Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2008 Dodge Challenger: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Challenger, most recently filed May 2016. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Challenger. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2008 Dodge Challenger. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Recall 16V352000 Filed May 24, 2016

Do Not Drive - Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
43.5% repairedof 4,648,270 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V352000
Listed for 2008 Dodge Challenger. Not checked against your VIN.
NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means
Recall 15V444000 Filed Jul 10, 2015

Do Not Drive - Driver Side Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
46.2% repairedof 88,460 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V444000
Listed for 2008 Dodge Challenger. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 08V458000 Filed Sep 10, 2008

FMVSS 114/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION KEY REMOVAL

Power train · automatic transmission · park/neutral start interlock switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES VEHICLE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRASHES RESULTING FROM THEFT AND ACCIDENTAL ROLLAWAY OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported6,636 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 08V458000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (10)

10 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Challenger, by component (top 7). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 10.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2008 compares with other Challenger years

Best and worst Challenger years →
1981200820092010201120122013201420152016
This year (2008)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 15 mpg combined

15
mpg combined
13
city
18
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$5,500
CO₂ tailpipe
593 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$4,354per year
$363per month
1,000gallons a year

Miles ÷ 15 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2008 Dodge Challenger configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
6.1 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$5,500593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2008 Challenger for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Challenger years

Where to next

2008 Dodge Challenger FAQ

How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Challenger have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 16V352000 (air bag), 15V444000 (air bag), 08V458000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2008 Dodge Challenger problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (4), Electrical system (4), Engine (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2008 Dodge Challenger get?

EPA rates the 6.1 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined mpg.

How does the 2008 Challenger compare with other years?

Among the 1981–2016 Dodge Challenger model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2010 the most (299). The 2008 drew 10. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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