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Dodge Challengers are not top-tier in reliability, but this model year is certainly on the problematic side of the spectrum.

If there were one vehicle that could still bring the pure American Muscle Car experience to the table, that would be the Dodge Challenger. With potent Hemi V8 engines, Challengers are ready to smoke any other production car on the quarter-mile track.

On the downside, Dodge is getting ready to discontinue the Challenger in 2023 with special edition models and throwback colors. Even folks at Dodge couldn’t stop the electrification of the next generation of muscle cars.

Brand-new higher trims of the Challenger are typically sold for a significantly higher price tag than their original MSRP. Because of that, many might prefer going for a used model to get the best bang for their buck. However, some Challenger model years had quite a few problems you must know before finalizing your purchase. Without further ado, let’s see why 2012 was the least reliable model year of the Dodge Challenger.

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More than 240 owners of the 2012 Dodge Challenger have filed complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. The majority of the reports concern problems with the Challenger’s electrical system. Moreover, the Car Complaints website rates the 2012 model as the most problematic edition due to widespread and expensive repairs at low mileage.

According to these reports, owners have issues with the alternator going out prematurely at around the 50,000-mile mark. Although Dodge provided remedies for V6-equipped models through a recall, many V8-configured Challengers had the same problem and had to spend $710 on average to replace the alternator.

Another electrical problem with the 2012 Charger is the smart windows going up and down intermittently on their own and eventually killing the battery. Several owners complained about not finding a permanent solution to this problem. However, some reports on the Car Complaints website suggest replacing the battery and latch fixed the issue.

There are several reports pertaining to malfunctioning brakes on 2012 Challengers. “After taking this car in twice for the same problem, they admitted the rotors are warped and need to be resurfaced or replaced at my expense. They told me the brakes are in great shape. However, the rotors warped from being heated. I don't know that much about physics, but something does not sound right. Now to fix the problem at my expense,” quoted one owner in Oct 2012 on Car Complaints.

Last but not least, some owners have complained about the stripping under the hood getting loose and causing vibration noises and scratching the hood.

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About a year after its release, Chrysler recalled the 2012 Dodge Challenger for a problem with the airbags’ wiring harness. The issue would not let airbags deploy in case of a crash and increase the risk of injury for the vehicle’s occupants. Almost 120,000 Chargers and Challengers were ousted for this recall.

Not long after, 2011-2014 Challengers equipped with the 3.6L engine were recalled for defective alternators. As mentioned in the previous segment, many V8 models also had this issue but were never included in the recall program. However, in 2017, Chrysler acknowledged that models with the 5.7L V8 engine also suffer from this issue and provided remedies for them.

The three remaining recalls pertain to a problem with the airbag inflators. According to the manufacturer’s official report, these inflators may rupture after exposure to humidity or radical temperature changes. In case of a crash, these inflators could explode, strike the occupants with metal fragments, and severely injure them.

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If you’re looking for a used Challenger on the market, it is a safer bet to avoid 2012 models. Due to widespread issues and numerous recalls, the 2012 edition has a lower reliability score than other model years.

Almost all Challengers newer than the 2012 model year have a significantly better record of dependability. Moreover, the 2011 Challenger and even older model years did excellent in their own time, but since they’ve been on the road for over a decade, they might not be as reliable and robust as the newer ones.

Challengers are built to last; different sources suggest you can get at least 200,000 miles of reliable service if you maintain it regularly. However, if you’re the third or the fourth owner of a challenger, it is best to expect major engine and transmission overhauls around the 100,000-mile mark.

Regardless of the model you opt for, consult a trusted mechanic to ensure everything is in good shape before finalizing your purchase. Challengers are fun to drive, and it’s easy to put them through too much abuse in a short time.

Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.