2013 Dodge Challenger Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 16, 2026 · 179 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Challenger years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 16 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Challenger. That ranks 4th out of 16 Challenger model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (104 complaints, 58%), typically at around 47,150 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 10 fires, 7 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Dodge Challenger
Dodge Challenger RT (LC) Hemi at the 5th US-Car meeting in Gut Leimershof near Bamberg. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Dodge Challenger problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System104 · ~47,150 mi
Engine27 · ~48,150 mi
Air Bags19 · ~60,000 mi
Power Train16 · ~41,000 mi
Steering15 · ~68,300 mi
Unknown or Other11 · ~62,136 mi
Service Brakes8 · ~20,000 mi
Structure7 · ~20,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control7 · ~39,796 mi
Exterior Lighting6 · ~47,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems10458%47,150“chrysler jeep” (12%)—
Engine2715%48,150——
Air Bags1911%60,000——
Power Train169%41,000——
Steering158%68,300——
Unknown or Other116%62,136——
Service Brakes84%20,000——
Structure74%20,000——
Vehicle Speed Control74%39,796——
Exterior Lighting63%47,000——
Fuel/propulsion System63%75,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)53%84,000——
Visibility/wiper53%64,131——
Seats42%69,111——
Seat Belts32%88,000——
Visibility32%82,000——
Tires21%13,000——
Wheels21%20,000——
Latches/locks/linkages11%81,776——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 39 complaints
2013: 7201372014: 132014132015: 392015392016: 112016112017: 232017232018: 222018222019: 222019222020: 192020192021: 5202152022: 6202262023: 4202342024: 1202412025: 4202542026: 320263

n = 179 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Dodge Challenger recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 15, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V018000 · 1,413,222 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially 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 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not driveJan 9, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V021000 · 328,177 vehicles

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.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorJul 10, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V435000 · 442,214 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulatorOct 8, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V634000 · 435,081 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Electrical system:wiring:front underhoodDo not driveMar 21, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V103000 · 4,051 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2012, through January 24, 2013 and equipped with a V6 engine. The battery positive cable at the starter motor may experience an electrical short circuit to ground.

Risk: A short circuit could lead to a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler has begun notifying owners and they are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers. Chrysler Group further advises affected owners not to park their vehicles in, or near, any structures. Dealers will replace the under hood starter cable assembly, free of charge. The recall notification began on March 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

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.

I am reporting a defect condition in a 2013 Dodge Challenger that appears materially identical to the condition described in FCA Emissions Recall UB4 involving the evaporative emissions canister system. See: [XXX] . The vehicle experiences severe difficulty during refueling. Fuel pump nozzles…

Fuel/propulsion System · received May 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738277

See attached document for complaint.

Service Brakes · received Apr 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11728561

Driver & passenger door windows on many 2010-2017 Dodge Challengers activate repeatedly on their own during driving and after ignition is turned off causing the battery to completely drain overnight & sometimes after only one or two hours after the ignition is turned off. There was a TSB#23-039-11…

Electrical System · received Feb 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11716732

On Saturday 1:20am 11/15/25 DRIVING 27 MILES FROM DISTANCE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTS QUICKLY POWER OUTAGES ON AND OFF INTERIOR LIGHTIN. dim headlights, or issues with electrical components. 11/15/25 A vehicle fire occurred, and preliminary investigations…

Electrical System · received Nov 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11699878

* The ignition switch failed to release the key fob. I brought the car home after completing some repairs and sending the car through emissions testing to renew the plates. I made numerous attempts turning the car on and off and trying to get the key fob out of the ignition. The ignition off…

Electrical System · received Nov 10, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11698630

Other Dodge Challenger years

← 2012 Challenger · 2014 Challenger →

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 2013 Dodge Challenger?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, air bags problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 104 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Dodge Challenger?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 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 2013 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.