148 of the
2,382 complaints filed about the Dodge Challenger
are about the steering —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
While operating my vehicle at road speed the electric steering rack failed. This rendered the steering inoperative. It was impossible to steer the vehicle. Not only is this situation extremely dangerous and deadly, there was no advanced warning. I received no prompts or warning lights before the incident happened. I researched and found that certain 2021 Dodge Challengers were involved in a warning system recall. My specific vehicle was not included in the recall. This is what Dodge and the dealership who did the repair kept telling me while they ignored any responsibility. This situation is completely unacceptable. I have no idea why my vehicle was not included in the recall for the warning system, but fortunately I am still alive to complain that it should’ve been. This situation, where this part fails and renders the steering inoperable is ridiculous and extremely dangerous. The repairs for this cost me over $5800. It’s very convenient that Dodge and their dealership that did the repair can hang their hat on the fact that I was not seriously injured and completely. Ignore the fact that this incident is unacceptable. Both Dodge Customer Care and the Huntington New York. Dodge dealership offered me zero compensation for being without the use of my vehicle for two weeks or the fact that my vehicle is not included in the warning system recall. I initially filed this complaint #11745702 with your office on June 22, 2026 and as of yet have not received any response. Therefore, I am filing this complaint for the second time hoping that you can take action on this. Thank you in advance for your help.
NHTSA complaint #11750829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH on a local roadway, the steering suddenly became inoperative, and the steering wheel locked without warning. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle and safely pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle was already drifting. There were no warning lights illuminated, or messages displayed prior to the failure. After restarting the vehicle, a warning message associated with the steering system was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed from the scene to a dealer to be diagnosed and repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,850.
NHTSA complaint #11745702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11734903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
: The vehicle’s steering wheel intermittently hardens or "locks" while in motion, making it extremely difficult to maneuver and creating a severe safety hazard. This issue remains unresolved despite two separate professional repair attempts. The first attempt cost $600.00, and the second attempt at a different facility cost $1,500.00. Despite a total expenditure of $2,100.00, the steering failure persists. The defect appears to be a systemic failure within the Electric Power Steering (EPS) or associated control modules/wiring that is not being corrected by standard repair procedures. The vehicle remains dangerous to operate.
NHTSA complaint #11734553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Good morning my (eps) Electronic steering system isn't working I have the light on my dashboard and while driving it went on and couldn't steer it needs force to turn and its difficult to keep it straight this is the second time im replacing this part last time I had this same problem was 2 yrs ago and I've noticed online people having the same issue with not only challengers but other dodge vehicles that use the Electronic steering system that fails while the car is in motion very dangerous if your driving on the freeway. I seen there was a recall for this but on certain cars but I don't understand why only certain cars this isn't supposed to happen so often and having to be paid off by the owner this is a malfunction or electrical connection thats causing the motor to stop working.
NHTSA complaint #11734016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering wheel locks up at while driving making it very hard to turn. The dealerships, wants $200/300 for a diagnostic fee and $3k to repair it. This has been reported for years now as you can se with the other complaints. Dealerships must be held accountable for such safety hazards. Thousands of these cars are on the road and millions of lives are in danger. You are our voice please speak up for the consumer. Thanks
NHTSA complaint #11706014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dear [NHTSA / Indiana Attorney General], I am filing a complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my vehicle, a 2017 Dodge Challenger, purchased on [XXX] from Wetzel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Richmond, Indiana). Six months after purchase, the steering column failed, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealership confirmed the repair cost at $4,500 but refused assistance, and Stellantis has also declined support despite the fact that this is a critical safety component necessary to control the vehicle. This defect poses a significant risk of sudden steering loss while driving, endangering both myself and others on the road. I respectfully request that your office review this matter for potential manufacturer accountability, safety recall investigation, or consumer protection enforcement. Thank you for your attention to this urgent safety concern. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11684151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
8.4" touchscreen delaminating, causing ghost touches, which is changing my steering , timing, wipers, headlights, and suspension. The radio is going through stations, inputs, i can not use my android auto or use gps, all of my settings. It is very much a safety concern!
