Owners have reported 5 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Dodge Challenger. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the Uconnect infotainment system in the 2019 Dodge Challenger, including the rearview camera display remaining active after shifting out of reverse, and the screen going black or becoming unresponsive. Symptoms often involve distraction due to the persistent rearview image while driving forward and loss of access to necessary controls. Complaints also highlight problems with the vehicle's gear shifting, where the car can get stuck in reverse or park, requiring a restart to resolve. Some issues are reported at low mileages, such as 5,750 miles, and one complaint involves a crash and fire. Safety implications are noted due to potential driver distraction and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving the electronic power steering and rack and pinion components. Common symptoms described include erratic steering behavior, steering wheel locking, and the steering getting stuck in a notch during turns. These issues often occur without warning lights and have been reported shortly after purchase or over a period of months. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involved a crash due to a lower control arm and ball joint failure, and multiple reports mention a loss of steering control while driving. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential steering issues and consider thorough inspection and testing before purchase.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger report several power train issues, with complaints frequently mentioning transmission malfunctions and gear shifting problems. One common issue involves the vehicle popping out of first gear intermittently, often leading to near rear-end collisions. Another pattern includes unexpected gear shifts while driving, such as shifting from 8th to 3rd gear on the freeway, which poses a significant safety risk. Additionally, some owners describe the vehicle getting stuck in gear when parked or experiencing transmission failures with warning lights, sometimes after driving less than 300 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as these issues can lead to loss of control or stalling in traffic, highlighting potential risks for prospective buyers.
Owner complaints5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues related to unusual noises and component failures. Multiple complaints describe a persistent metal-on-metal noise while driving, with one owner noting it feels unsafe and constant. Another common problem involves the evaporator, which has reportedly failed in vehicles around 34,000 miles, with similar issues noted by other owners of 2018-2020 models. Additionally, there are reports of backup cameras malfunctioning by turning gray or staying on when the vehicle is in drive. Some owners also mention engine-related problems, such as knocking sounds and exhaust manifold issues, often occurring under 30,000 miles. While no direct safety incidents like crashes or fires are reported, these issues could impact the vehicle's reliability and performance.
Owner complaints5
AIR BAGS
Owners report that the 2019 Dodge Challenger experiences issues with airbag deployment failures during crashes, with three incidents involving crashes and four injuries. Complaints frequently mention airbags not deploying despite significant collisions, such as a rear-end impact and a T-bone accident, with no prior warning lights or error messages. Some owners also describe non-deployment indicators like the steering wheel airbag emblem not illuminating, suggesting potential pre-existing faults. These issues arise at various mileages, with one vehicle having only 4,018 miles at the time of failure. Potential buyers should be aware of these airbag-related safety concerns, particularly in crash scenarios.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints4
WHEELS
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues related to wheel wobbling and rubbing. Common symptoms include uneven drive with wobbly wheels and tires scraping against the vehicle body when the steering wheel is turned fully in either direction. Some complaints also note the replacement of tires and rims without resolution of the issue. These problems often occur without triggering the tire pressure warning lamp, and owners express concern about potential safety risks, particularly on highways. No specific mileage range is consistently mentioned, but the persistence of these issues suggests potential ongoing concerns for used car buyers.
Owner complaints3
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the suspension in the 2019 Dodge Challenger, including problems with shocks and struts, and a failure of the rear/front suspension. These issues are frequently described alongside electrical problems, which include non-functional USB ports, repeated radio and amplifier failures, and door lock malfunctions that sometimes trap occupants inside or outside the vehicle. Complaints often mention significant electrical failures occurring as early as 2020, with some issues persisting through 2024 and 2025. Additionally, one owner describes a severe incident where a tire snapped off, leading to a total loss of the vehicle, suggesting potential safety implications. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring suspension and electrical issues when considering this model.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger report issues related to the engine, specifically with the oil cooler and catastrophic engine failure. One complaint describes recurrent oil cooler problems, with oil accumulating in the valley of the oil cooler, potentially linked to over-torquing the oil filter cap. Another owner details a severe engine failure occurring at approximately 1,626 miles, where the engine blew up during highway driving, resulting in oil and metal debris on the roadway and a connecting rod protruding from the oil pan. These issues are reported at relatively low mileages and can lead to significant safety hazards, including loss of vehicle control.
Owner complaints2
TIRES
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger report issues with tire wear, specifically on the front tires. Complaints frequently mention abnormal sounds when turning and the illumination of the air pressure warning light. These issues often occur around the 40,000 to 46,000-mile range. In one instance, a tire-related problem is linked to a fire due to an overheated instrument panel and burnt wires, indicating potential safety implications. Buyers should be aware of recurring tire wear and related symptoms such as unusual noises and dashboard overheating.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Dodge Challenger report two distinct issues related to the service brakes. One complaint describes brake lines in the engine bay on the passenger side being routed too close to the exhaust manifold, leading to melted insulation, which could potentially cause brake fluid to boil. Another issue involves the rear brake pad surface area being substantially narrower than the rotor diameter, resulting in improper wear patterns and reduced stopping force. These issues could affect brake system performance and pose safety risks, such as compromised braking capability. No specific mileage ranges are noted in the complaints, but the issues are identified during routine inspections and could be of concern to used car buyers assessing potential brake system reliability.
