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2012 Chrysler 200 problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

638owner complaints
4safety recalls
29involved a crash

Also reported: 4 fires, 33 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 638.

Engine146
Usually 33,111–99,876 miles (middle half of 123 reports with mileage)
Electrical system140
Usually 45,850–94,950 miles (middle half of 106 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Horn (1); Ignition (1); Wiring (1)
Air bags136
Usually 40,750–88,025 miles (middle half of 66 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Frontal › sensor/control module (1)
Unknown or other103
Usually 54,000–94,700 miles (middle half of 68 reports with mileage)
Seat belts71
Usually 39,000–76,783 miles (middle half of 23 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Front (1)
Visibility/wiper56
Usually 47,000–90,000 miles (middle half of 49 reports with mileage)
Power train54
Usually 32,250–77,000 miles (middle half of 44 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission (1)
Steering45
Usually 9,250–57,000 miles (middle half of 40 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Column (1)
Service brakes40
Usually 19,000–109,000 miles (middle half of 37 reports with mileage)
Exterior lighting36
Usually 1,100–46,750 miles (middle half of 31 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Headlights (2); Turn signal (1)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Engine

123 reports with mileage · median 69,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

106 reports with mileage · median 70,500 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Air bags

66 reports with mileage · median 66,448 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (4)

Recalls that cover the 2012 Chrysler 200. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Air bags › frontal › sensor/control module-inactive; seats › front assembly › head restraint

Campaign 17V640000 · 2017-10-10 · 363,930 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Air bags; air bags › frontal › sensor/control module-inactive; seat belts › pretensioner

Campaign 16V668000 · 2016-09-15 · 1,435,625 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Air bags; electrical system

Campaign 13V282000 · 2013-07-02 · 442,320 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Engine and engine cooling

Campaign 11V487000 · 2011-09-29 · 667 vehicles

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

146 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 33,111 and 99,876 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

140 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 45,850 and 94,950 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

136 owner complaints mention the air bags, half of the reports with mileage are between 40,750 and 88,025 miles.

Do all seat belts latch, release, and retract smoothly? Any seat belt warning light?

71 owner complaints mention the seat belts, half of the reports with mileage are between 39,000 and 76,783 miles.

Do the wipers work on every speed and park correctly? Any wiper motor repairs?

56 owner complaints mention the wipers, half of the reports with mileage are between 47,000 and 90,000 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Chrysler 200 years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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