VehicleVerdict

2012 Dodge Charger transmission problems

The 2012 Dodge Charger has 65 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

65

Transmission complaints

7%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

16V240000TransmissionApril 25, 2016 · 811,290 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.

What owners report

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL (POWER STEERING SYSTEM) BECAME VERY HARD TO HANDLE. I RAN OFF ROAD, DUE TO THE HARD STEERING/WET ROAD AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. ONCE I IMPACTED THE GUARD RAIL, THE STEERING CONTINUED TO BE HARD TO HANDLE PLUS THE BRAKES WAS VERY HARD. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 4, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Dodge Charger have?

NHTSA has 65 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Charger transmission — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Dodge Charger transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 16V240000.

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.