The 2012 Challenger spans from practical V6 commuters to fire-breathing SRT8s on the LX platform. The Pentastar V6 and 5.7 Hemi are solid, but transmission cooling issues and Hemi-specific valvetrain problems define the ownership experience at higher mileages.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure & Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink milkshake appearance in coolant overflow (ATF mixing with coolant), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement after cooler failure, Overheating transmission temp gauge readings, Strawberry milkshake residue in radiator
Fix: The internal trans cooler in the radiator fails and cross-contaminates coolant and ATF. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission flush (often multiple flushes), new trans filter, and fresh fluids. If caught late, transmission rebuild or replacement needed. 4-6 hours labor for cooler/flush, add 12-20 hours if trans is damaged.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 if caught early, $3,500-5,500 with transmission damage
5.7L Hemi Valvetrain Failure (Cam/Lifter/Rocker)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise from engine that worsens with RPM, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0308), Loss of power, rough idle, Metal shavings in oil during changes
Fix: The Hemi's MDS (cylinder deactivation) lifters stick or fail, damaging cam lobes and rocker arms. Requires heads-off repair: replace all lifters, camshaft, rockers, and often pushrods. Some engines need full rebuilds if metal contamination is severe. 16-24 hours labor for proper cam/lifter job.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,500 for cam/lifter replacement, $6,000-9,000 if short block damage occurs
Alternator Failure with Electrical Gremlins
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Battery warning light intermittent or constant, Dimming headlights, flickering dash lights, No-start condition or dead battery after short sits, Weird electrical behavior (windows, radio cutting out)
Fix: Factory alternators fail and cause voltage regulation issues that confuse PCM and BCM. The 160-amp units on V8s fail more often. Replace alternator and test battery (often needs replacement too from repeated deep discharge). 1.5-2.5 hours labor, add diagnostics time if chasing electrical ghosts afterward.
Estimated cost: $450-750 including battery if needed
Rear Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration through chassis at idle in gear, Excessive driveline movement visible during hard acceleration, Metallic bang on deceleration
Fix: The rubber trans mount separates or tears, allowing excessive driveline movement. Worst on V8 cars with spirited driving. Simple replacement with aftermarket poly mounts recommended for longevity. 1-1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-400
3.6L Pentastar Head Gasket Leaks (Left Cylinder Head)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: External coolant leak from left (driver) side of engine, Sweet coolant smell after driving, Slow coolant loss without visible puddles, White residue on left cylinder head near gasket mating surface
Fix: The left-side head gasket weeps externally on Pentastars. Not catastrophic but needs addressing before it worsens. Requires head removal, resurfacing check, new gasket, and timing chain inspection while in there. 8-10 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
EVAP System / Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Faults
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0455, P0456, or P0457 codes (EVAP leak), Difficulty fueling (pump clicks off repeatedly), Gas cap light illuminated, Failed emissions testing
Fix: Fuel tank pressure sensor fails or EVAP purge valve sticks. Sometimes it's just a bad gas cap ($20), but often requires dropping the tank for sensor replacement or canister service. Diagnosis critical here. 2-4 hours labor if tank drop needed.
Estimated cost: $300-700 depending on component
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50k miles religiously—many '12s still have original fluid at 100k+ and cooler failures destroy trans fast
5.7 Hemi owners: use quality synthetic oil, change every 5k miles maximum, and disable MDS if you're handy with a tuner to extend valvetrain life
Inspect alternator belt tensioner and belt condition every oil change—V8 accessory drive belt failures can grenade alternators
Upgrade to aftermarket poly transmission mount early if you drive aggressively, especially on V8 models
V6 Pentastar models are decent buys with fluid maintenance discipline; 5.7 Hemis are ticking time bombs past 100k without immaculate service records—buy on condition, not price.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V018000
2019-01-15 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V021000
2018-01-09 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V352000
2016-05-24 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B."
Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
AIR BAGS · 13V118000
2013-04-03
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.
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