2008 Dodge Challenger: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 10 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge challenger. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the starter, crankshaft and crankshaft sensor was replaced previously. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufactured was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2020
“Taking recall this car was bought in november less than 100 miles was put on it ran hot then door locks widows stopped working air bag and engine light stayed on 3 mechanics no-one can figure it out then it just stopped working want crank or anything bought for my daughter who is leaving for college and no vehicle 7000 in the whole and no-one will work on it . So I need information on vehicle and what do I do.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2016
Show 4 more owner reports
“Ignition lock works erratically and binds. Intermittent operation of door locks, windows and panel lights. Some time it will not start, some time when the key is removed the chime will stay on after with no indication of any issues, lights off doors and trunk properly closed. Because it is a coupe my main concern right now windows must work for doors to open. This is at a stop. I start noticing issues when lights did not function when driving. Vehicle is garage kept and has 33,000 miles. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge challenger. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v444000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2015
“Takata recall: tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge challenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v313000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 dodge challenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v444000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Challenger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Challenger reliable?
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Challenger. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2008 Dodge Challenger have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.