Dodge Challenger Common Problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues with the UConnect infotainment system, particularly involving screen delamination and "ghost touching," where the screen behaves as if being touched without input, affecting climate control, audio, and navigation functions. Complaints often describe problems with the backup camera displaying distorted or black images, and turn signals or windows malfunctioning intermittently. These issues are reported to occur soon after purchase, with some owners experiencing them from day two of ownership. Safety implications are noted, with two complaints involving crashes and one involving a fire, highlighting potential risks associated with these electrical system failures. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring electrical issues, which appear to persist across different mileage ranges.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues with the Uconnect infotainment system, particularly screen delamination. Symptoms include the screen registering phantom touches, causing random activation of features such as emergency calls, climate controls, and audio settings, which many describe as distracting and potentially hazardous. This problem often arises outside of warranty periods, typically after 36,000 miles. Additionally, one report mentions a vehicle rollaway issue when the gear shifter is in park, and another describes a broken sway bar with unclear cause. Given these reports, prospective buyers should be aware of potential infotainment system malfunctions and ensure these components are thoroughly checked before purchase.

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

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Owners of the 2023 Dodge Challenger frequently report spontaneous windshield cracks, often described as stress fractures, with no visible impact points. These cracks commonly originate from the A-pillars on either the driver or passenger side and can extend up to 12 inches or more, sometimes growing rapidly. Complaints indicate these issues can arise shortly after purchase or at various mileage points, such as 38,000 miles. Safety implications include reduced visibility, posing a potential crash risk. Additionally, one owner mentions dissatisfaction with the driver-side mirror's blind spot, although this is less frequently reported than the windshield issue.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2023 Dodge Challenger frequently report issues with windshield cracking, often occurring without any apparent impact or debris damage. Complaints describe cracks originating from the edges of the windshield, particularly on the passenger side, with lengths varying from 6 to 10 inches. These incidents typically occur at low mileages, with reports around 3,000 to 9,200 miles. Some owners suggest potential manufacturing defects related to windshield adhesion or body flexing as possible causes. Additionally, a few owners mention problems with the backup camera's performance and concerns about the brake pedal's hardness, which could affect starting the vehicle. The spontaneous windshield cracking is noted as a potential safety risk due to compromised structural integrity and visibility.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical issues with the 2020 Dodge Challenger. Commonly mentioned problems include the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while driving, with reports of this occurring both at highway speeds and in other driving conditions. Multiple owners also describe malfunctions in the air conditioning system, such as the controls failing and air not blowing as intended. Additionally, there is a report of a vehicle catching fire while operational, pointing to potential safety risks. These issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 18 miles.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

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.