Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2008 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA between 2009 and 2023.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 14 of 16 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Dodge Challenger. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 51
30% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Dodge Challenger
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Dodge Challenger
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
423.5%
Electrical System
423.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 33,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
317.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 57,427 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
211.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 48,213 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
211.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 120,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.9%
Median failure at 1,900 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
220.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
440.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
220.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
220.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2009peak 3Mar 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Dodge Challenger
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2008 Dodge Challenger
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016265459,492 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.
Recall 20153058,538 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator.
Recall 2008326760 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles equipped with the "Keyless Go" option, fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Theft Protection and Rollaway. If the remote keyless entry transmitter is removed from the vehicle prior to pressing the stop/start button, the instrument cluster information center displays a "fobik not present" message, and if the stop/start button is pressed & held and the engine is turned off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than PARK, and the transmission does not become locked in PARK as a result of key removal, it is determined a noncompliance to the Standard. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Eugene, ORCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11510872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
ENGINE
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Eugene, ORCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11510872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER, CRANKSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11317007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesNEW Orleans, LA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER, CRANKSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11317007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,427 milesSAN Jose, CA
ENGINE
EXITING THE FREEWAY VIA OFF RAMP THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND JUST AS QUICK AS IT STALL IT STARTED BACK UP. THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS IN GEAR AND I NEVER TOUCHED ANYTHING. ABOUT A MILE PRIOR ON THE FREEWAY I SMELT GAS BUT ONLY FOR A MINUTE AND NEVER AGAIN. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES FROM HOME AND DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS OR THE GAS SMELL. I CHECK MY MENU FOR ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE SYSTEM SAID OK BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE SYSTEM SAID WARNING CONTACT DEALER. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CALL STALL SUDDENLY. I DID SEE ON THE WEB THAT NHTSA HAS NOTED THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH SRT8 (V8) AND A WARRANTY ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK NEEDING TO BE REPLACE. DOES OUR CAR FALL UNDER THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10995448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,427 milesSAN Jose, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EXITING THE FREEWAY VIA OFF RAMP THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND JUST AS QUICK AS IT STALL IT STARTED BACK UP. THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS IN GEAR AND I NEVER TOUCHED ANYTHING. ABOUT A MILE PRIOR ON THE FREEWAY I SMELT GAS BUT ONLY FOR A MINUTE AND NEVER AGAIN. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES FROM HOME AND DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS OR THE GAS SMELL. I CHECK MY MENU FOR ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE SYSTEM SAID OK BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE SYSTEM SAID WARNING CONTACT DEALER. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CALL STALL SUDDENLY. I DID SEE ON THE WEB THAT NHTSA HAS NOTED THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH SRT8 (V8) AND A WARRANTY ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK NEEDING TO BE REPLACE. DOES OUR CAR FALL UNDER THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10995448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
AIR BAGS
TAKING RECALL THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER LESS THAN 100 MILES WAS PUT ON IT RAN HOT THEN DOOR LOCKS WIDOWS STOPPED WORKING AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON 3 MECHANICS NO-ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT THEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING WANT CRANK OR ANYTHING BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS LEAVING FOR COLLEGE AND NO VEHICLE 7000 IN THE WHOLE AND NO-ONE WILL WORK ON IT . SO I NEED INFORMATION ON VEHICLE AND WHAT DO I DO.
NHTSA complaint #10978569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKING RECALL THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER LESS THAN 100 MILES WAS PUT ON IT RAN HOT THEN DOOR LOCKS WIDOWS STOPPED WORKING AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON 3 MECHANICS NO-ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT THEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING WANT CRANK OR ANYTHING BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS LEAVING FOR COLLEGE AND NO VEHICLE 7000 IN THE WHOLE AND NO-ONE WILL WORK ON IT . SO I NEED INFORMATION ON VEHICLE AND WHAT DO I DO.
NHTSA complaint #10978569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TAKING RECALL THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER LESS THAN 100 MILES WAS PUT ON IT RAN HOT THEN DOOR LOCKS WIDOWS STOPPED WORKING AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON 3 MECHANICS NO-ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT THEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING WANT CRANK OR ANYTHING BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS LEAVING FOR COLLEGE AND NO VEHICLE 7000 IN THE WHOLE AND NO-ONE WILL WORK ON IT . SO I NEED INFORMATION ON VEHICLE AND WHAT DO I DO.
NHTSA complaint #10978569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hereford, AZ
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V444000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10863462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
ENGINE
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesReno, NVFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #10850095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesBayville, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION LOCK WORKS ERRATICALLY AND BINDS. INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS AND PANEL LIGHTS. SOME TIME IT WILL NOT START, SOME TIME WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED THE CHIME WILL STAY ON AFTER WITH NO INDICATION OF ANY ISSUES, LIGHTS OFF DOORS AND TRUNK PROPERLY CLOSED. BECAUSE IT IS A COUPE MY MAIN CONCERN RIGHT NOW WINDOWS MUST WORK FOR DOORS TO OPEN. THIS IS AT A STOP. I START NOTICING ISSUES WHEN LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS 33,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10817106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Grove, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10794410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood City, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V444000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10781633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,900 milesCleveland, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE TO PERFORM RECALL NOTICE BY MY LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10263760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,900 milesCleveland, TN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FAILURE TO PERFORM RECALL NOTICE BY MY LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10263760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.