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

Dodge Challenger Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Dodge Challenger model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1981 drew the fewest (1) and the 2010 the most (299).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Dodge Challenger model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
1981
Among the fewest complaints		 1 0 Electrical system — —
2022 9 2 Seat belts 5★ 15–23
2008
Among the fewest complaints		 10 3 Air bags — 15
2021
Among the fewest complaints		 19 2 Air bags 5★ 15–23
2020 20 1 Electrical system 5★ 15–23
2023 43 2 Visibility/wiper 5★ 13–23
2017 49 3 Electrical system 5★ 16–23
2019 59 3 Electrical system 5★ 16–23
2018 75 3 Electrical system 5★ 16–23
2016 78 1 Power train 5★ 16–23
2015 126 5 Power train 5★ 16–23
2009 133 7 Air bags — 15–20
2014 149 4 Electrical system 5★ 17–21
2013 179 5 Electrical system 5★ 17–21
2011
Among the most complaints		 193 6 Electrical system — 16–21
2012
Among the most complaints		 253 6 Electrical system — 17–21
2010
Among the most complaints		 299 7 Air bags — 15–20

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Dodge Challenger years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

2010 Dodge Challenger: 299 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 75 (25%); Engine 75 (25%); Electrical system 68 (23%).

Reports mention 10 crashes, 4 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 35,500 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.

2012 Dodge Challenger: 253 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 138 (55%); Air bags 47 (19%); Engine 25 (10%).

Reports mention 11 crashes, 8 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.

2011 Dodge Challenger: 193 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 103 (53%); Air bags 35 (18%); Engine 23 (12%).

Reports mention 5 crashes, 8 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.

The Dodge Challenger years with the fewest complaints

1981 Dodge Challenger: 1 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (100%); Suspension 1 (100%).

0 recall campaigns listed.

2008 Dodge Challenger: 10 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 4 (40%); Electrical system 4 (40%); Engine 3 (30%).

Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 3 recall campaigns listed.

2021 Dodge Challenger: 19 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 4 (21%); Electrical system 4 (21%); Engine 3 (16%).

Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Dodge Challenger owner reports

Dodge Challenger owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
2023430000—
202291010—
2021194120—
2020201100—
20195953405,750
201875928022,012
201749726034,000
20167810210016,000
201512616313031,000
201414916516036,000
20131796107050,000
20122531188053,000
2011193585055,000
201029910413035,500
2009133846030,152
2008101100—
198110000—

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Dodge Challenger recalls

  • Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled (2015–2018 model years; 4,815,661 vehicles across all models; filed May 2018; 18V332000)
  • Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2008–2012 model years; 4,648,270 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V352000)
  • Radio Software Security Vulnerabilities (2015 model year; 1,416,903 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2015; 15V461000)
  • Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 1,413,222 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V018000)
  • Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall (2011–2014 model years; 442,214 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2017; 17V435000)

All 33 Dodge Challenger recall campaigns · Dodge Challenger problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Dodge Challenger years FAQ

Which Dodge Challenger year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1981 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Dodge Challenger years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2010, 2012 and 2011 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Dodge Challenger problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (621 of 1,695 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Dodge Challenger have?

NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns covering the Dodge Challenger. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Dodge Challenger recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

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

Data sources

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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