AI Damage2012 Dodge Charger Police: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Dodge Charger Police filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 46% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 31% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (46% of all).
- Engine: 4 complaints (31% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While parked at a gas station, she saw smoke coming from the hood. The contact stated she tried to open the hood but the latch was melted and failed to open. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The contact mentioned that the entire front end of the vehicle was damaged due to the fire.
Shop has replaced the power steering pump twice and the power steering still locks up and is hard to turn. This occurs daily on patrol. Vehicle is currently off the road due to this being a safety issue.
Power steering unit failed on highway while turning into rest stop.
For some reason in the winter time my car started misfiring and tapping at work not in motion just warming the car before leaving. Went to the shop come to find out the camshaft and lifters are bad out of nowhere. Oil was good, miles are low.
The wiring harness above the fuel pump became hot enough to melt a hold in the top of the fuel tank cover and allow fuel to escape out of the tank, under the back seat, through the electrical connection. This was reported to chyyler september 30, 2016, by letter, and to nhtsa, february 7, 2017, by letter.
While driving, the contact noticed a heavy cloud of smoke. The contact pulled the vehicle over to check under the hood and noticed anti-freeze on the ground. When the contact refilled the radiator with anti-freeze, it would continue to leak out. There were no warning indicators illuminated.
While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road where the officer attempted to restart the vehicle, but it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a county garage.
Battery light, brake light, abs light, traction light came on. Car started to kill. Had to pull off road and could barely turn steering wheel. Keep in mind I have my 2 kids in the car. Tried to jump battery and it stated smoking and jumper cables became really hot. Took out battery and brung it in to get checked.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,846 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Charger Police has 7 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Dodge Charger Police?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, steering. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (23%), fuel system, fuel smell (15%), stalls while driving (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Dodge Charger Police?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Dodge Charger Police from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.