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2012 Chrysler 200 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2012 Chrysler 200 carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering head restraint and pretensioner. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Passenger-side heater core blockage and no defrost.” Chrysler's Oil Change Indicator tracks engine load and duty cycle, then messages when oil life is used up — capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 (300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Voyager) is long-interval by design: spark plugs at 100,000 miles and no timing belt. Minivans in family duty count as 'severe service' more often than owners think — frequent short trips shorten the oil indicator's countdown, and that's the system working correctly.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

Campaign #17V640000 · Oct 10, 2017

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

Campaign #16V668000 · Sep 15, 2016

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #13V282000 · Feb 7, 2013

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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 · Sep 29, 2011

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Chrysler 200.

Reported to NHTSA

Passenger-side heater core blockage and no defrost

VISIBILITY/WIPER

18 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2020-06

“THE HEATER CORE BECOME CLOGGED PREVENTING AIR FLOW, TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. I EVEN DID THE REGULAR SCHEDULED COOLANT FLUSHES TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, AND IT STILL HAPPENED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11310029
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER 200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDMARK DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (1900 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055) FOUR TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE HEATER COOLER WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11174850
“APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN 2012 WHICH CHRYSLER HAS KNOWN ABOUT. NO HEAT/ DEFROST ON PASSENGER SIDE APPARENTLY CAUSED BY ENGINE BLOCK MANUFACTURING PROCESS FLUIDS MIXING WITH ANTIFREEZE CAUSING A BLOCKAGE IN HEATER CORE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269149

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine overheating from coolant system failure

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2024-02

“Engine keeps overheating with no engine codes I have changed the thermostat the thermostat housing the radiator both fans and the water pump and none of this has fixed the problem the coolant doesn’t cycle from the coolant reservoir”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11546016
“THE CAR WON'T STOP OVERHEATING, WE HAVE REPLACED THERMOSTATS AND PUMPS THINKING THERE WAS A LEAK BUT THAT NEVER STOPPED THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11415557
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER 200. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT A LOWER SPEED UNTIL SHE ARRIVED HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11233179

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall with loss of steering and brake assist

ENGINE

59 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2026-04

“WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. NO WARNING OF IT ABOUT TO HAPPEN JUST DOES. I LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES AND TURNS ON ONLY AFTER TIME GOES BY OR BY REMOVING NEGATIVE TERMINAL FROM BATTERY. IT'S HAPPENED AT 35MPH AND AT 60 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11413701
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER 200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF RADIATOR FLUID DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11331426
“MY VEHICLE STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME OF OVER 100X ON MAY 19, 2019 JUST AS I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY. IT HAS SINCE STALLED DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FAST AND AT RED LIGHTS. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WRITE THIS COMPLAINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11395031

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

TIPM-related horn, wiper, and light malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

19 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2026-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679512
“MY HORN STARTED HONKING ON IT OWN. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR AND HAD NOT TOUCHED IT, THE HORN STARTED HONKING. I GOT IN THE CAR AND IT STOPPED. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR THE HORN HONKS ON ITS OWN, SOMETIMES LONG HONKS OTHER TIMES BRIEF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11171143
“THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND THE HEAD AND BACK LIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVIING IN TRAFFIC. SOMETIMES IT DOESNT START AT ALL , I HAVE TO BAQNG THE DOOR AND THEN THE LOGHTAS WILL COME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340889

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Active head restraint deploying without impact

SEATS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2026-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11734109
“Driver's active headrest deployed while driving. There was no accident or collision of any kind. Just driving and it popped me in the back of the head. It hurt and caused me to swerve, almost caused an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11547519
“THE HEAD REST IS DETACHED FROM THE SEAT AND IS VERY UNSAFE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11265881

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a rear-end collision

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-07

“ON JUNE 21ST, 2020 I WAS AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A VAN HIT ME IN THE REAR AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ME AND MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN THE CAR AND INJURED. I GOT TAKING TO THE HOSPITAL RIGHT AWAY AND MY REST OF MY FAMILY WENT AFTER I WAS TAKEN IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11330166
“The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677588

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change oil when the indicator message appears — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L uses 0W-20; PT Cruiser's 2.4L uses 5W-30. Short-trip city driving will trigger the indicator well before 10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles or at every oil change. Front-heavy minivans (Pacifica, Voyager) chew front tires quickly without rotation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Loaded minivans and the heavy 300 wear rear pads faster than expected — check both axles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Timing Belt (2.4L PT Cruiser)

Every 100,000 mi

PT Cruiser's 2.4L is a timing-belt engine: replace around 100,000 miles (check your manual's exact interval for the year). Do the water pump and tensioner in the same job — the labor overlaps almost entirely.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Minivans (62TE six-speed): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles under family duty. 300 with the ZF/TorqueFlite 8-speed: Chrysler lists no normal-service interval, but specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000-100,000 miles. ATF+4 or the specified 8-speed fluid only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Pentastar 3.6L: iridium plugs at 100,000 miles. PT Cruiser 2.4L: roughly every 30,000 miles with conventional plugs — check the manual for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. On the Pentastar it's a quick top-of-engine job; inspect sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on evidence of cracking or glazing. A failed belt on the Pentastar takes the water pump drive with it — don't run it to destruction.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles — behind the glovebox on Pacifica, Voyager, and 300. Family-hauler duty (pets, gravel school lots) argues for yearly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant: first replacement at 10 years or 150,000 miles per the schedule; many shops suggest refreshing by 100,000 miles. Use OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing types gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually once the battery passes 3 years old. Pacifica's stop-start system uses a pricier AGM or dual-battery setup — weak batteries throw confusing electrical faults first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

133 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

29

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Chrysler 200 reflects Chrysler's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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