Dodge Challenger years to avoid (and the best years)

1,539 NHTSA owner complaints and 29 recalls across 13 model years, 2010 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

1,539complaints
29recalls
100reported crashes
49reported fires
92reported injuries

Which Dodge Challenger years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Dodge Challenger years to avoid are 2010 and 2012. The typical Dodge Challenger year has 78 complaints on file.

2010: 299 complaints, 3.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (35% of complaints) and the airbags (25% of complaints).
2012: 253 complaints, 3.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the electrical system (55% of complaints) and the airbags (19% of complaints).

What are the best Dodge Challenger years?

The Dodge Challenger years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (19), 2020 (20) and 2023 (41). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2023	41	0.5×	2	0	0	Few red flags	Wipers and visibility
2021	19	0.2×	2	4	2	Few red flags	Electrical system
2020	20	0.3×	1	1	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2019	58	0.7×	3	5	4	Few red flags	Electrical system
2018	75	1.0×	4	9	8	Few red flags	Electrical system
2017	49	0.6×	3	7	6	Few red flags	Electrical system
2016	78	1.0×	2	10	10	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2015	126	1.6×	6	16	13	Some concerns to check	Transmission and drivetrain
2014	149	1.9×	5	16	16	Some concerns to check	Electrical system
2013	179	2.3×	5	6	7	Some concerns to check	Electrical system
2012	253	3.2×	6	11	8	Approach with caution	Electrical system
2011	193	2.5×	6	5	5	Some concerns to check	Electrical system
2010	299	3.8×	7	10	13	Approach with caution	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 576 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain171 (30%)
Electrical & infotainment157 (27%)
Airbags & seat belts102 (18%)
Structure & body60 (10%)
Other systems33 (6%)

Recalls (29)

Safety · 24V573000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2023
A seat back that is not locked into position can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 24V112000 · Feb 2024 · model year 2023
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Electrical system · 21V664000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Body & glass · 21V516000 · Jul 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 20V191000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2019
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 19V758000 · Oct 2019 · model year 2019
A damaged tire can suddenly lose air pressure and increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V203000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems, increasing the risk of crash.
Airbags · 19V018000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 18V524000 · Aug 2018 · model year 2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 18E053000 · Jul 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V332000 · May 2018 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Transmission · 18V280000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V021000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 17V741000 · Nov 2017 · model year 2014
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Engine · 17V496000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2017
If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Electrical system · 17V435000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Transmission · 17V431000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2017
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission remaining in the PARK position and without the parking brake set, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 16V352000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 15V461000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2015
Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V444000 · Jul 2015 · model year 2010
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 15V282000 · May 2015 · model year 2015
A loose or missing SABIC rear mounting bolt may alter the air bag inflated curtain's deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a side impact or roll-over crash.
Engine · 15V114000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2015
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Electrical system · 14V749000 · Nov 2014 · model year 2015
If the instrument cluster becomes inoperative, it can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Electrical system · 14V634000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 13V118000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2011, 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 13V103000 · Mar 2013 · model year 2013
A short circuit could lead to a vehicle fire.
Steering · 10V475000 · Oct 2010 · model year 2010
LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Electrical system · 10V200000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
THE RESULT OF THE DEFECT COULD LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE KEY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH (WIN MODULE) PRIOR TO PLACING THE SHIFTER IN PARK. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 09V420000 · Oct 2009 · model year 2010
WHILE DRIVING, A TIRE AND WHEEL SEPARATION COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.