2012 Chrysler 200 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 200, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
102
Recalls
4
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
6
Median mileage
116,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 42 of 102 complaints (41%).
  • Electrical System (33) and airbags (12) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 116,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries.
  • The 2012 Chrysler 200 has 4 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 4th of 7 Chrysler 200 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 85% more complaints than the 2011 model year (55).

2012 Chrysler 200 problems by category

  • 42 complaints
  • 33 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    23 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    12 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    10 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    8 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    6 complaints
  • Brakes
    6 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    3 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine39
Electrical system32
Unknown or other23
Air bags12
Visibility/wiper8
Power train8
Seats5
Service brakes5

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k210k–30k430k–60k1660k–100k25100k–150k11150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Chrysler 200 complaints that list mileage.

2012 Chrysler 200 recalls (4)

  • Recall 17V640000Oct 10, 2017363,930 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.

    Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.

  • Recall 16V668000Sep 15, 20161,435,625 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.

  • Recall 13V282000Jul 2, 2013442,320 vehicles
    AIR BAGS · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

  • Recall 11V487000Sep 29, 2011667 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from august 31, 2011, through september 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.

    Risk: Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about november 18, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • PE19014Opened Sep 9, 2019Closed Feb 25, 2026

    Active Head Rest Inadvertent Deployment

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments in…

Recent 2012 Chrysler 200 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Apr 27, 2026MOOther / Unknown
    My husband sat down in the driver seat of my vehicle thatwas parked in our driveway and wasnt even turned on and the head rest deployed and smacked the back of his head
    NHTSA complaint #11734109 · source
  2. Filed Apr 21, 2026TXEngine
    Replaced all spark plugs and coils , code is saying misfire cylinder 4..replaced intake manifold gasket code states multiple cylinder misfire .My [XXX] was stranded in the middle of a busy road due to loss of power the.engine jeking..cutting out .after $1000 worth of shop work CHRYSLER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ITS INSANITY .....IM TIRED OF DUMPING MONEY INTO THE CAR THAT HAS A MAKER ISSUE !!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.…
    NHTSA complaint #11732791 · source
  3. Filed Mar 5, 2026127,000 miMIElectrical SystemLightingVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds at night, the headlights intermittently became inoperable. The failure occurred with the high beam and low beam headlights. Additionally, the windshield wipers only operated at high speeds because the variable speed control was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The battery was replaced; however, the failures reoccurred. The contact had not taken the…
    NHTSA complaint #11722191 · source
  4. Filed Aug 9, 2025MIAirbagsElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
    The problem seems to be with the electrical system the TIPM is malfunctioning. Wipers will stop midstream or run constantly, any time power is engaged in the car the wipers will begin to work whether the switch is on or off and regardless if the key is even in the ignition or not. Airbag lights are lit up, blinker switch will engage wipers to run.
    NHTSA complaint #11679512 · source
  5. Filed Aug 4, 2025GAAirbags
    The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
    NHTSA complaint #11678165 · source
  6. Filed Jul 31, 2025161,123 miSDCrashAirbags
    The contact owned a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed during night, a bright light suddenly obstructed his view to the roadway. The contact's son veered the steering wheel and suddenly crashed into a traffic signal, where it came to a stop. The traffic pole was knocked down and landed on top of the vehicle, damaging the front windshield and roof. The contact's son was unsure what exactly happened, and is unsure…
    NHTSA complaint #11677588 · source
  7. Filed Jan 7, 2025ORElectrical SystemTransmission & DrivetrainVisibility & Wipers
    It happened to my wife with our three kiddos in the car, she was on the freeway doing speed limit 65 when the car just shut off going around a corner at night all of everything shut off including head lights, power steering, and moter it almost through her and kids off the road in the dark ,the wipers shut off whenever they want and the healights off and on without warning, the horn blows unpredictable like , eceleration from bogging down to super fast causes the car to…
    NHTSA complaint #11634509 · source
  8. Filed Jan 2, 202542,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler 200. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was restarted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11633638 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology