2008 Dodge Charger
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 624 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 20 Charger model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 24 involved a crash and 22 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 24, 2016
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.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Campaign 16V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 27, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. 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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
Campaign 15V313000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionSep 17, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.
If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.
Campaign 14V567000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftNov 6, 2008
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.
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION STARTLING THE DRIVER, AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Campaign 08V583000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle hubsJul 2, 2008
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.
THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE HUB NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 08V295000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 5, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CHARGER, WHICH HAS HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO OCCUR SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN AUG., 2008. 2 OF THE PROBLEMS COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY IF I HAD WRECKED WHEN THE STERRING WHEEL LOCKED OR JUST THE OTHER DAY THE FAN BLADE MOTORS LOCKED UP AND BURSTED MY RADIAOTR. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO NEW TO HAVE SO MANY DEFECTS, ESPECIALL LINKING TO ELECTRICAL MATTERS THAT ARE NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE POWER-TRAIN WARRANTY, WHICH I FEEL SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN COVERED THE THE WARRANTY. AFTER READING HTTP://WWW.DAIMLERCHRYSLERVEHICLEPROBLEMS.COM/, I WISH THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION ON THIS DODGE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE BEING PAID OFF, BUT I AM NOW TERRIFIED TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWING ANYTHING, UNPLAINABLE CAN HAPPEN AT ANYTIME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT DODGE, CHRYSLER, JEEP FOR PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER. *KB
Power train, Aug 20, 2010
REACHED FOR DRINK, KNOCKED GEARSHIFT (AUTOMATIC) INTO NEUTRAL. WHEELS LOCKED UP. WAS GOING 70 MPH ON I-10 NEAR BATON ROUGE. SPUN SIDEWAYS, LOOKING AT WHITE LINE, THRU DRIVER'S WINDOW SIDEWAYS DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY, AT NIGHT . PUT BACK IN NEUTRAL, CAR STRAIGHTENED OUT. PULLED TO SHOULDER. WAITED FOR HEART TO RETURN TO NORMAL. HAD SEAT CLEANED THE NEXT DAY. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, DUE TO 'DRIVER'S LOSS OF CONTROL'. NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVER KNOWN WHAT CAUSED THE WRECK. HOW MANY HAVE DIED THIS WAY? *TR
Power train, Aug 9, 2010
AFTER RECEIVING RECALL 08V583000 INVOLVING POLICE VEHICLES WITH STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFTER ON 11/18/2008, VEHICLE REPEATEDLY HAS PROBLEMS ENGAGING GEARS. OFFICERS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE PLACE THE SHIFTER INTO DRIVE AND LEARN THAT IT HAS NOT ENGAGED AND IS INSTEAD IN NEUTRAL. IT OFTEN STARTLES THE OFFICERS, WHO ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING RAPID SHIFT CHANGES IN ORDER TO PURSUE VIOLATORS OR NEGOTIATE TERRAIN. OFFICERS FIND THAT THEY OFTEN NEED TO PUSH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER TOWARD THE DASH TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE APPROPRIATE GEAR, CAUSING A LAPSE IN DRIVING SKILLS AND A LOSS OF FOCUS ON VEHICLE OPERATION. THE LATEST FAILURE OCCURED IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROWDED INTERSECTION AS THE PATROL OFFICER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PURSUE A VIOLATOR. VEHICLE SHOWED IT WAS IN REVERSE WHEN IT WAS BETWEEN REVERSE AND NEUTRAL. SHIFTING TO DRIVE, IT REMAINED BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE UNTIL THE OFFICER COULD CORRECTLY ENGAGE THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. *TR
Power train, Dec 31, 2009
DRIVING MY 08 CHARGER SXT AND ITS IS SHIFTING REALLY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO JUST STALL OUT IS THIS NORMAL OR NO. *TR
Power train, Jun 15, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 08 CHARGER 3.5L V6 IN JAN OF 08. ONLY WEEKS AFTER I NOTICED THAT IT SHIFTS HARD ON THE VERY FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY WHEN IT GOES FROM 1ST TO 2ND. AFTER THAT IT SHIFTS FINE. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES. TWICE THEY UPLOADED A NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM. IT DIDN'T HELP. THE LAST TIME THEY CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THAT DIDN'T FIX IT EITHER. I HAVE JUST GIVEN UP NUT I AM CONSIDERING FILING A LEMON LAW CLAIM. FIGURED WITH THEM BEING IN THE TROUBLE THEY ARE IT WOULDN'T REALLY GET ME ANYWHERE. NICE CAR OVERALL, JUST POOR POWER TRAIN! *TR
Power train, May 31, 2009
