Dodge Charger Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 792 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Dodge Charger across 17 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (220). The words owners use most often: “shift park” (15% of reports).
- 792power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 27mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 10related recalls
- $620typical repair cost reported by owners
- 32%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.
- Shift park: mentioned in 117 of 792 complaints (15%)
- Gear shifter: mentioned in 76 of 792 complaints (10%)
- Automatic transmission: mentioned in 44 of 792 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Dodge Charger at $620, and half of them between $530 and $740.
Based on 29 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2025), 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 power train problems happen?
Based on 638 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 792 complaints, 27 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 11 an injury.
Dodge Charger power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Charger | 9 | 35% | 33,000 |
| 2022 Charger | 3 | 19% | — |
| 2021 Charger | 5 | 14% | 54,000 |
| 2019 Charger | 1 | 1% | 20,000 |
| 2018 Charger | 10 | 8% | 23,537 |
| 2017 Charger | 17 | 13% | 49,724 |
| 2016 Charger | 25 | 14% | 42,000 |
| 2015 Charger | 32 | 24% | 56,070 |
| 2014 Charger | 60 | 17% | 45,390 |
| 2013 Charger | 48 | 13% | 51,000 |
| 2012 Charger | 65 | 10% | 68,450 |
| 2011 Charger | 21 | 3% | 58,700 |
| 2010 Charger | 19 | 8% | 95,469 |
| 2009 Charger | 6 | 3% | 103,500 |
| 2008 Charger | 33 | 5% | 79,800 |
| 2007 Charger | 220 | 40% | 75,000 |
| 2006 Charger | 218 | 17% | 78,684 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (10)
Power train:manual transmission:column shift assembly
Model years: 2022
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
Risk: An improperly engaged shifter assembly may slip out of the "drive" position, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall ZB3.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2018
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Risk: A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014
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.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2013
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.
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 20,283 my 2006-2009 charger and magnum vehicles built with the police package and equipped with a column shifter. The gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.
Risk: This could allow the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction startling the driver, and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable at the mounting bracket to ensure proper retention and shift linkage function. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:axle hubs
Model years: 2008
Problem: Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, dodge magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
Risk: This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on july 21, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2007
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 mph and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Risk: If the drive wheels locked up, loss of vehicle control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on october 2, 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft may be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle may not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Risk: If this occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll away and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on november 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The car wont move Fwd Until it suddenly Catches its gear Especially when its hot when the car is running for a long period of time and at a stop , or during a turn. The engine runs fine but the physical power is not reaching the wheels , Car will shut off if its not reaching it power , Cars feels…
The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making a clunking sound. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear draft shaft center bearing was not moving freely as the front shaft…
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to safely move to a parking lot; however, the vehicle could not be shifted into park(P). The vehicle was taken to an independent…
The vehicle has experienced repeated failures associated with diagnostic trouble code P06DD. When the condition occurs, the vehicle is unable to exceed approximately 3,500 RPM and experiences engine stalling and loss of power while driving. The issue is intermittent but has occurred repeatedly. The…
The contract owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 38 MPH, the vehicle began cranking. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road, where they called a relative. Once the relative arrived and inspected the vehicle, they noticed the drive shaft had…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Dodge Chargers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 792 owner complaints about power train for the Dodge Charger. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Dodge Charger power train?
Yes: 10 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Dodge Charger?
Owners report a typical cost of $620 (half paid between $530 and $740), from 29 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Dodge Charger?
The most frequent phrase is “shift park”, in 117 of 792 complaints, followed by “gear shifter” (76).
Other Dodge Charger problems
- Electrical System problems (1,921)
- Engine problems (1,026)
- Air Bags problems (778)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (513)
- Steering problems (408)
- Exterior Lighting problems (315)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (253)
- Service Brakes problems (240)
See all Dodge Charger problems.