2012 Dodge Charger: Alternator went out
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Charger report: alternator went out. CarComplaints.com lists 24 owner complaints, average mileage 66,550 miles.
NHTSA has 359 owner complaints for the 2012 Charger in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11701383 (filed 11/25/2025): “Headlight pigtail assembly burned out as described in the 2014 safety recall. 14v-101 / p08 recall summary the wiring sub-harnesses for the headlights may overheat, and the low beam headlights may fail. dealers will replace the headlamp jumper harnesses and b…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11657915 (filed 04/30/2025): “My vehicle has been experiencing electrical issues causing my radio to cut off and my car to cut off and lose power while driving. when the car is moving and loses power it's causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace alternator (11 reports) replaced alternator (10 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Moderate
Finding and splicing chewed wiring is doable with a multimeter and patience but can be time-consuming; harness replacement is pro work. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $690 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: alternator replacement
Average shop cost
$240
Range $100–$415 (labor)
1.0–3.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$360
Range $150–$625 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2013 Dodge Durango: Alternator stopped working
Page last updated .