Model year record

2008 Dodge Challenger recalls & problems

The 2008 Dodge Challenger has 3 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints10filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 24, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V3520004,648,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Air bagsJul 10, 2015

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 15V44400088,460 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R37.

Power trainSep 10, 2008

Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 08V4580006,636 vehicles

Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PREVENTION." IF THE STOP/START BUTTON IS PRESSED AND HELD AND THE ENGINE TURNS 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 OR GEAR SELECTOR DOES NOT BECOME LOCKED IN "PARK" AS A DIRECT RESULT OF KEY REMOVAL, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NONCOMPLIANCE MAY EXIST.
Risk: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES VEHICLE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRASHES RESULTING FROM THEFT AND ACCIDENTAL ROLLAWAY OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE MODULE SO THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Challenger

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

6.1 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical system	4	0	1	33,000 mi
Air bags	4	0	0	—
Engine	3	0	1	57,427 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	1	—
Vehicle speed control	2	1	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	1	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed controlCrash
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.
Jan 27, 2023
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.
Feb 1, 2020 · 120,000 miles
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…
Jun 15, 2017 · 57,427 miles
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.
Dec 24, 2016
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.
Jul 6, 2015
Electrical systemFire
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…
Mar 16, 2016 · 39,000 miles
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. *JS
Dec 12, 2015 · 33,000 miles
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.
Aug 3, 2015

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
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.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021