Dodge Charger: best & worst years

Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Dodge Charger years to approach with the most caution are 2006. Below is every model year we cover (2006–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.

Every Dodge Charger year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2023 Caution 7 Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays; HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage; Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors Full report ↗
2022 Caution 7 Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays; HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage; Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors Full report ↗
2021 Caution 7 Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays; HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage; Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors Full report ↗
2020 Caution 7 Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays; HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage; Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors Full report ↗
2018 Caution 7 Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights; Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands; Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder Full report ↗
2017 Caution 7 Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights; Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands; Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder Full report ↗
2024 Caution 6 Electrical faults: vehicle bricking / no-start, battery and charging failures, software glitches and key-fob recognition problems; Brake-system complaints: unintended lurching or brake failure during low-speed maneuvers; Forward-collision/camera system activates without an obstacle present or cannot be turned off Full report ↗
2019 Caution 6 Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays; HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage; Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors Full report ↗
2016 Caution 6 Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights; Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands; Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder Full report ↗
2015 Caution 6 Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights; Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands; Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder Full report ↗
2013 Caution 6 Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure; Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related); Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates Full report ↗
2010 Caution 6 Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays; Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist; No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start Full report ↗
2009 Caution 6 Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays; Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist; No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start Full report ↗
2014 Caution 5 Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure; Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related); Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates Full report ↗
2012 Caution 5 Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure; Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related); Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates Full report ↗
2011 Caution 5 Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure; Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related); Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates Full report ↗
2008 Caution 5 Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays; Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist; No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start Full report ↗
2007 Caution 5 Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays; Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist; No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start Full report ↗
2006 Avoid 4 Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays; Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist; No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start Full report ↗

Dodge Charger problems by year

2024 Dodge Charger Caution

All-new Charger Daytona EV with blistering performance and modern tech, but a first-model-year electric platform showing early charging/electrical complaints and no reliability track record yet.

  • Electrical faults: vehicle bricking / no-start, battery and charging failures, software glitches and key-fob recognition problems
  • Brake-system complaints: unintended lurching or brake failure during low-speed maneuvers
  • Forward-collision/camera system activates without an obstacle present or cannot be turned off

2023 Dodge Charger Caution

Final V8 sedan year, well-developed and desirable; strong performance and resale offset by high insurance and an open side-airbag recall.

  • Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays
  • HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage
  • Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors

2022 Dodge Charger Caution

Refined late-LD year with a strong V6/V8 range and spacious interior; the side-airbag recall and high running costs keep it a considered buy.

  • Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays
  • HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage
  • Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors

2021 Dodge Charger Caution

Low complaint volume and proven mechanicals make this a steadier used pick; high insurance and the open airbag recall are the main watch-items.

  • Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays
  • HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage
  • Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors

2020 Dodge Charger Caution

Mature, well-rounded LD year with strong engines and a roomy cabin; the airbag recall and high insurance are the chief caveats.

  • Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays
  • HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage
  • Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors

2019 Dodge Charger Caution

Widebody-refresh year carrying a side curtain-airbag inflator recall and HEMI lifter complaints; thrilling performance but elevated ownership costs.

  • Side curtain-airbag inflator defect (recall 24V198000) with lengthy remedy-parts delays
  • HEMI lifter/camshaft failure, occasionally leading to catastrophic engine damage
  • Headlight failure with overheating/melting of the housing and connectors

2018 Dodge Charger Caution

One of the steadier LD years with a low complaint rate; comfortable full-size rear-drive performance balanced against high running costs.

  • Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights
  • Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands
  • Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder

2017 Dodge Charger Caution

Maturing platform with fewer reported problems; roomy, powerful and reasonable value, though insurance and fuel costs stay high.

  • Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights
  • Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands
  • Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder

2016 Dodge Charger Caution

Refreshed LD with HEMI options; recurring electrical, lifter and door-panel-warp complaints temper an otherwise spacious, fast sedan.

  • Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights
  • Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands
  • Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder

2015 Dodge Charger Caution

Mid-cycle refresh brought the 8-speed and a styling update; watch driveshaft carrier-bearing and camshaft/lifter complaints, otherwise comfortable and strong.

  • Camshaft and lifter wear on the HEMI (with cylinder deactivation) producing ticking and check-engine lights
  • Electric power-steering rack failure with sudden loss of assist; repairs run into the thousands
  • Rear driveshaft carrier-bearing failure causing vibration and noise; parts frequently on backorder

2014 Dodge Charger Caution

Capable LD sedan flagged for transmission and electrical complaints; verify service history, as the refresh arrived for 2015.

  • Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure
  • Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related)
  • Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates

2013 Dodge Charger Caution

Among the steadier early-LD years with fewer major complaints; comfortable, powerful and a better-value used choice within the generation.

  • Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure
  • Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related)
  • Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates

2012 Dodge Charger Caution

High complaint count for lifter/timing-chain, battery-drain and transmission issues; strong powertrains but one of the LD years to scrutinize.

  • Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure
  • Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related)
  • Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates

2011 Dodge Charger Caution

Redesigned LD launch year with alternator, transmission-software and headlight complaints addressed by recalls and updates; capable but a weaker reliability year.

  • Engine lifter and timing-chain wear causing ticking, metal debris and in some cases seizure
  • Electrical faults: parasitic battery drain, alternator failure and recurring blown fuses (TIPM-related)
  • Transmission shifts to neutral unexpectedly or cannot shift out of Park; addressed by control-module software updates

2010 Dodge Charger Caution

Better-sorted final first-gen year with lower maintenance demands; solid rear-drive performance offset by dated safety tech and high fuel use.

  • Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays
  • Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist
  • No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start

2009 Dodge Charger Caution

One of the stronger LX years with fewer catastrophic engine failures and decent value, though running and insurance costs stay high.

  • Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays
  • Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist
  • No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start

2008 Dodge Charger Caution

High complaint volume centred on no-start ignition failures, highway stalling and Takata airbags; muscular but increasingly maintenance-heavy with age.

  • Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays
  • Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist
  • No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start

2007 Dodge Charger Caution

Early LX year hampered by radiator-fan disintegration and ignition/electrical complaints; strong HEMI performance but aging reliability and recall exposure.

  • Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays
  • Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist
  • No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start

2006 Dodge Charger Avoid

Worst-rated Charger year: premature engine failure, shifter-stuck-in-Park and electrical complaints plus Takata airbag and ignition recalls make it the riskiest used pick.

  • Takata front airbag inflator recall (16V352000) with extended parts-availability delays
  • Engine stalls or cuts out while driving, with loss of power steering and braking assist
  • No-start / ignition failure (subject of recall 14V567000); vehicle will not crank or start

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Dodge models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.