The 2018 Dodge Charger is associated with 122 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 6 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Electrical System, accounting for 24 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 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: 122 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 6 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Electrical System (24 / 20%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 5 crash / 1 fire / 3 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 16–23 MPG (8 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 |
| Charger | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 30 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Charger | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 30 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Charger AWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 27 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Charger AWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 27 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Charger | 5.7L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 25 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,700 / yr |
| Charger | 6.4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 25 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| Charger SRT | 6.4L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 25 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $4,200 / yr |
| Charger SRT | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 13 MPG | 22 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 |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Dodge Charger models.
View complete 2018 Dodge Charger 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 Charger problems & component breakdown (39 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.
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.
View all 2018 Dodge Charger recalls & campaign history (6 campaigns) →