2012 Dodge Charger: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Electrical · CA

My vehicle has been experiencing electrical issues causing my radio to cut off and my car to cut off and lose power while driving. When the car is moving and loses power it's causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.

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 Aug 29, 2022 · Engine · KS

Having lifter failure on 2012 Dodge Charger srt8 6.4 mds hemi Loud ticking noise coming from passenger side head, can be heard in the engine bay but even more so from passenger side wheel well. Complete loss of power or bucking with any real kind of acceleration. No misfires also still idles smooth. Threw back pressure sensor code P0471. Was told by dodge it was warped exhaust manifold. Had full exhaust system replaced including all sensors just to be safe (3g$). Got car back still ticking but even louder now. Took car to non dealership and the mechanic said immediately that’s lifter noise. VVT was pulled and checked for metal (it was present). Was told it’s suggested to replace entire motor and with absolutely no help from dodge. The shop that found the lifter issue said he’s had multiple 5.7 and 6.4 hemis all in the shop all with the same problem and dodge will do nothing to fix it and I was also told don’t just throw parts at it cause it will just keep failing and costing money it needs to be replaced completely with better parts to avoid continued problems. It will cost nothing short of 10g$ to do this repair and losing my only means of transportation for however long not to mention it putting my life and others at risk when the car decides to just cut power or turn off completely. I’ve already limited my driving due to this problem and worries of complete engine Failure and now I won’t even let my family ride In the vehicle for fear of it shutting down especially at highway speeds. Dodge needs to address this problem ASAP!!

Filed Aug 2, 2020 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · AZ

I was in el paso texas because my father was in the hospital when I rolled down my driver side window it wouldn't go back up. There's no further details as to why it won't go back up that's all I did was roll it down. And every since that day at least once a day when I'm turning or slowing down the car will completely turn off and go into auto park and lose all power. It also constantly says it's going an auto park when I'm on the freeway going 75 miles per hour. All of the gauges will go down to zero and back up when I'm on the freeway and it won't shut off and lock up on me but if I'm going below 20 miles an hour it will lock up on me. This happens way too often I have kids and it's very dangerous. But now my car will not start at all.

Filed Jun 24, 2019 · Transmission · 78,702 miles · CA

At about 75,000 miles, the vehicle would lose power while I was drivng then surge and lunge forward. At that point my check engine light came on. Scared the daylights out of me. It happened when I was on the 10 freeway coming home. I have taken the vehicle to two mechanics. The torque converter is stuck closed. I was told by both mechanics that I need a new transmission? It's the torque converter. It is a hazard for the car to surge and lunge; can cause a serious accident! How can I need a new transmission when it started @ 72,000 miles. Bad parts. Please review this problem. I need help!!!!! Please consider and review. I cant afford a new transmission.!!! It just doesnt seem logical. (xxxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 23, 2018 · Acceleration, Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. The brake pedal was applied with force, but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed on the side of the road. The driver sustained injuries to the head, back, arm, chest, and was unconscious. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance for medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy and was uncertain as to which failure may or may not have been related to the collision. The dealer (ganas auto southgate, 4730 firestone blvd, southgate, ca 90280, 323‑364‑5004) failed to inform the contact, at the time of purchase, that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 16v043000 (structure), 16v240000 (power train), 15v467000 (air bags and seat belts), and 16v352000 (air bags). The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then towed to the same dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and the crash. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 117,000 miles · CA · fire

As I exited the freeway my vehicle began to shut down and lose power. I was able to sputter at 10 MPH for about a quarter mile to a parking lot. The vehicles electronics were shutting down the whole time and weird electrical activation's started occurring or freezing on their own such as lights, senors, wipers, radio etc. I could also smell a burnt odor emitting from the air vents. When I parked the vehicle it did not start and had smoke coming from the engine. I checked the engine and saw some smoke coming from the alternator and smelled burnt. I took the vehicle to the dealer on 01-22-18 and they diagnosed it as the alternator failing due to the recall but there was no fix yet from chrysler. They stated the quick fix is replacing the alternator but the vehicle would have to come back until they discover what needs to be fixed on the recall. Today is 01-24-18 and my vehicle is not repaired because the dealer is waiting approval from chrysler to install a new alternator since there is no exact fix for the recall yet. They told me it may be an electrical computer problem, wiring problem or alternator problem. They told me they may install a new alternator today (01-24-18) and they had to order it. I have been with no vehicle since 01-18-18 due to the dealer and chrysler not problem solving their mistake. I'm glad I didn't crash or was in the fast lane of the freeway when I lost power but my son was scared because he didn't know what was going on. I cant imagine the consequences if things had not gone the way they did. Someone could seriously get injured at the expense of chrysler failing to find a fix. Would this fall under the lemon law?

Filed Dec 30, 2017 · Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

My timing chain and pulley broke while on tthe freeway causing loss of power and stall.

Filed Aug 24, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 67,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and failed to restart without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (chrysler, jeep dodge, 9207 adamo drive east, tampa, florida, 813‑620‑4300) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (steering). Vin tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2017 · Electrical · 80,918 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering ability and the battery save mode message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had to maneuver into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the 180 amps alternator failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the 180 amps alternator was not under a recall, only the 160 amps. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 80,918.

Filed Aug 17, 2017 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. While driving 30 MPH, the battery warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an advance auto store where it was diagnosed that the alternator was in the process of failing. While driving, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to berglund chrysler jeep dodge ram (2525 franklin rd sw, roanoke, va 24014, (540) 345-9881) where it was confirmed that the alternator failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v435000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 75,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact's wife owns a 2012 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled and lost power without warning. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. No warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being towed to his residence, he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact notified scott robinson chrysler dodge jeep ram located at 20900 hawthorne blvd, torrence, ca 90503 at phone number: (424) 299-8800 where the dealer informed the contact to call the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but the contact was informed to take the vehicle to a dealer but did not offer any further assistance. The approximately failure mileage was 75,000.