2021 Dodge Challenger: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2021 Dodge Challenger? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 17 complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions as the top reported area.
2021 Dodge Challenger Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2021 Dodge Challenger trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2021 Dodge Challenger Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2021 Dodge Challenger 2 DR AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
11.1% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
11.1% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2021 Dodge Challenger has 17 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Challenger
- Model year
- 2021
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 17
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 18
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 15 / 23
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2021 Dodge Challenger Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Transmission / Drivetrain
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Transmission / Drivetrain, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2021 Dodge Challenger?
The 2021 Dodge Challenger shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2021 Dodge Challenger
Inspection Focus
- Inspect airbag system and check for any open recalls related to airbags.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, electrical, and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect airbag system and check for any open recalls related to airbags.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, electrical, and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2021 Dodge Challenger, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Dodge Challenger, issues are concentrated in airbag malfunctions, transmission/drivetrain, electrical faults, and engine problems. Four complaints mention crashes, but the data is limited to a single model year and low confidence.
- Airbag malfunctions account for the highest number of complaints (4) among reported components.
- Transmission/drivetrain, electrical faults, and engine problems each have 3 complaints.
- Crash-related complaints total 4, though causation is not confirmed.
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Electrical Faults
All 2021 Dodge Challenger Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 4 | 3 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| None | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
mileage 61113 . car moves forward 15 feet an goes into neutral .When pulling into traffic this is a serious safety problem . A major accident which could be loss of life might occur . Enterprise car sales will not acknowledge o show any concern . They offered a 12 month or 12000 …
My seatbelt seemed a bit faulty when I purchased the car. It was slow to retract and at some points wouldn’t retract unless I played with the seatbelt. Three years in to owning the car it still won’t retract fully and is at the point where it won’t come out to a safe distance tha…
I purchased this vehicle from Vroom, who is also my lender under United Auto Credit. The car was sold with a washed title and undisclosed prior structural and mechanical damage. I have documentation confirming the vehicle had serious pre-existing issues and should never have been…
My automatic start hasn’t been working for months . Sometimes it work , sometimes it doesn’t . When it doesn’t work I get a message on the dash saying “remote start cancelled hood open . “Iced taken my car to the Dodge dealership several times & it keeps happening . I’ve contact…
On [XXX] I was traveling s/b on [XXX] in Florida in my Dodge Challenger which I purchased from New Smyrna Dodge this year. I was traveling approx 65 mph and all of a sudden the back of my drivers seat went back all the way putting me in a flat position against the rear seat. I…
On [XXX] I was involved in car accident on [XXX] around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. When the impact happened the airbags deployed and cut my wrist (left) and burned my left forearm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 accident with other driv…
The contact was driving a rental vehicle from Enterprise which was a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated there was debris in the high way and the vehicle was pulled into the wall and the air bag did not deploy…
This may not be the correct place to report this but it is a serious problem. Since Google took over the Waze navigation app they have been relentless in popping up ads, useless information and so on. They are now asking if I am driving an electric car of all things.... all wh…
The reverse camera screen is not adjustable and blinds the entire cab including looking into the mirrors. You must cover the screen to even look into the mirrors.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. Additionally, the vehicle pulled back while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an ind…
Left frontal Collision between drivers side head assembly and center front of car- with white tail deer about 100-120 lbs. , causing extensive damage to car. $19,000. Payout from progressive for those extensive repairs. And airbags never deployed. This seems highly alarming to …
The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 55-65 MPH when the vehicle hydroplaned, as a result, the vehicle struck a guard rail head-on and spun out of control. The contact stated that the frontal air bags fail…
The transmission/drive shaft thumps and the car "lurches" upon start-up. This is somehow related to the push button start. My car is also equipped with a factory remote start and no noise is heard, nor does the car lurch on start-up. Please refer to video link: https://youtu.be…
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge SXT. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, it caught on fire without warning. The fire marshals extinguished the flames. A report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. Th…
speedometer is messed up and not working properly what should I do?
Challenger less than a week from the dealership and less than 1,000 miles. Catastrophic fuel pump failure while driving, unable to recover. Rear view back up camera freezes and stutters causing safety issues. Radio volume constantly changes while driving and leads to distrac…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2021 Dodge Challenger.
2021 Dodge Challenger Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2021 Dodge Challenger Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2021 Dodge Challenger reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 17 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2021 Dodge Challenger shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Dodge Challenger?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (4 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (3 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (3 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Dodge Challenger?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2021 Dodge Challenger?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2021 Dodge Challenger, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 17 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2021 Dodge Challenger. A major recall area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2021 Dodge Challenger?▾
The 2021 Dodge Challenger shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Challenger reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2021 Dodge Challenger based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.