NHTSA complaint #11674937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When making a sharp turn where you need to turn the wheel fully to the left or right, the car steering would lock up and a power steering indicator light would appear on the dashboard. I would have to shut the vehicle off and restart it for the light to turn off and resume steering functionality. The car was inspected by the dealership and the indicated that it showed the error code happened one time, however we recently purchased the vehicle with 19,000 miles, so not sure if the happened before we purchased the car and the used car dealer reset the codes. This issue has happened many times over the last 3 months.
NHTSA complaint #11673009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don’t even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue. Its not right,
NHTSA complaint #11664047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. During the failure, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11627298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had a recall fixed at dodge for PCM since then service power steering comes on and the steering wheel locks up sometimes I'm driving and it seizes up it started at 37000 miles And when my extended warranty was up 3yr manufacture 6 yr extended warranty but since we purchased it in the beginning the warranty overlapped not fair since I should have had 9 yrs now I can't even drive my car more than 15minutes also it's very dangerous that I can be driving and all of a sudden can't turn the steering.
NHTSA complaint #11607381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving normally going 65 mph on the highway when white smoke was emitting from inside the steering wheel. Between the dashboard and steering wheel. Engine was fine and no warning lights came on. Everything ran great except for the white smoke. I don’t know what it could be. Luckily it didn’t catch on fire
NHTSA complaint #11593591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car has come to a complete halt several times when I pressed the gas trying to get onto the speedway it will just have no power to it like it’s in neutral and I will have to hurry up and get over to the side and turn it back into park and then back into drive and pray that it goes. It doesn’t kick into gear like it should all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power won’t even work. It’s an electric. and pray that it goes. It doesn’t kick into gear like it should alternator all the time my battery is always a hit or miss. I just spent $1000 on repairs and my power. Siri won’t even work. It’s an electrical nobody can get anything to fix it and now we’re out of state and it broke down again. It is so dangerous recently, the belt came off of it while I was driving and it caused liquids to explode and almost caused fire
NHTSA complaint #11582712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The computer system has a malfunction I'm driving it says shifter service the shifter starts blinking red car wipers goes on car will shut off in traffic into anti theft mode and ask fir code and will not start it has happened 3 times or more within 30 days the has been in the shop 3 times within 30 days twice where I purchased it the car is not safe I'm scared for my life and others when operating this car as of today I'm afraid to drive my car and I've told asked the dealer for another car the first it happened. Here recently I couldn't stop the car my grandkids in the car on 20 west this started around November 29 and has been continuing I've reported to the dealer the bank that purchased the car for me and filed a claim with my insurance the car is not safe and I have receipts and a video to show and messages to the manager on duty and my salesperson.
NHTSA complaint #11561971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Power steering/rack and pinion. Yes. Power steering cuts in and out around corners and sometimes completely locking steering wheel with no control. When steering wheel locks up it’s you to lose control of car and could cause head on collision. Yes I had dodge dealship diagnose and also independent mechanic. Manufacturer has not inspected. There were no warnings or any warning lights in car. Problem started about 3 months ago.
NHTSA complaint #11538514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The power steering or steering rack appears to be defective. While turning on a curve, the steering will get stuck in what feels like a knotch, and can be weird to un-stick from that knotch. Can maybe cause unstable feeling in steering.
NHTSA complaint #11537278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on the interstate and the ACC/FCW light came on.Then soon after The ABS light came on then the power steering system failed causing the steering wheel to lock while I was driving.I turned my car off in the emergency lane and restarted the car.All of them light when off but then the airbag warning light came on.
NHTSA complaint #11497133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During an auto accident the ram emblem on my steering wheel shot off of the steering wheel when the air bags deployed and becoming a projectile and hitting me in the neck leaving a deep bruise and abrasions to the area the ram emblem hit. Its been nearly 3 weeks and the bruising is still present and the skin is still red from the injury. Attached and you can even see the ram horns in in neck. This photo taken later that day. If this can happen in my with my accident I was just lucky it didn't hit my eye or worse. The contact stated that they now have a permanent scar on their neck from the steering wheel projectile. They have not contacted the manufacturer and the vehicle is no longer in their possession.
NHTSA complaint #11492698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Faulty electric rack and pinion have been such a huge problem. They are not only going bad after a few years, they are expensive to replace. And it’s common problem amongst dodge owners.
NHTSA complaint #11470978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.