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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 74 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Electrical System (14 / 19%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 9 crash / 2 fire / 5 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–23 MPG (10 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| 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.
| 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 →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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) →
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.
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.
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) →