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2012 Chrysler 200 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
44% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2012 Chrysler 200 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 55% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 175 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 32%).
Does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 205 of 463 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 200 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (44%), and the largest group is filed under engine (146). For comparison, the 2011 scores 60% and the 2013 scores 52%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2012 compares with other Chrysler 200 years
Of the 7 Chrysler 200 years with enough complaints to score, the 2012 is the 2nd-best on engine and transmission share (44%). The worst is the 2017 (70%), the best the 2014 (43%). By volume, the 2012 drew 638 complaints (205 drivetrain), against 336 for the 2011 and 628 for the 2013.
Chrysler 200 years to avoid and best years →
2011 200 problems · 2012 · 2013 200 problems · 2014 200 problems · 2015 200 problems · 2016 200 problems · 2017 200 problems
The rest of the picture on the 2012 Chrysler 200
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2012 Chrysler 200 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 205 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2012 Chrysler 200 engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2012 Chrysler 200 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Fix: 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.
3 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2012 Chrysler 200? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2012 Chrysler 200
Does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 205 of 463 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler 200 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (44%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Chrysler 200?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2012 Chrysler 200 is engine: 146 of 638 complaints (23%) name it, followed by electrical system (140) and air bags (136). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 44% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 55% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 7 Chrysler 200 years we score, it ranks 2nd-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2012 Chrysler 200?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2012 Chrysler 200 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total: 11V487000 (engine and engine cooling). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Chrysler 200 years are better?
Among the Chrysler 200 years we track, the 2014 (43%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2012 (44%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/chrysler-200
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.