2012 Chrysler 200: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2012 Chrysler 200: CAUTION — 639 owner complaints, 1.9× the 200 median year by raw count; top issue: engine (146 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 1.49, where 1.00 is a typical 200 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. 45% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2008–2018 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
639
NHTSA complaints
1.9×
vs. median 200 year
170
Service bulletins
4
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2012 Chrysler 200 problems
Engine leads a spread-out record, named in 23% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2012 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 146 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 140 | 22% |
| Air bags | 136 | 21% |
| Unknown or other | 103 | 16% |
| Seat belts | 71 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2012 Chrysler 200 recalls
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012, reported between Sep 29, 2011 and Oct 10, 2017.
2012 Chrysler 200 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 170 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2012 — close to the 170 of the median 200 year from 2008 to 2018. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (35), powertrain / transmission (28), structure (27). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2012 vs. the year before and after
From the 2011 to the 2012, owner complaints rose 90% (336 → 639) — a step backward. The 2013 that followed held roughly level (639 → 628).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 200 | SOLID | 336 | 135 | 3 | — |
| 2012 (this page) | CAUTION | 639 | 170 | 4 | — |
| 2013 200 | AVOID | 628 | 214 | 5 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Chrysler 200 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2012 Chrysler 200
Engine (146 complaints on the 2012): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Electrical system (140 complaints on the 2012): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Air bags (136 complaints on the 2012): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Seat belts (71 complaints on the 2012): pull each belt fully, make sure it retracts and latches, and check the belt warning light.
Visibility / wipers (56 complaints on the 2012): test the wipers at every speed, the washers, defrosters and the climate system.
Recalls: confirm all 4 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2012 Chrysler 200 — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2012 Chrysler 200 reliable?
2012 Chrysler 200: CAUTION — 639 owner complaints, 1.9× the 200 median year by raw count; top issue: engine (146 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 1.49, where 1.00 is a typical 200 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2012 Chrysler 200 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2012 Chrysler 200 are engine (146, 23%), electrical system (140, 22%), air bags (136, 21%). The manufacturer has 170 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chrysler 200 have?
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012 Chrysler 200, most recently 17V640000 (Oct 10, 2017, seats); 16V668000 (Sep 15, 2016, seat belts); 13V282000 (Jul 2, 2013, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2012 Chrysler 200 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2012 Chrysler 200 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.