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: steering
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Apr 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSED PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Steering, Sep 5, 2012
DRIVER HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH ESP BAS LIGHT COMING ON ALONG WITH OCCASIONAL POPPING SOUNDS FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING TURNS. ON DAY OF INCIDENT, DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A (LEFT) U-TURN IN A MEDIAN. STEERING WHEEL TURNED APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF ONE REVOLUTION AND WOULD NOT TURN ANY FURTHER TO LEFT. DRIVER JERKED ON STEERING WHEEL A FEW TIMES WHICH 'BROKE LOOSE' LOCK AND TURN WAS ABLE TO BE COMPLETED. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ONE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND DRIVER WAS TOLD NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND. UPON LEAVING DEALERSHIP, ESP BAS LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO A SECOND DODGE DEALERSHIP WHERE DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED A FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND NO FURTHER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED AT THIS TIME. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2012
I DRIVING AND MERGED ONTO ROUTE 3 GOING SOUTH; I TURNED MY RIGHT BLINKER ON SINCE THE RAMP WAS ON THE RIGHT, IT SHUT OFF WHEN I GOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY. AUTOMATICALLY THE LEFT BLINKER CAME ON, EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT TURN IT ON. WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 60MPH WITH THREE KIDS IN THE CAR I HAD TO TRY TO TURN OFF THE BLINKER, WHICH WOULD NOT TURN OFF. IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION SINCE THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC; SO I WAS TRYING TO WATCH THE TRAFFIC (WHICH MAY THINK I WAS MERGING LEFT) AND FIX THE ISSUE AT THE SAME TIME. REPEATEDLY THE RIGHT BLINKER CAME ON, THEN THE LEFT AGAIN. THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TRIED TO FIX IT, AFTER SEVERAL TRIES THE BLINKER SHUT OFF. I GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND EVERY TURN I MADE THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I CALL AND EMAILED CHRYSLER DODGE. I WAS TOLD A SUPERVISOR WOULD RETURN MY CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS. THEY DID NOT. I REPEATEDLY EMAILED AND CALLED. IN THE INTERIM I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND BY SPEAKING TO MECHANICS AND SERVICE PEOPLE AT DODGE DEALERSHIPS. ACCORDING TO ALL OF THESE SOURCES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DODGE CHARGERS. TODAY, JULY 26TH, I FINALLY TALKED TO A SUPERVISOR AFTER CALLING DODGE ANOTHER TWO TIMES. HE ([XXX]) SAID THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PART (WHICH I FOUND OUT WAS A CLOCK SPRING FAILURE) AND THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. I ASKED IF HE WOULD ALLOW ME TO TALK TO HIS SUPERIOR AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE ONE. HE THEN SAID HE DID BUT THEY WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING. I ASKED IF THEY WERE GOING TO AT LEAST WARN OTHER OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE AND HE SAID NO, THAT THE CASE WAS CLOSED. I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE INFORMATION I HAD GAINED BY TALKING TO MECHANICS, SERVICE PEOPLE (INCLUDING THE ONE WHO FIXED MY CAR) AND ONLINE RESEARCH. I TOLD HIM I WOULD FAX IT TO HIM. EVEN WITH ALL OF THIS INFORMATION HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Power train, Jul 7, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND SEEMED TO WOBBLE WHILE TURNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FISH-TAILED AND BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. ON THE FINAL ATTEMPT, THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE POWER TRAIN TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
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
Steering, Jul 26, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE PERFORMED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD REPLACED. THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.