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 62.6 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1. The F-150 also has 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, compared to 30 and 69 for the Challenger. 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 that owners often buy for its style and performance, but the NHTSA data shows a steady stream of complaints—about 63 per year over the last decade. Electrical problems are the most common, with reports of instrument cluster lights flashing, power steering failure, and infotainment glitches. Engine and power train issues also appear, including fuel pump failures and transmission problems. While the overall complaint count is relatively low, the severity of some issues, like sudden power loss or steering failure, means buyers should be cautious.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that is hugely popular, but it also has a massive number of complaints—over 1,100 per year on average. Power train issues dominate, with many owners reporting transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures. Electrical system complaints are also frequent, often related to the same lead frame issue or sensor failures. There are also reports of rear window defroster shorts causing windows to shatter. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, the F-150 requires careful inspection and awareness of common failure points.
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 | 626 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 69 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 62.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 Better | 297 |
| 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 SYSTEM181
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER116
- 03ENGINE103
- 04POWER TRAIN84
- 05AIR BAGS60
Owners report sudden instrument cluster warning lights, power steering failure, and infotainment glitches like loud ringers or volume changes. These can be distracting or dangerous, especially if steering assist fails while driving.
Complaints include catastrophic fuel pump failure at low mileage and intermittent power loss while driving. Such failures can leave you stranded or cause a crash, so a pre-purchase inspection should focus on fuel delivery and electrical connections.
Some owners report transmission issues, including a shaft problem that nearly caused an accident right after purchase. Others mention undisclosed prior damage. A thorough test drive and history check are essential.
With 60 complaints related to air bags, this is a safety concern. While not detailed in the sample, buyers should verify that any recalls for air bag components have been addressed.
“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 TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint area, with reports of transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can be dangerous and expensive to fix, so a transmission inspection is critical.
Many electrical complaints stem from the same lead frame issue, plus sensor failures that trigger limp mode. There are also reports of rear window defroster shorts causing the window to shatter. Check for these symptoms during a test drive.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are frequent. Owners may experience flickering or failing lights, which can affect visibility and safety. Inspect all lights and consider having the electrical system checked.
Engine complaints include various issues, though not detailed in the sample. Given the high number of recalls for engine problems, buyers should verify that all recall work has been completed.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 — 151 recalls
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 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 and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Challenger or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Dodge Challenger has far fewer complaints per year (about 63) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160). In practice, this means the Challenger may have fewer recurring problems, but the F-150's issues are more widespread and often related to serious power train failures. Buyers should weigh the lower complaint rate against the severity of reported problems.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has nearly 20 times more complaints per year than the Dodge Challenger, with power train issues being the most common.
- Challenger owners frequently report electrical gremlins like power steering failure and infotainment glitches, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 30 for the Challenger, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the F-150 (330 vs. 69), often linked to power train failures that cause sudden loss of power.
- Test the power steering at low and high speeds; listen for whining or feel for assist loss, as owners report sudden steering rack failure.
- Check the infotainment system for volume spikes or frozen backup camera, and ensure all electrical functions work smoothly.
- During a test drive, accelerate and decelerate to check for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode; scan for stored codes like P0722.
- Inspect the rear window for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster; also check all exterior lights for proper function.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission (F-150) or electrical system (Challenger).
- Test drive for at least 30 minutes, including highway speeds, to replicate conditions that trigger reported issues.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed, and request documentation.
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 | 43 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 9 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 19 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 20 | 44 |
| 2019 | 58 | 52 |
| 2018 | 75 | 79 |
| 2017 | 49 | 59 |
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
- 626
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Dodge Challenger total recalls
- 30
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Dodge Challenger avg complaints/year
- 62.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Challenger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN