VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Charger engine problems

The 2012 Dodge Charger has 97 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

97

Engine complaints

10%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

11V487000EngineSeptember 29, 2011 · 667 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 15MPH AND THE TPMS LIGHT AND TRACTION LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASH AND THAN I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND HEARING A LOUD HIGH PITCHED NOISE, CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD CREATING A HAZARD, I GOT OUT QUICKLY AND POPPED THE HOOD AND SMOKE FLEW OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR AREA.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2014 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?

NHTSA has 97 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Charger engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Dodge Charger engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 11V487000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.