Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Challenger vs Dodge Durango
How the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Durango compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Challenger vs Dodge Durango: The Challenger averages 62.6 complaints per year, while the Durango averages 97.3, with both having 30 recalls. The Durango's complaints often involve exterior lighting and electrical issues, including shifter defects, while the Challenger's top issue is the electrical system. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Challenger or Dodge Durango more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is a rear-wheel-drive coupe that owners often buy for its looks and power, but the NHTSA data shows a steady stream of electrical and engine complaints. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 63 complaints per year, with the electrical system being the most common trouble spot. Owners report issues like sudden instrument cluster failures, power steering loss, and fuel pump failures, which can be alarming and costly. While it has 30 recalls, many complaints involve problems that may not be covered by a recall, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is crucial.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango is a three-row SUV that families often choose for its size and towing capability, but it has a higher complaint rate than the Challenger, averaging about 97 complaints per year. Exterior lighting and electrical system problems dominate the reports, with owners describing shifter defects, Uconnect failures, and vehicles that won't start. Some complaints involve serious safety issues like unintended gear shifts and loss of critical functions. With 30 recalls, it's important to check that all recall work has been completed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Challenger | Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 626 Better | 973 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 | 30 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 69 | 38 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 62.6 Better | 97.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 | 37 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Dodge Challenger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM181
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER116
- 03ENGINE103
- 04POWER TRAIN84
- 05AIR BAGS60
Owners report the instrument cluster lighting up with multiple warnings at once, sometimes accompanied by jerking, and in one case, the electric steering rack failed completely, making the car impossible to steer. These failures can happen without warning and may lead to accidents.
Complaints include catastrophic fuel pump failure at low mileage, causing the vehicle to stall or lose power while driving. Another owner described the vehicle momentarily powering off and then back on at 30 mph, which could be dangerous in traffic.
Some owners report buying used Challengers with undisclosed prior damage or mechanical issues, such as a drive shaft problem that nearly caused an accident right after purchase. This highlights the importance of a pre-purchase inspection and checking the vehicle's history.
Complaints range from missing spare tires (relying on an inflator kit) to infotainment glitches like the Uconnect ringer volume blasting at maximum and unable to be changed. These are annoyances but can also distract the driver.
“The cars light notifications on instrument cluster panel turned on all of them at the same time while accelerating jerking the car on freeway I have video of that happening and can provide it upon request it did caused a minor accident but I settled the accid…”
“While operating my vehicle at road speed the electric steering rack failed. This rendered the steering inoperative. It was impossible to steer the vehicle. Not only is this situation extremely dangerous and deadly, there was no advanced warning. I received no…”
Dodge Durango
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING333
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM266
- 03ENGINE128
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER116
- 05POWER TRAIN86
Many complaints actually describe a dangerous shifter defect where the transmission shifts into Neutral while accelerating, which can lead to loss of power and potential rollaway. This is a serious safety concern that owners say happens without warning.
Owners report new Durangos with very low mileage failing to start, only clicking, and Uconnect infotainment failures that disable critical functions. Some vehicles have spent weeks at the dealership without a fix.
Complaints include air conditioning failing at 340 miles and unresolved front-end noises that dealerships cannot diagnose. These issues can be frustrating and may indicate broader quality control problems.
Like the Challenger, some Durangos come without a spare tire or inflation kit, leaving owners stranded. Others report persistent front-end noises that remain unfixed after multiple dealer visits.
“2024 Dodge Durango (SXT Plus, GT Plus, RT trims) Update to my prior complaint regarding a dangerous shifter defect. Defect Description: While driving and pressing the accelerator (no brake, no shifter button pressed), the transmission shifts into Neutral with…”
“I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring safety-related defects on my 2023 Dodge Durango RT. 1.Uconnect Failure: The Uconnect infotainment/communication box has repeatedly failed, causing loss of access to critical vehicle functions. These failures…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Dodge Challenger — 30 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 2, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z68.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor battery may fail prematurely and cause the sensor to become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Inoperative TPMS sensors will not alert the driver to low tire pressure. In addition, a TPMS warning light that is already illuminated from a failed battery sensor will mask an actual tire pressure failure issue. Either of these scenarios…
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the TPMS sensors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is ZB5. This…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…
The risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for thi…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Veh…
The risk: Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number…
Dodge Durango — 30 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles equipped with an instrument panel mounted shifter. The shifter may experience an interference with the shifter boot and come out of gear while driving, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power.
The risk: A sudden loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel mounted shifter boot, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Dodge Durango vehicles. The rear spoiler may not be aligned properly with the roof, possibly resulting in damage to the spoiler during liftgate use.
The risk: A damaged rear spoiler may detach and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace or repair the spoiler and align the liftgate as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 10, 2026. A second notice will be sent onc…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio d…
The risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall bega…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Durango vehicles. The Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) fastener may be loose or missing.
The risk: A loose or missing fastener may cause the side curtain air bag to deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will tighten or replace the fastener, free of charge. Owner notification letters were sent on May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y16.
Buyer analysis
Dodge Challenger or Dodge Durango: which should you buy?
The Dodge Challenger has fewer complaints per year (about 63) compared to the Dodge Durango (about 97), suggesting the Challenger may have fewer recurring issues. However, both have 30 recalls, and the Durango's complaints include more serious safety defects like unintended gear shifts. In practice, the Challenger might be less troublesome overall, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Durango has a higher annual complaint rate (97.3 vs 62.6), with exterior lighting and electrical problems being the most common, while the Challenger's top issue is the electrical system.
- Durango owners report dangerous shifter defects causing unintended neutral shifts, a problem not highlighted in Challenger complaints.
- Challenger complaints include electric steering failure and fuel pump failure, while Durango complaints include Uconnect failures and no-start conditions.
- Both have 30 recalls, but the Durango's recalls include critical fasteners for air bags and transmission lever issues, while the Challenger's recalls include tire pressure monitoring and windshield problems.
- Check for any signs of electrical gremlins: test all lights, infotainment, and power steering; listen for unusual noises from the steering rack.
- Inspect the fuel pump and engine performance; look for any hesitation or stalling during a test drive, and ask for maintenance records.
- Test the transmission shifter thoroughly: ensure it does not slip into neutral unexpectedly; check for any recalls related to the shifter.
- Verify that the Uconnect system and all electrical functions work properly; check for any no-start issues or battery drain.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any outstanding recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the electrical system, transmission, and engine.
- Test drive the vehicle under various conditions, including highway speeds, and check for any warning lights or unusual behavior.
- For the Durango, specifically test the shifter and Uconnect system; for the Challenger, test the power steering and fuel pump.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that all recall work has been completed.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Dodge Challenger | Dodge Durango |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 43 | 37 |
| 2022 | 9 | 58 |
| 2021 | 19 | 202 |
| 2020 | 20 | 55 |
| 2019 | 58 | 142 |
| 2018 | 75 | 232 |
| 2017 | 49 | 212 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Dodge Challenger or Dodge Durango in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Challenger vs Dodge Durango
- Dodge Challenger total complaints
- 626
- Dodge Durango total complaints
- 973
- Dodge Challenger total recalls
- 30
- Dodge Durango total recalls
- 30
- Dodge Challenger avg complaints/year
- 62.6
- Dodge Durango avg complaints/year
- 97.3
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Challenger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Dodge Durango top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING