Dodge Challenger Engine Problems
Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Dodge Challenger across 16 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (75). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (14% of reports).
- 283engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $2,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 51%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 39 of 283 complaints (14%)
- Power brakes: mentioned in 15 of 283 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Dodge Challenger at $2,350, and half of them between $940 and $6,700.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 219 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 283 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 16 a fire, 3 an injury.
Dodge Challenger engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Challenger | 4 | 9% | — |
| 2022 Challenger | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2021 Challenger | 3 | 16% | 16,000 |
| 2020 Challenger | 4 | 20% | 9,900 |
| 2019 Challenger | 8 | 14% | 1,626 |
| 2018 Challenger | 5 | 7% | 24,000 |
| 2017 Challenger | 5 | 10% | 10,000 |
| 2016 Challenger | 12 | 15% | 16,000 |
| 2015 Challenger | 26 | 21% | 20,000 |
| 2014 Challenger | 36 | 24% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Challenger | 27 | 15% | 48,150 |
| 2012 Challenger | 25 | 10% | 61,500 |
| 2011 Challenger | 23 | 12% | 67,000 |
| 2010 Challenger | 75 | 25% | 44,000 |
| 2009 Challenger | 26 | 20% | 40,500 |
| 2008 Challenger | 3 | 30% | 57,427 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2017
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.
Risk: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline
Model years: 2015
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to February 5, 2015, and equipped with a 6.2L supercharged engine. O-ring seal and fuel rail crossover hose damage may result in the fuel rail hose connection leaking fuel.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the engine fuel rail injector crossover hose, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R07.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
2011 Dodge Challenger RT (5.7L Hemi, <75,000 miles).In 2016, Safety Campaign P01 (Timing Chain and Guide) was performed on my vehicle. On May 28th, while traveling at 70 mph on the highway, the timing chain snapped entirely, leaving me stranded and causing catastrophic internal engine damage.
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the timing chain snapped and fractured. All the warning lights illuminated and flashed. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
the car shot up in RPM would not slow down spinning tires while holding the brake hard. had to go in neutral and kill the motor, when restarted it would continue to do the same thing
The engine is malfunctioning. It is available for inspection. When you accelerate the vehicle, the engine goes into limp mode then it goes into neutral and you have to find a safe place on the side of the road to pull over shut it off and restart it. It's very very dangerous. Yes, Vatland Chrysler…
The vehicle's engine has suffered a catastrophic internal failure at approximately 56,000 miles. The engine is the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The issue began with a loud ticking noise from the engine. I brought the vehicle to Stoneridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pleasanton for diagnosis. At that visit, the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Challengers have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 283 owner complaints about engine for the Dodge Challenger. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Challenger engine?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Dodge Challenger?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,350 (half paid between $940 and $6,700), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Dodge Challenger?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 39 of 283 complaints, followed by “power brakes” (15).
Other Dodge Challenger problems
- Electrical System problems (620)
- Air Bags problems (281)
- Power Train problems (188)
- Steering problems (147)
See all Dodge Challenger problems.