Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Challenger vs FORD F 150
How the Dodge Challenger and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The Challenger averages 62 complaints per year with 30 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The F-150 has more transmission and electrical issues, but the Challenger has severe steering and engine failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Challenger or FORD F 150 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 with a performance focus, and over ten years it has averaged about 62 complaints per year. The most common complaints involve electrical system glitches, engine stalling, and power train problems, with some owners reporting sudden loss of steering or power. While the overall complaint count is lower than some vehicles, the severity of issues like steering failure and engine shutdowns can be alarming. Buyers should be aware that even low-mileage examples can experience major component failures.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that has averaged over 1,100 complaints per year for the past decade, with power train and electrical issues dominating. Many owners report harsh transmission shifts, sudden loss of power, and electrical gremlins such as camera malfunctions. The high volume of complaints and recalls suggests that while the F-150 is popular, it has a significant number of reported problems. Buyers should carefully inspect the transmission and electrical systems before purchasing.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Challenger | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 622 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 69 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 62.2 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 SYSTEM179
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER115
- 03ENGINE103
- 04POWER TRAIN84
- 05AIR BAGS60
Owners report instrument cluster lights flashing and electric steering rack failure, which can cause sudden loss of steering control. These issues often occur without warning and may lead to accidents.
Complaints include catastrophic fuel pump failure and momentary power loss while driving, sometimes within the first 1,000 miles. Such failures can leave drivers stranded or cause dangerous situations on the road.
Some owners have experienced transmission problems, including a drive shaft coming loose and causing near-accidents. These issues may stem from prior damage or manufacturing defects.
There are 60 complaints related to air bags, though specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample. Buyers should check for any open recalls or warning lights related to the air bag system.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most common complaint area, with owners reporting hard or delayed shifts, jerking, and sudden loss of power from the 10-speed automatic transmission. These issues can cause the truck to shut off or lurch unexpectedly.
Owners frequently report warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available,' as well as loud bangs from the transmission. These electrical glitches can affect safety features and driver confidence.
With 1,164 complaints, exterior lighting issues are prominent, though specific details are not in the sample. Problems may include headlight failures or malfunctions that reduce visibility.
Engine-related complaints number 847, but the sample does not specify common failures. Buyers should be alert to any signs of engine trouble, such as rough idling or check engine lights.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
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…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Challenger or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Challenger has far fewer complaints per year (about 62) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Challenger's issues can be severe, such as steering failure. The F-150's higher complaint volume means transmission and electrical problems are more widespread. In practice, a used Challenger may have fewer reported problems overall, but a used F-150 is more likely to have a known transmission or electrical issue.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 18 times more complaints per year than the Dodge Challenger, with power train issues being the most frequent.
- Dodge Challenger owners report sudden electric steering failure, while Ford F-150 owners commonly report transmission jerking and loss of power.
- The F-150 has 145 recalls versus 30 for the Challenger, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes.
- Both vehicles have electrical complaints, but the Challenger's are often instrument cluster or steering-related, while the F-150's involve camera and collision assist warnings.
- Test the electric power steering at various speeds for any hesitation or failure, as owners report sudden loss of steering.
- Check for any signs of fuel pump issues, such as difficulty starting or stalling, especially on low-mileage models.
- Test drive the truck extensively, focusing on transmission shifts between gears 4-5, 5-6, and 7-8 for jerking or delayed engagement.
- Verify that all electrical features, including cameras and collision assist, function without warnings, as these are common complaint areas.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for prior damage or washed titles, especially for the Challenger.
- Ask for proof that all recalls have been performed, particularly for the F-150's transmission and electrical recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical systems on both vehicles, with special attention to the F-150's 10-speed automatic.
- For the Challenger, test the steering and fuel system thoroughly, and check for any instrument cluster warning lights.
- For the F-150, check for the latest software updates for the transmission and camera systems, as some issues may be addressed by reflashing.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 9 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 19 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 20 | 33 |
| 2019 | 57 | 36 |
| 2018 | 75 | 56 |
| 2017 | 49 | 43 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Challenger vs FORD F 150
- Dodge Challenger total complaints
- 622
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Dodge Challenger total recalls
- 30
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Dodge Challenger avg complaints/year
- 62.2
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Challenger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN