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Problems with 2012 Dodge Charger ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On average, the 2012 Dodge Charger starts to “feel” problems with the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and its various aspects after 66 570 miles.

Components Affected by ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Issues

We have classified the 295 complaints from 2012 Dodge Charger about ELECTRICAL SYSTEM into the following categories.

ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR 32 12V/24V/48V BATTERY 5 HORN 1

Recently reported ELECTRICAL SYSTEM problems on 2012 Dodge Charger

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that the sensor had illuminated for the traction control and battery saver mode intermittently. the contact experienced the vehicle shutting off and going into battery safe mode repeatedly. the contact had to recharge the battery to get the vehicle to restart on several occasions. the radio had shut off each time the vehicle went into battery safe mode. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the alternator and the battery. the failure recurred with the battery safe mode sensor and traction control sensor illuminating. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator was not charging which may indicate it was faulty. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

While driving 35 mph, i smelled something burning. my battery light came on and the car shut down. i had it towed to the closest dodge dealer. the dealership has reported that my alternator, serp belt & tensioner need to be replaced at a cost of $876!!!!! with all the other complaints that are very similar to mine, i feel a recall is in order!!!....updated 07/23/14 *bf

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated while driving approximately 20 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be repaired. the vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 43,650.

We were driving and the abs and skid lights illuminated on the dash, all the function lights illuminated the steering column locked and the car just halted and stalled. everything was dead, unable to start and the wipers were going. the wipers were never turned on but kept running despite the car being "dead" wipers in off position . towed home and then to dealership (dealership has no off hour gate access) told (2) days later the battery was dead on a 2 yr old vehicle, then i received a second call stating the alternator was the culprit. the alternator needs replacement, and no one can explain the rhyme or reason why it needs to be replaced on a 2yr old vehicle. the vehicle also has automatic push start and will not work sometimes unless the remoteless key is pressed to start the vehicle on the start-button (instead of pressing with finger, use the remote less entry- i was told this resets the reading- having to do this once/twice a month). *js

Tl * the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the dealer replaced the alternator. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 40,000. updated 09/15/14*lj updated 1/15/2015 *js

Was driving approx 45 miles an hour when smoke was coming from engine bay. burnt smell when opened hood and smoke coming from alternator. there was also a battery failure due to alternator. *tr

On my way work i stopped to get coffee and my radio turned off and when i was able to turn it on the volume wouldn't go pass 20. i got on the parkway and my battery light came on. i was pulling over at the next stop and came to a light as it was turning from red to green, so i didn't have to come to a complete stop and that is when my tranmission light came along with every light on my dash (my car went crazy). my car put "itself" in neurtal as i was crossing the traffic. this could have caused a serious accident. thank god after playing with it i was able to get it into drive and the car started shaking and barely driving. i pulled it into a parking space at 711. i was unable to turn it off for 30 minutes. it started making loud noises under the hood like it was going to blow up and all the hands on my speedometer, etc were going back and forth like crazy and every light in my dash was on. the car wouldn't allow me to put my windows down and it said the key has left the vehicle when i had it in my hand the whole time. i was finally able to get the car to turn off and didn't try to restart it in fear of having the same problem or i was concerned it would blow up. i have never had any of my cars do that ever! i had it towed to the dodge dealership and i am waiting to hear back from them. i looked online and seen the recalls but my vin number is not in the recall. reading blogs from this sight and other sights people have had the same problem. i see where dodge isn't honoring the recall because vehicles aren't on the recall list but how are people having the same problem and no one or dodge it doing anything about this? does someone have to die or get hurt first?! if dodge doesn't make good and i have to pay for my vehicle to get fixed i am going straight to every new broadcasting reporter i know and then from there i am getting a lawyer. my car had a mind of it's own *js

I was driving and the headlight on the passenger side quit working. i stopped and checked it out and the light would come on if i touched the connector. firestone replaced the bulb. the bulb was intermittent. if you touched the connector it would work. ultimately, the connector caught fire and melted off. i found that there was a recall, but my vin was not covered in the recall. the recall should be expanded! i am senior systems engineer for the federal aviation administration and fully qualified to assess that it is a safety issue. *tr

My 2012 dodge charger is having the same problem as the recall but come to find out my vin # is not on the recall list.i went to the part store to purchase a light bulb when the guy told me to take my car to the dealer because the wire harness had melted the dealer pull up my vehicle vin# and stated my car is not under a recall and that i had to pay to get my car fix. why is my car having the same problem as the recall but not on a recall list i really would like an answer to my complaints. thank you. *tr

On several occasions beginning when the car had approximately 20,000 miles around feb/mar 2014, the car would not start. this happens after the car has been parked overnight and the ambient outside air temp cools to 40 degrees farenheit or colder. center display between speedo and tach states "do not place the car in p". the car will sometimes start with booster cables. the car has shown various electrical issue at different speeds (0-70mph) since the first failure to start (abs light on /off, airbag light on /off, stability control light on/off, radio/hvac screen not working). car has been taken to dodge dealership several times with no confirmed cause and no effective repair. car would not start this morning (5-13-2015) , ambient air temp approximately 55 degrees farenheit. no aftermarket accesories have ever been added to this car, all factory original equipment (or changed at dealership during repair attempts). very irritated being that the car has only 32,000 miles.

Car was not in motion, went to turn it on and speakers fail to come on and have not been working since. display is functional, all buttons and controls are also functionals but no sound plays from speakers. *tr

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.

I was driving my car and all of a sudden it died on me, it gave me no warning signs of any type. i had it towed to shop and they told me that my alternator and battery were gone. im wondering how could that be if i just got vehicle last year brand new with 0 miles on it. i don't drive my car rough or anything i take very good care of this vehicle so how can this be. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that the alternator assembly failed causing the key to become difficult to turn over. as the failure progressed, the vehicle stalled several times. the dealer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the alternator assembly. the contact was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v634000 (electrical system). the manufacturer was contacted and was unable to provide an estimated date for when the vehicle would receive the recall repair. the failure mileage was not available.

Tl*the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that the vehicle constantly had an intermittent drastic reduction in speed in which the contact had to press the accelerator pedal and then pulled the vehicle over to shut off the vehicle to reset the computer each time the failure recurred. the contact also indicated that the air bag warning lamp was flashing. the contact stated that the failure was progressing to the point that the vehicle may stall. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: (electrical system) and the remedy was still under development. the dealer did not give a specific date for when the part and the permanent remedy would become available. the manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repair. the contact was continuing to experience the intermittent failure. the approximate failure mileage was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on several occasions. the contact connected charger cables and replaced the battery twice, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v364000 (electrical system) but the part was not available for months to repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

Passenger side headlight went out. i was able to tap on it for a few days to make it come back on thinking it was just a loose wire, but one night it completely went out. i brought it to pepboys and upon a closer observation they found that the socket was melted and had caused the headlight to burn out as well. *tr

Head light harness melting, low beams not working, abs/esc lights on constantly and vehicle not stopping properly because of abs/esc issues, spoke with dodge and were advised that our vin# was not on the list to be repaired for known recalls resulting in these issues - see this link for related recalls http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2012/dodge/charger/recalls/. *tr

The drivers side low beam headlight went out while driving. thinking it was the bulb, i took the car apart to replace it and the connector was melted. i found that there was a recall regarding the wiring and power distribution and called the dealer and scheduled an appt for repair. a few days later, the other headlight went out, at night, while driving home from work. this is a very dangerous safety issue for me as well as other drivers. the dealer replaced the recalled parts but the low beam harness bulb connector is not included in the recall. i currently only have one working headlight again and i have no choice but to pay for repairs myself at this point because i can't risk both lights going out again. something needs to be done. *tr

I was traveling around 30 mph and as i was braking to stop for a traffic light the car turned off by itself. i was able to re-start after a minute. i almost rear ended the car in front of me as my brakes were disabled when the car shut off abruptly. *tr

2012 dodge charger low beam headlight on the driver side continues to go out. i have a melted/fried harness and exposed wiring. has been going out for several months. i have to replace bulbs continuously both oem and after market bulbs. there are other owners experiencing the same issue, especially on the driver side. there is a recall for the police version, but none for the se models, however, the issues seem to be the same. i have filed a complaint with chrysler. visiting the dealer tomorrow to attempt remedy. *tr

2012 dodge charger with police package. initially, vehicle would not start and had to be jumped started. approximately one hour later, the vehicle would not accelerate past 2,000 rpms. the dealer replaced the accelerator pedal and accelerator pedal position sensor. two days after getting the car back from the dealer, the same scenario occurred. while driving the car to the dealer, it would not go above 25 mph but then would suddenly accelerate to 45 mph without driver input. i was able to slow the vehicle with the brake but this could be a safety concern for someone not prepared for this. the car is now at the dealer waiting repair. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that driver's side headlight was replaced three times and there was a recall (nhtsa campaign id number: 12v042000-electrical system), but the dealer informed her that the vin was not included. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the wire connector was burned and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 44,000. the current mileage was 47,500. ..updated 12-05-13 *bf

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge charger. the contact stated that the low beam headlights failed. the contact spoke with the manufacturer regarding nhtsa campaign id number:12v042000(exterior lighting), but was told that recall was for police vehicles only. the failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 42,000. *tr

We bought this vehicle on may 6 , 2013, two hours later the check engine light went on. took it to autozone and hooked it to the computer said it was the transmission. proceeded to take it to the dealer on may 7th 2013 where they ran a test and found code p0741 -u0002- checked for contaminated fluid, relearned transmission serviced transmission, reset computer. the car was in the shop again on may 30th 2013 for the passenger side window (electrical). we got the car back on june 1st 2013 and the window did not work so as we were waiting for monday june 3rd to take it back to the shop, the check engine light came on again. we are waiting to hear from the dealership as to what is wrong this time. we have only had physical possession of this vehicle for 4 1/2 days since the purchase, it is still in the shop being fixed. we had gone to the dodge website and found that this particular vehicle has previously been in the shop 3 times for electrical problems. *tr

Car malfunctioned twice at high rate of speeds within days of each other. extremely dangerous driving conditions. car currently being towed again but not fixed.received recall notice approximately 15 hours after car fixed first time, indicating the recall was a known problem because of timeframe. not apparent from repair information that recall part was checked even though the same system was affected. -7/3 - 8:30pm driving at a high rate of speed on highway. malfunction indicator and esc malfunction indicators came on, along with alarms. pulled off highway when safe. car shook violently. towed to dealership. -7/5 - ~4:00pm - car fixed. indicated "abs module dtcs c0037-62.c003a-62 and c121c-00. found engine wrre harness connector c102 loose. reinstalled connector c102. cleared all codes. performed extended road test. verify okay." -7/6 ~12pm - received recall notice in mail. safety recall m10/nhtsa 12v-197 abs/esc wiring. recall calls out same parts as original malfunction that could cause crash without warning. -7/7 - 10:30am. driving at a high rate of speed on highway. same malfunction indicators came on with alarms. no place to pull off without causing a wreck. slowed driving and put on hazards. awaiting tow truck. dealer alerted. i'm terrified of driving this car that has under 900 miles. twice the incidents occurred in heavy highway traffic at high rates of speed. *tr

I have had numerous recalls on this car, especially one that is pending that does not seem to have a remedy yet, i also had a problem with the driver seat making cracks and squeaky noises as well as losing my settings so i often have to adjust the seat , i took the car in about 4-5 times for this repair and it was never done correctly.

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