2008 DODGE CHARGER SE PLUS 3.5HO SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED A VERY BAD SHAKE/SHUDDER/STUTTER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING, MAINLY FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN POWER LOSS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS NUMEROUS TIMES. ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOM, AND THAT IT WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM TAKING ABOUT, BUT THAT DODGE HAD NOT COME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT YET, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED ASAP. *TR
Power train, Apr 30, 2009
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CHARGER WITH 15,500 MILES WITH IN THAT SAME WEEK I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT GARY MATHEWS MOTORS DODGE, JEEP, AND CHRYSLER 3 TIMES AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO RYAN L. BROWN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 4-21-09 THEY HAD IT FOR LESS THAN ONE DAY AND SAID IT WAS FIXED THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP FAILED AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. I HAD THE CAR FOR ONE DAY AND I HAD TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY 4-23-09 AND THEY HAD TO TOW MY CAR IT WASN'T DRIVE ABLE THIS TIME THEY SAID THE SAME CODE WAS COMING UP BUT THEY REPLACED THE TRANS SOLENOID AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ALSO RNR VALVE BODY THEY THEN SAID THEY FIXED THE CAR AND IT WAS GOOD TO GO THE I HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE MORE DAY AND IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN IT WENT BACK IN ON SATURDAY 4-26-09 AND TODAY IS FRIDAY 5-1-09 AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULAR ON TUESDAY 4-28-09 AND THEY SAID THE SAME CODE IS STILL COMING UP AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE MORE PARTS SINCE THE 28 OR APRIL THEY HAVEN'T CONTACTED ME SO I CALLED THE CHRYSLER COMPANY TO LAUNCH A COMPLAINT AND SPOKE WITH ERIC SMITH I TOLD HIM WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HE SAID HE WOULD CALL GARY MATHEWS AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND CALL BACK AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I CALLED THEM BACK AND SPOKE WITH JACK WILLIAMS HE SAID THEY CALLED AND WE DIDN'T ANSWER BUT MY PHONE NEVER RANG AND THEN JACK TOLD ME THE SAME THING THE GUY AT GARY MATHEWS WAS ALL READY TELLING ME ABOUT MY CAR SO I GOT UP SET BECAUSE I CALLED CHRYSLER TO GET SOME THING DONE BECAUSE I BOUGHT A NEW CAR IT'S 1 YEAR OLD AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT SO I ASKED TO FILE FOR A LEMON LAW HE SAID HE DID SO AND GAVE ME A REFERENCE NUMBER OF 18546683 THEN I ASKED HIM WHAT ELSE CAN I DO AND HE TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD GIVE IT A COUPLE OF DAYS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I BOUGHT A NEW CAR ITS BROKE DOWN AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT CAN YOU HELP ALSO EVEN IF THEY DO FIX IT THEY HAVE REPLACED SO MANY MAJOR PARTS ITS THE CAR SAFETY I DON'T TRUST THAT CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Power train, Nov 10, 2008
THE OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ON 2 OF THE 20, 2008 DODGE CHARGER POLICE CRUISERS IT IS EVALUATING WAS FOUND TO BE DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS CAUSED THE MISS-ALIGNMENT BETWEEN THE PRNDL AND THE TRANSMISSION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STILL BE IN DRIVE WHEN THE PRNDL INDICATES PARK.
Power train, Aug 18, 2008
I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON AUGUST 4 2008. INITIALLY, WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WOULD MILDLY VIBRATE ON A COMPLETE STOP. I TOLD THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WE BOTH AGREED IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MINOR ISSUE. HE STATED THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT THINK NOTHING OF THE ISSUE. THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED THROUGH THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTED UP ON A SATURDAY MORNING PRIOR TO ME GOING TO WORK. I DROVE TO WORK WITH THE LIGHT ON WITH NO OTHERS PROBLEMS. AFTER ARRIVING AT WORK, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTING A APPOINTMENT AT EARLIEST TUESDAY MORNING. ON THAT TUESDAY MORNING, THE MAINTENANCE REPRESENTATIVE SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGINE SENSOR REVEALED " FLEX PLATE" ALSO THAT I SHOULD LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH HIM FOR ARRIVAL OF THE PART THE FOLLOWING DAY. I AGREED AND WAITED FOR TWO DAYS. ON FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 15 2008, I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE UNDER THE ASSUMPTION EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. AFTER SIGNING THE MAINTENANCE INVOICE, I NOTICED THE TECHNICAL NAME OF THE PROBLEM WAS A "FLYWHEEL." I FELT A LITTLE MISLED. LATER, THAT AFTERNOON, THE CHECK ENGINE FLICKERED ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING VERY HARD WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN. *TR
Power train, Apr 13, 2008
TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR EVERY MORNING. LOUD ENOUGH TO HEAR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO FIX OFR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT COULD BE ON ALL THE NEW 2008 V6 CHARGERS. THEY HAVE FAILED TO TELL THE PUBLIC THIS INFORMATION. AND FAILED TO FIX MY CHARGER. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE IN 3 WEEKS. *TR