2012 Dodge Charger
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2012 Dodge Charger.
What to watch for on the 2012 Dodge Charger
Lifter and Camshaft Failure (HEMI Tick)
Lifter rollers seize or wear and then chew up the camshaft.
Rocker Arm and Lifter Tick
Roller rocker arms can wear their bearings and cause a tick, misfire and a damaged camshaft lobe.
3 more known problems on the 2012 Charger
Your guide shows all of them and which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2012 Dodge Charger
Air bags: inflator module
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Air bags: inflator module
S.
11 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 648 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2012 Dodge Charger at a glance
- Trims
- R/TSESRT8SXT
- Engine
- 5.7L 8-Cylinder, 3.6L 6-Cylinder, 6.4L 8-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- AWD, RWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- Sedan
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2012 Dodge Charger?
Owners have filed 648 complaints about the 2012 Dodge Charger with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. There are 14 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include lifter and camshaft failure, rocker arm and lifter tick and oil filter housing and oil cooler leak. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2012 Dodge Charger reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 14 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2012 Dodge Charger?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2012 Dodge Charger listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.