Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Charger vs Dodge Challenger
How the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Dodge Charger vs Dodge Challenger: The Charger averages 54.9 complaints per year and has 32 recalls, while the Challenger averages 62.6 complaints per year and has 30 recalls. The Challenger has more crash-related complaints (69 vs. 36) and injuries (60 vs. 31). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Charger or Dodge Challenger more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a large sedan that has averaged about 55 complaints per year over the past decade, with electrical problems being the most common owner gripe. Air bag issues are also frequently reported, including cases where recall repairs left interior parts loose or obstructing the driver's view. Engine and power train complaints round out the list, often involving surging, rough shifting, or loose underbody components. Overall, it's a car that demands attention to electrical and safety-system details.
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is a coupe that has generated roughly 63 complaints per year, slightly more than the Charger. Electrical system failures lead the list, with owners reporting everything from instrument cluster glitches to a complete loss of electric steering assist. Engine and power train complaints are also prominent, including fuel pump failures and transmission issues. Air bag complaints are fewer than in the Charger but still present.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Charger | Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 549 Better | 626 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 | 30 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 36 Better | 69 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.9 Better | 62.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 31 Better | 60 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 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 Charger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM168
- 02AIR BAGS118
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER107
- 04ENGINE61
- 05POWER TRAIN56
Owners report turn signals that stop working, headlights that flicker on and off due to overheating wiring, and other electrical gremlins. These failures can affect safety and are often intermittent, making them hard to diagnose.
Complaints include air bag recalls performed incorrectly, leaving headliners and mirrors hanging loose and obstructing the driver's view. There are also reports of loss of control and rear-end lockup, though the link to air bags is unclear.
Owners describe surging during mild acceleration, transmission computer resets that don't fully fix the issue, and underbody plastic covers and components that detach. These problems can worsen over time and affect drivability.
Aggressive downshifts, especially from gear 6, cause the car to jump and lurch. This can be startling and may indicate transmission wear or software issues that need attention.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a recurring right turn signal malfunction on my 2022 Dodge Charger SXT, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle is experiencing a failure involving the right turn signal. This is concerning because the turn signal is required safety eq…”
“1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too m…”
Dodge Challenger
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM181
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER116
- 03ENGINE103
- 04POWER TRAIN84
- 05AIR BAGS60
Owners report all instrument cluster lights turning on at once while accelerating, causing jerking, and in one case, an electric steering rack failed completely, making the car impossible to steer. These are serious safety concerns.
Complaints include catastrophic fuel pump failure within the first week of ownership, momentary power loss while driving, and backup camera freezes. These issues can leave a driver stranded or distracted.
Owners report driveshaft problems, including a shaft that was out of place right after purchase, and vehicles sold with undisclosed structural damage. These can lead to accidents and costly repairs.
Issues range from missing spare tires (replaced by inflator kits) to infotainment glitches like maximum-volume ringers that can't be adjusted. These are annoyances that affect daily usability.
“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…”
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 Charger — 32 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 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
The risk: An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Dodge Charger or Dodge Challenger: which should you buy?
The Dodge Charger has fewer complaints per year (about 55) than the Dodge Challenger (about 63), but both have similar patterns of electrical and engine problems. The Charger also has more recalls (32 vs. 30) and one reported death, while the Challenger has more crash-related complaints (69 vs. 36) and injuries (60 vs. 31). In practice, the Charger may have slightly fewer overall issues, but the Challenger's higher crash and injury counts suggest a need for extra caution.
Key differences
- The Charger has more air bag complaints (118 vs. 60) and one death, while the Challenger has more crash-related complaints (69 vs. 36) and injuries (60 vs. 31).
- Challenger owners report electric steering rack failure, a severe safety issue not highlighted in Charger complaints.
- Charger complaints include turn signal and headlight wiring problems; Challenger complaints include instrument cluster glitches and infotainment volume issues.
- Both have engine and power train complaints, but the Challenger has more engine complaints (103 vs. 61) and power train complaints (84 vs. 56).
- Check for intermittent turn signal and headlight operation, as owners report wiring harness overheating and bulbs that flicker on and off.
- Inspect the underbody for loose plastic covers or detached components, especially after tire changes or service.
- Test the electric steering at low and high speeds; any hesitation or warning lights could indicate a failing rack.
- Listen for fuel pump whine or hesitation on acceleration, and verify the backup camera and infotainment system work without freezing or volume spikes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for prior structural damage or washed titles, especially on the Challenger.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including turn signals, headlights, and instrument cluster, on both models.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for transmission surging or aggressive downshifts, common in both cars.
- Verify that all recall repairs have been completed, particularly air bag recalls on the Charger, and check for proper reassembly.
- Check for a spare tire or inflator kit and ensure it is functional, as some Challengers lack a spare.
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 Charger | Dodge Challenger |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 26 | 43 |
| 2022 | 16 | 9 |
| 2021 | 35 | 19 |
| 2020 | 57 | 20 |
| 2019 | 120 | 58 |
| 2018 | 122 | 75 |
| 2017 | 128 | 49 |
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 Charger or Dodge Challenger in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Charger vs Dodge Challenger
- Dodge Charger total complaints
- 549
- Dodge Challenger total complaints
- 626
- Dodge Charger total recalls
- 32
- Dodge Challenger total recalls
- 30
- Dodge Charger avg complaints/year
- 54.9
- Dodge Challenger avg complaints/year
- 62.6
- More reliable overall
- Dodge Charger
- Dodge Charger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Dodge Challenger top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM