331 of the
2,382 complaints filed about the Dodge Challenger
are about the engine —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
2011 Dodge Challenger RT (5.7L Hemi, <75,000 miles).In 2016, Safety Campaign P01 (Timing Chain and Guide) was performed on my vehicle. On May 28th, while traveling at 70 mph on the highway, the timing chain snapped entirely, leaving me stranded and causing catastrophic internal engine damage.
NHTSA complaint #11751451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the timing chain snapped and fractured. All the warning lights illuminated and flashed. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that a similar failure had previously occurred in 2014. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the car shot up in RPM would not slow down spinning tires while holding the brake hard. had to go in neutral and kill the motor, when restarted it would continue to do the same thing
NHTSA complaint #11745469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine is malfunctioning. It is available for inspection. When you accelerate the vehicle, the engine goes into limp mode then it goes into neutral and you have to find a safe place on the side of the road to pull over shut it off and restart it. It's very very dangerous. Yes, Vatland Chrysler Dodge in Vero Beach. After it first malfunctioned the engine light came on and it's been on ever since. The dealership Vatland Chrysler can't get authorization from corporate to repair it and the vehicle is sitting and unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11734315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's engine has suffered a catastrophic internal failure at approximately 56,000 miles. The engine is the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The issue began with a loud ticking noise from the engine. I brought the vehicle to Stoneridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pleasanton for diagnosis. At that visit, the dealership lubricated an unspecified component and instructed me to continue driving. The ticking noise temporarily subsided. Shortly after, the check engine light illuminated. I returned the vehicle to the same dealership, where the technician retrieved diagnostic trouble code P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). Upon further inspection, the technician found scoring on the cylinder 3 wall, a persistent loud ticking noise from the engine, and metal contamination in the engine oil sample. The dealership diagnosed the failure as requiring a complete engine long block replacement at a quoted cost exceeding $23,000. The powertrain warranty has expired based on the 3-year time limit; however, the vehicle has fewer than 56,000 miles, which is well below the warranty's mileage threshold and exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. The vehicle has been properly maintained throughout ownership with regular oil changes and scheduled service intervals. No aftermarket modifications have been made; the engine and all related components remain factory stock. I contacted Stellantis customer care to request assistance. They stated that because the vehicle is no longer under warranty, there is nothing they can do, and that the dealership should have submitted a goodwill assistance request on my behalf. The dealership said they would look into it. A complete engine failure at this mileage on an engine marketed as a high-performance powerplant suggests a manufacturing or material defect rather than normal wear and tear.
NHTSA complaint #11729728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was jump-started. The battery was replaced. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) in 2000. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #11724660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
* The ignition switch failed to release the key fob. I brought the car home after completing some repairs and sending the car through emissions testing to renew the plates. I made numerous attempts turning the car on and off and trying to get the key fob out of the ignition. The ignition off position would flash ACCESSORIES the same as the accessory position. I was concerned to leave the car as there maybe a short that would draw down the battery or worse ? I locked the doors and left the key fob in the ignition. * YES- available for inspection. * safety issue was is there an electrical issue that would start the car on fire ? * The diagnosis was done by my performance and high end mechanic's shop. The battery in the key bob was changed while being stuck in the ignition to see if a low powered battery was failing to send a signal. No changes. The shop did inform me later in the day that they forced the fob to the left and was able to extract it from the ignition switch. * YES, inspected and review by my trusted mechanics shop. * No signs prior to the attempted removal of the key bof at the finish of returning to my home.
NHTSA complaint #11698630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact leased a 2012 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with melted wiring. Additionally, the contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. Additionally, the contact was aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V435000 (Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted for the recall repair, but no assistance was provided. The used car dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11691678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I got the car on 4/13/2025 from a Toyota dealership with about 31000 miles they told me the car fax showed the car had 2 owners a regular customer and another dealership, they also told me they change the battery but they failed to disclosed that they took the car to a body shop to fix a dent and to be repainted, by mistake they offered me the Toyota warranty 5 years or 60000 miles , on 8/10/25 while driving the car it caught on fire luckily nobody got injured , after putting the fire off the fire department told us the cause of it was an engine malfunction only after 4 months and with about 39000 miles ,from the pictures we suspect the fire started by the fuse box and now I'm looking for answers and who's responsible, the dealership, the previous owner or the manufacturer, the car got totaled.
NHTSA complaint #11681493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My SHIFTER is messing up again recall U4 i believe and my its a recall on my vehicle ive had this vehicle for 2 years they stated the previous owner already had repaired but im imforming them i am still having the issue my car will literally stop going in the middle of the highway. Ive almost been close to getting in a accident and all everyone can say is it has already been repaired but i want them to understand that it may was repaired but it wasnt done correctly because something is wrong with my shifter/trasmission and electrical system. Which are both two valid recalls that i have. My shifter just blinks out of nowhere and just will stop at any moment. If the person behind me wasnt paying attention i couldve died or been harm seriously due to this keep happening while i am driving on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11656580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I owned a 2017 Dodge Challenger which had electrical issues and a defective Uconnect radio system. A few months after purchasing the 2019 Dodge Challenger, I experienced electrical issues. The electric key system failed locking me outside of the vehicle while pumping gas. I had to enter the vehicle from the passenger side door. When I tried to exit the vehicle, I could not open the door. I had to climb over the center console to exit the vehicle from the passenger side. The key fab battery was replaced but the issue continued. The rear/front suspension failed in 2020. The westbury service department blew my alternator servicing while replacing the radiator and fixing the electrical issue with Uconnect. The driver's side window would not roll down. It was stuck down in 2021. The door panel switches were replaced. The door issue was not resolved. I randomly remained locked out of the vehicle. I complained that the heat would turn on randomly inside of the vehicle. My headlights stopped working twice and my light bulbs were replaced although the bulbs were good. I couldn't see the road in front of me at night and almost drove off of a cliff. The radio/gps/bluetooth system continuously failed ten times. The service department replaced the radio. and amplifiers twice, although they were in working condition. This did not resolve the issue. The Jamaica service department explained that the issues that have been occurring are electrical and tried replacing the fuses to fix the reoccurring issues. When I bought the car to them to fix the radio issue in 2024 my charging and USB ports stopped working. The fuse issue has since caused other safety hazards. They replaced the fuses several times and have explained that the entire electrical component "body harness wiring" must be replaced. I should not be responsible for replacing this part. When I bought the vehicle in for electrical issues while it was under warranty it should have been fixed immediately.
NHTSA complaint #11646346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving and a tick was present then over heated sat on side of road until cooled down added coolant drove home . The next day car was drivable. Drove to school and car was sounding funny so took it to a repair shop and they told me the particular engine in the vehicle has a fuel efficient component where it shuts down the cylinders on the freeway, and the lifters are supposed to open, but our lifter did not open. It got stuck and grind the camshaft in the motor. Needless to say I had to have the car towed home. It’s just sitting in my parking lot. I tried calling Dodge. They wouldn’t help me. I tried calling multiple agencies to help. I looked up on the Internet and there is multiple complaints about the same problem it’s called the hemi lift so hopefully one day this can be recalled because I’m still paying on the car. I had a year and a half. No one will help me. My kids were driving the car. What if the thing blew up on them on the freeway and somebody hit them because Car wouldn’t move anymore . Or if they were taking the car through the desert and there is no phone calls and no one around. If they were going around corners of a mountain and just stopped on them or blew up because can’t drive the car anymore. very bad and scary and sad that the builder of that motor won’t fix their mistake and leave countless people stranded and in a predicament
NHTSA complaint #11644380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I start the car, it shuts off if I pushed the button to restart it, sounds like it’s double starting itself the only way that I can make it stop is by continuously hitting the button. The only way that I can restart. The car is if I open the driver‘s door, then hit the button to completely cut off the car shut the door hit the button again then the car will start. It’s like I have to reset it. it does it often has been for years when I take it to the mechanics or dealership they tell me to bring it up there when it’s doing it. That’s the only way that they can find out what the issue is, after this happens I’ll take it to the dealership and they find nothing they request for me to bring it when is doing that, but I never know when it’s going to happen until it does, but it doesn’t happen at the dealership. I have Google this issue other challengers are having this issue but again it can never be resolved because it doesn’t happen when you take it to the dealership I believe eventually this will mess up the engine or starter below is asking for a date this incident occurred it started in 2015 when I purchased the car this will happen here or there not that often but it is continuously a problem, over the years and getting worse
NHTSA complaint #11643855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
One day after driving home from work there was a message that says low battery voltage on the instrument panel, then it went away. No other warning lights or problems. Ten more miles down the road the message says battery saver mode, reduced functions and then the car started to smoke, I am freaked out at this point praying to make it home safely. I arrive home and pull into driveway and then turn engine off and let it cool. Lift the hood and coolant has sprayed and spewed all over the engine compartment and is significantly reduced. Now parked, engine off the shift lights are still on and navigation panel and radio won't turn off. I had to unplug the battery completely and manually lock the car. The next day I replace the battery, check coolant, and allow car to warm up. No warning lights or messages. Then I start to drive and less than ten min, battery saver mode again, reduced function and power then engine smoking again, coolant spraying under hood and I have no idea what's wrong. Could it be the alternator, everything is still factory parts. Never happened when I changed the battery in 2022. This is scary.
NHTSA complaint #11640391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took my car to the mechanic because the car was leaking radiator fluid. In testing the car he found that the head gasket had blown. He confirmed this with a hydrocarbon test. The car has 72,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. After saving the money to get the head gasket done. I was driving the car around when it began to to run poorly. At idle it was running very badly. I took it back to the mechanic to see what this issue was. After doing some testing they started to take the camshaft out of the car. It came out in 2 pieces. My car has the 3.6 in it. There is a class action lawsuit for this issue but because whatever part was linked to the lawsuit was not installed in my car I am not entitled to the fix. There are many more people with the same issue with the 3.6 liter Pentastar motor that I have had to go through after doing a bunch of research. This car is my dream car. I have taken excellent care of her. She has gotten oil changes religiously. I am at a complete loss as to how a camshaft can break. I have attached pictures of the camshaft and at the break you can see where there are defects in the metal causing it to break in two.
NHTSA complaint #11623878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My mileage time ometer keeps jumping from 56000 to 68000 time belt. My car is fairly new. This vehicle should not be doing this. The break I use to start the car nearly starts it. The breaks is not connected to the fuel pump correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11621159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased a DODGE 2023 CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT WIDEBODY JAILBREAK with manual transmission in October 2023. In April of 2024 I noticed that the AC did not work when the vehicle was NOT in motion and the OUTSIDE temperature was more than 90 degrees. I took it to a local dealer ship and they kept troubleshooting the vehicle with Dodge and could not fix the issue. Come to find out, all 2023 manual transmission Challenger Hellcats have the same issue. This is effecting approximately 628+ vehicles. Dodge Care states they are aware of the issue and are working on it internally, however no ETA or timeline has been given to the customers of the affected vehicles. Dodge provide me with the following case numbers that you can use to investigate: Case: [XXX] Star Case: [XXX] Their contact phone number is: 855-778-8326 The weblink below is 10 pages (and growing) of customer experiencing the same issue: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11620077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.