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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Dodge Challenger is associated with 19 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 3 reports (16% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 12 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 15 to 23 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 19 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Air Bags (3 / 16%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 4 crash / 1 fire / 2 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 15–23 MPG across 12 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 2021 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 AWD 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 5.7L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 15 MPG 23 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Challenger 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 24 MPG 18 MPG — $4,200 / yr
Challenger Widebody 6.4L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 24 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 Widebody 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
Challenger SRT Widebody 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 13 MPG 21 MPG 16 MPG — $4,750 / yr
Challenger SRT Widebody 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 21 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / 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 2021 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 2021 Dodge Challenger models.
View complete 2021 Dodge Challenger crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

Summary of 19 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
19
Crash Reports
4
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
2
Total Injuries
2

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Air Bags 3 complaints (2 crashes)
Powertrain 2 complaints
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE 1 complaint (1 crash)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 1 complaint
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 complaint (1 crash)

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 2021 Dodge Challenger problems & component breakdown (15 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #21V664000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.
NHTSA Campaign #21V516000 Active Recall
Affected Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
View all 2021 Dodge Challenger recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Dodge Challenger

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Dodge Challenger

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have?

The 2021 Dodge Challenger is associated with 2 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.

View all 2 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

NHTSA records list 19 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Air Bags, appearing in 3 filings (16% of submissions).

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

Explore full 2021 Dodge Challenger defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 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.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Dodge Challenger get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Dodge Challenger range from 15 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.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
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.