2013 Dodge Charger Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 31, 2026 · 360 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Charger years
Far more complaints than other years 6th of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 360 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Charger. That ranks 6th out of 23 Charger model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (167 complaints, 46%), typically at around 58,000 miles. Complaints mention 25 crashes, 20 fires, 18 injuries. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Dodge Charger
24 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T - Shot at Earnhardt Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Gilbert AZ. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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

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Most common 2013 Dodge Charger problems

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

Electrical System167 · ~58,000 mi
Engine50 · ~66,000 mi
Power Train48 · ~51,000 mi
Air Bags41 · ~45,000 mi
Steering30 · ~72,500 mi
Unknown or Other28 · ~57,687 mi
Vehicle Speed Control24 · ~53,000 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)18 · ~70,500 mi
Seat Belts14 · ~32,000 mi
Service Brakes14 · ~6,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems16746%58,000“battery saver” (14%)—
Engine problems5014%66,000——
Power Train4813%51,000——
Air Bags4111%45,000——
Steering308%72,500——
Unknown or Other288%57,687——
Vehicle Speed Control247%53,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)185%70,500——
Seat Belts144%32,000——
Service Brakes144%6,000——
Structure103%57,687——
Fuel/propulsion System93%67,545——
Suspension93%55,970——
Latches/locks/linkages41%30,630——
Visibility/wiper41%38,121——
Wheels31%108,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling21%109,619——
Exterior Lighting21%3,400——
Seats21%41,174——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic21%95,430——
Traction Control System21%125,000——
Back Over Prevention10%———
Equipment10%2,000——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%20,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance10%———
Fuel System, Gasoline10%168,237——
Visibility10%45,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 67 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 882014: 322014322015: 53532016: 512016512017: 67672018: 462018462019: 36362020: 282020282021: 16162022: 6202262023: 442024: 6202462025: 332026: 320263

n = 360 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Dodge Charger recalls (8)

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.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 25, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V240000 · 811,290 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.

Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.

StructureJan 28, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V043000 · 441,578 vehicles

Problem: FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.

Risk: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.

Seat belts; air bags:side/windowJul 27, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V467000 · 284,095 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.

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.

Power train:automatic transmissionDec 6, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V610000 · 4,194 vehicles

Problem: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.

Risk: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.

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.
  • Vehicle rollaway, engine on (EA16002) — opened Feb 3, 2016, closed Jun 24, 2016, led to recall 16V240000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed; however, the dealer confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

Air Bags · received Aug 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11760845

A few weeks ago I was traveling on unfamiliar curvy roads. It had recently rained. I fishtailed going through the curve, and my breaks locked up. Not long after I had the famous “Christmas Tree Lights” on my dash which are the ABS, Break, and FCW. Went to Advance Auto Parts to check code, and…

Service Brakes · received Aug 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755399

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While attempting to make a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal became firm. To avoid crashing with the vehicle ahead, the contact veered out of the lane and the parking brake independently activated and the vehicle jerked to a stop…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Jun 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11745747

The abs module lights came on and is not functioning properly. I contacted the dealership and the part has been on back order for years. The abs light, traction, and brake light is on simultaneously. Subsequently my wheel is locked up causing my car to not move at all and brake pedal has no…

Electrical System · received Jul 23, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11675779

Vehicle: 2013 Dodge Charger R/T I’m reaching out because my car has been showing signs that seem to match the symptoms of the V62 recall that FCA issued for the fuel pump relay issue. I have a 2013 Dodge Charger R/T with the 5.7L HEMI engine. Lately, the car has been having trouble starting…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jul 16, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11673932

Other Dodge Charger years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Charger?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 167 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Dodge Charger?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Dodge Charger a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Charger 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.