Car Record Book

2018 Dodge Charger recalls & problems

The 2018 Dodge Charger has 6 safety recalls and 122 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (45 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints122filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
2018 Dodge Charger in an NHTSA crash test
2018 Dodge Charger in an NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator

NHTSA recall 24V198000 · Mar 14, 2024 · 284,982 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 20V512000 · Aug 27, 2020 · 26,361 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.

Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood

NHTSA recall 18V524000 · Aug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 18V332000 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Vehicle speed control › Cruise control; Electrical system › Wiring

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 18V280000 · May 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 18V281000 · May 1, 2018 · 13,928 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.

Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

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.

Crash test ratings

2018 Dodge Charger NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2018 Dodge Charger NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

2018 Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR RWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2018 Dodge Charger SRT 4 DR RWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Charger

23mpg combined
City / highway19 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Charger FFV

23mpg combined
City / highway19 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Charger AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Charger AWD FFV

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Charger

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 25 mpg
FuelMidgrade Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,000/year to fuel

Charger

18mpg combined
City / highway15 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Charger SRT

18mpg combined
City / highway15 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Charger SRT

16mpg combined
City / highway13 / 22 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 8-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system
Adas › Video monitor/screen
4500038,975 mi
Unknown or other
3300038,500 mi
Structure
Body; Interior panels › Door
1910234,150 mi
Engine
110108,000 mi
Power train
Driveline › Driveshaft
1010023,537 mi
Service brakes
6203—
Suspension
50001,200 mi
Wheels
Rim; Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
5100—
Air bags
520332,000 mi
Exterior lighting
5000—
Steering
4000—
Fuel/propulsion system
4000—

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

Recent owner complaints

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