2009 Dodge Challenger Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Challenger years
- More complaints than other years 6th of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 7 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Challenger. That ranks 6th out of 16 Challenger model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (41 complaints, 31%), typically at around 34,000 miles. Complaints mention 8 crashes, 4 fires, 6 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
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- 133owner complaints
- 7safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 8complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2009 Dodge Challenger problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 | 31% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 27 | 20% | 30,076 | — | — |
| Engine | 26 | 20% | 40,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 21 | 16% | 50,550 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 10% | 15,481 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 7% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 8 | 6% | 13,550 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 3% | 45,820 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 3% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 3% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 2% | 13,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 2% | 118,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2% | 16,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 367 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | 15,200 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 15,200 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2009 Dodge Challenger recalls (7)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Equipment
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R37.
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009 through 2010 passenger vehicles equipped with rear wheel drive. These vehicles may have been built without a front wheel spindle nut.
Risk: While driving, a tire and wheel separation could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the tire and wheel assembly and if found without a spindle nut it will be repaired free of charge. The recall began on november 2, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-835-1403.
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 175 my 2009 dodge charger, challenger, and chrysler 300 vehicles. The tire pressure monitor (tpm) sensors may not transmit the actual tire pressure. This could result in the driver not being aware of low tire pressure.
Risk: Operation of the vehicle with low tire pressure could result in tire damage and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tpm sensors. The recall is expected to begin on february 9, 2009. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 6,636 my 2008-2009 dodge challenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and "keyless go" option. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft prevention." if the stop/start button is pressed and held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than "park," and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in "park" as a direct result of key removal, it was determined that a noncompliance may exist.
Risk: This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module so the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the "park" position. The recall began on september 15, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Fuel Pump complete failure. No warning lights, etc. Went out at a stoplight. Vehicle restart was random and would run for only a few seconds. Luckily wasn't in the middle of intersection, but was a busy road, I was in left turn lane and created safety issue. I had warning flashers on but still…
I am currently waiting for a new Instrument Cluster, which is the cause of all of my problems, and which is why I failed the emissions test.
On several occasions while driving the vehicle would would appear to lose power and the front wheels would shake. After turning off the engine and restarting the car the problem resolved itself. It was taken to the dealership and they said they could not replicate the problem. Two days ago it did…
Three times now the throttle has gone to wide open and sticks for about 5 seconds. Scares the living crap out of you.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the "check air bag" warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local parts store where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side and passengerâs side air bags…
Other Dodge Challenger years
← 2008 Challenger · 2010 Challenger →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Challenger | 43 | 2 |
| 2022 Challenger | 9 | 2 |
| 2021 Challenger | 19 | 2 |
| 2020 Challenger | 20 | 1 |
| 2019 Challenger | 59 | 3 |
| 2018 Challenger | 75 | 3 |
| 2017 Challenger | 49 | 3 |
| 2016 Challenger | 78 | 1 |
| 2015 Challenger | 126 | 5 |
| 2014 Challenger | 149 | 4 |
| 2013 Challenger | 179 | 5 |
| 2012 Challenger | 253 | 6 |
| 2011 Challenger | 193 | 6 |
| 2010 Challenger | 299 | 7 |
| 2009 | 133 | 7 |
| 2008 Challenger | 10 | 3 |
See all Dodge Challenger problems by year, every Dodge model, or the Dodge VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
Owners most often report air bags, power train, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 41 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2009 Dodge Challenger a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Challenger model years, the 2009 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.