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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2018 Dodge Challenger is associated with 74 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 14 reports (19% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 10 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 5.7l 8-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 16 to 23 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 74 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Electrical System (14 / 19%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 9 crash / 2 fire / 5 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 16–23 MPG across 10 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Challenger 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 30 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Challenger GT 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 27 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Challenger 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 25 MPG 19 MPG — $3,700 / yr
Challenger 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 25 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Challenger 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 15 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Challenger SRT 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 25 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Challenger 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 14 MPG 23 MPG 17 MPG — $4,450 / yr
Challenger SRT 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 14 MPG 23 MPG 17 MPG — $4,450 / yr
Challenger SRT 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 22 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
Challenger SRT 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 13 MPG 21 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
2 DR AWD 11.1%
2 DR RWD 11.1%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Dodge Challenger models.
View complete 2018 Dodge Challenger crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Summary of 74 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
74
Crash Reports
9
Fire Reports
2
Complaints w/ Injury
5
Total Injuries
8

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Electrical System 14 complaints (1 crash)
Air Bags 4 complaints (3 crashes)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 complaints
Wheels & Hubs 4 complaints
Powertrain 3 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2018 Dodge Challenger problems & component breakdown (34 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #18V524000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
NHTSA Campaign #18E053000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
NHTSA Campaign #18V332000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
View all 2018 Dodge Challenger recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2018 Dodge Challenger

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2018 Dodge Challenger

How many safety recalls does the 2018 Dodge Challenger have?

The 2018 Dodge Challenger is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

NHTSA records list 74 consumer defect complaints for the 2018 Dodge Challenger. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Electrical System, appearing in 14 filings (19% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2018 Dodge Challenger earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2018 Dodge Challenger get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2018 Dodge Challenger range from 16 to 23 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.