Dodge Challenger Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Dodge Challenger options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Dodge Challenger? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Dodge Challenger has 268 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Challenger
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 268
- Safety recall campaigns
- 17
- Crash-related complaints
- 27
- Fire-related complaints
- 9
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (74 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Dodge Challenger: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe DODGE CHALLENGER has 268 NHTSA complaints and 17 recalls on record. 27 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 268 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 17 federal recall campaigns
- 27 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Jul 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
17 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PARKING BRAKE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SERVICE BRAKES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 268 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
268 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Fuel leak from gas tank to engine
Left Back Wheel , Unknown risk factor. They have checked vehicle @Darcars Dealer and says they can’t find an issue, and every 2-3 days I have to put air in tire.this particular tire also have been patched ,but long after the issue started. Unknown Tire pressure warning light, it started January 2023 The dealer also replaced the tire pressure sensor.
The contact owned a 2022 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 65 MPH on I-85 in the left lane, the driver noticed a BMW quickly approaching. The driver attempted to change lanes to the center lane, and the rear end of the vehicle slid out and the vehicle fishtailed into the other vehicle in the far-right lane, traveled across three lanes of traffic and crashed into a brick wall median and then went across all three lanes. The contact stated that after crashing into the brick wall, the seat belt became unlatched. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver sustained injuries to the wrist, which had struck the steering wheel, and the left hand which struck the door on impact. Medical attention was provided at the scene by the EMT and at the hospital the following day. The steering wheel air bag, driver's side side-curtain air bags, and passenger’s side air bags deployed during the crash. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company later towed the vehicle to a tow lot. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and sent an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The inspector determined that the driver’s seat belt was not latched during the crash after performing six push-pull tests on the seat belt. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Unknown
WINE NOISE FROM REAR AXLE AT 45 MPH TO 65 MPH BOUGHT CAR [XXX] RETURNED WITH CAR [XXX] ... DEAN IN THE SERVICE DEPT AT EAST HILLS DODGE SAID THEY HEARD THE NOISE...BUT THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT ...I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RESALE VALUE OF THIS CAR . WITH THIS NOISE..ALSO I KNOW THAT A CAR WITH A BAD RING AND PINION WILL GET WORSE AND COULD LOCK UP ON THE ROAD WHILE I AM DRIVING AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
the alarm keeps going off for no reason
Read 14 more owner reports
The engine makes a whining belt noise after coming to a stop at intersections, drive-through windows, and garages.
The driver's seat belt does not retract quickly on exit. It often flops outside the car and gets closed in the door.
Both sideview mirrors scratched easily even though I only use clean microfiber cloths to wash them. The scratches have gotten worse over time, and are starting to obstruct visibility.
My steering was locked up when I started my car in the cold then on my first turn, it completely locked up and it did this several times and it makes a grinding noise. I am assuming one of the bearings has failed in it, but it failing on me the rack locking up is something different I believe.
I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn’t get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it’s the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. I asked him and he confirmed it’s not a common thing to break at the low miles (14741 miles on the vehicle) but I need to reach out to Dodge Customer Service to see if it would fall under “defective parts” claim. Please help me open a case and take care of this issue. It is a very serious safety issue if the rod would just snap like that during normal vehicle operation. This could have needed very badly. Thank you!
In your own words, tell us what happened. Cro I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn't get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it's the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. I asked him and he confirmed it's not a common thing to break at the low miles (14741 miles on the vehicle) but I need to reach out to Dodge Customer Service to see if it would fall under "defective parts" claim. Please help me open a case and take care of this issue. It is a very serious safety issue if the rod would just snap like that during normal vehicle operation. This could have needed very badly. Thank you!
Air conditioning system failed. Stopped blowing cool air. Leak developed in system and it was traced to the evaporator core
Cooling fans exploded an went through radiator, making the car inoperable!
Good afternoon, my right headlight wiring harness had rubbed on the frame down to the wires, actually meta l to metal and caused my head light to blow out and my turn signal to malfunction and there is no warning light for the headlight being out, I called the dealership and they said there's no recall and they want a lot of money to fix this problem, I'm afraid it may cause a fire, I've noticed this for about a week, I ordered a new light on 8/22 and that's when I noticed the bare wires
Seat belt starting to unlock on its own-Driver Airbag malfunction-Passenger seat Reverse gear malfunction -code. Tsb 21-039-24
On 11-Jul-24 about 3:45 pm I was driving on the highway appox 70 mph and my sunroof exploded. There was only one car near me and not in a position to throw up any rocks.
Trunk is opening automatically while driving
While driving the air conditioning control’s stopped working. It required restarting the vehicle, to get it to work again . The air also started blowing out the defrost vents without being changed to blow through them.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle momentarily powered off; while coasting to the side of the road, the vehicle suddenly powered back on and continued to drive as needed. The contact stated that during the failure, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The vehicle independently restarted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,800.
Showing 20 of 268 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Dodge Challenger
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Dodge Challenger, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Dodge Challenger has 268 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Dodge Challenger has 17 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 27 of the Dodge Challenger's 268 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Dodge Challenger vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Dodge Challenger vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Dodge Challenger has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Dodge Challenger stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Dodge Challenger by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Dodge Challenger.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Dodge Challenger reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge Challenger reliable?
Poor. The Dodge Challenger has 268 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Dodge Challenger years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (74 complaints), 2019 (57 complaints), 2017 (49 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Dodge Challenger problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (76 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (74 complaints); ENGINE (29 complaints).
Does the Dodge Challenger have recalls?
Yes — 17 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Dodge Challenger. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.