Was just driving and the engine just cut off now it want start. I carried it to a certified mechanic he said the motor locked up. He also said it's common for this 3.6 to do this. Something about stuff getting in the engine and causes the bearings to mess up and the pistons.

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Engine · TX

Had catastrophic engine failure at 100k miles doing 70mph. I believe it was timing chain failure. Replaced the engine with a refurbished engine and now have the exact same problem. It seems like the MDS system is the main cause for this to keep happening so why isn’t this a recall issue. These engines are not cheap to replace

Filed Jul 12, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I am experiencing the same issue as identified with the federal safety agency ID NUMBER: 11525511, June 5, 2023. Dodge has a known issue with the wiring for the fuse for the a/c located in the front PDC. Technical Service Bulletin NUMBER: 08-040-14 REV. A. On or around June 2020, I took my 2012 Dodge Charger to my local dealership during the COVID pandemic for an issue with my AC not working. I had the car inspected by numerous mechanics who indicated there was an issue with the fuse for the a/c clutch (#12), They would replace the fuse numerous times, the AC would come on and blow warm air or cool air, but mostly warm. Replacing the fuse numerous of times did not resolve the issue. Neither did replacing all the cooling system and radiator and fan as well. My auto shop had a mechanic who specializes on the computer for cars take a look at my Charger and found technical service bulletins NUMBER: 08-040-14 and NUMBER: 08-040-14 REV. A which directly describes the issue I am experiencing with my vehicle. The mechanic has even placed a small nail in the cavity next to the fuse to hold it in its place and my AC is blowing fine and cold air until that fuse is moved or touched. This also caused issues with the fuse for the steering wheel on the car which the Dodge dealership addressed when I lost steering power on my vehicle. They did NOT repair the issue with NUMBER: 08-040-14 on my vehicle. I paid the $199.00 diagnostic fee just for the shop to put a new fuse in (which I repeatedly told them was not the issue at that time) and I am still having the same problem. I would like Chrysler/Dodge to contact Armory Dodge and authorize not only a refund for the $199.00 diagnostic fee I paid to have the issue identified (which they did not) and also authorize the repair needed as instructed on the TSB NUMBER: 08-040-14. The dealership has informed me that they do not even have the repair kit needed Part No. 68235388AA (wire harness kit) and would need to do a workaround to repair the issue.

Filed Mar 17, 2023 · Engine · GA

At idile, the car shuts off

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA · fire

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 repairs done again at no charge. When I call to the dealers the management was a female and told me me my car was to old and they longer work on my car I've been told that several times. I also have all receipts for repairs and you will see that its the same issue as the recall that was apparently repaired.

Questions about the 2012 Dodge Charger engine

Does the 2012 Dodge Charger have engine problems?

Owners have filed 96 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Dodge Charger, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Dodge Charger engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Dodge Charger engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 11V487000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2012 Dodge Charger problems

Electrical 359Airbags 111Transmission 65Steering 53Lights 52Brakes 46Driver assistance 40Acceleration 20Visibility 15Fuel system 13Body 11Suspension 10Seat belts 7Wheels 6Seats 4Tires 3

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