Carlexica

2018 Dodge Challenger: problems, recalls and reliability

4 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (37% of complaints); the 2017 and 2020 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2018

4
recalls
74
owner complaints
2
fire reports
23,250
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingWeak spot: electrical system (37%)2 fire reportsProblems reported early (median 23,250 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)37% · 20 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)11% · 6 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)9% · 5 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)7% · 4 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)7% · 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)6% · 3 complaints
Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up it couldn't even be pushed out of the way. Traffic was backed up and people trying to get around because I was blocking a major hiway intersection. The dodge dealership has had the car 3 times and finally diagnosed it as the rack and pinion plug.Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
No power then open the trunk and the power comes back on!! Dash lights blink out and radio then window goes up and down! Will leave u strandedOwner report · Air Bags · May 2025
I purchased the vehicle which had minor passenger door damage under $500. There were false reports on Copart and Autobidmaster about the vehicle. They lied and said the vehicle was 91.2 percent damaged. The businesses are false. They admitted insanity as their fraudulent motivation. The title should be clean title and the door has been completely repaired. The title to the vehicle should be in my name. Car is ready to be registered. The reports from State Farm Insurance, Copart and Autobidmaster were what they said were false attempts to keep me from registering my vehicle I purchased. This has been ongoing since February 2025 and they are the guilty party.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
Control of the car electric safety equipment is compromised by the Uconnect system - delaminating of touch screen. This seems like a know issue and the faulty screen should be recalled.Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2024
The infotainment system is delaminating causing the system to start to dial random numbers with the ability for it to call 911 and hit the SOS button. This is a known issue with the Uconnect 8.4" system. It's an ongoing issue that they refuse to recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2024
I have had an issue like the 30 other complaints on here with my window going up and down and faulty switch!!! Went to dodge and the lady stated no open recalls on the vehicle so I was probably looking at $2500 to fix . How is dodge not being held accountable for this and being liable to create a recall!!! I'm driving and the window started opening and shutting in the middle of a hurricane and I almost crashed, hit a divider & swirled ! Had to pull over and wait 1 hour for it to stop!!! PLEASE HELP before someone seriously is injured by this window faulty switch mechanism distracting apparently since 2011Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2024
Since the day of delivery, the 2018 Dodge Challenger I purchased from Carvana has been non-operational due to a dead battery and significant engine problems. Despite multiple attempts to start the vehicle, it required towing to the dealer for repairs. Additionally, the car was delivered with illegally dark tint on all windows, including the front windshield, which is not compliant with California state regulations. These issues have rendered the vehicle unusable and have not been adequately addressed, posing safety and compliance concernsOwner report · Engine · May 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered cracks on the inside edges of the rims. The contact stated that the cracks were formed while driving over bumps and uneven road pavements. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was notified that there were no recalls related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2024
The infotainment controlls/stereo malfunctions constantly- it has turned the stereo on/off disconnected navigation, turned on or off heat/air conditioning as well as tried to activate sos dial 911- causes a constant distraction to attempt to correct the issue-Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2024
The adhesive that binds the digitizer to the LCD display will melt and causes thr infotainment system to press buttons by itself at random whenever it is on. Mine has tried to contact emergency services (911) while I'm driving. It is incredibly distracting while I'm driving. A known issue with 8.4 inch Uconnect screens made in 2017 through 2021.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2023

When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 4 campaigns

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18V280000 · May 2018

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.

Remedy: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE18V332000 · May 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)18E053000 · Jul 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD18V524000 · Aug 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive typeAWD/All-Wheel Drive

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 decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger reliable?

NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Dodge Challenger. The most complained-about area is electrical system (37% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2018 Dodge Challenger problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 23,250 miles or less.

Does the 2018 Dodge Challenger have open recalls?

4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. 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.