2009 Dodge Charger
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 175 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 20 Charger model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 9 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 9, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Campaign 18V021000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Wheels, lugs/nuts/bolts/studsOct 29, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT A FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.
WHILE DRIVING, A TIRE AND WHEEL SEPARATION COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND IF FOUND WITHOUT A SPINDLE NUT IT WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835-1403.
Campaign 09V420000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsDec 5, 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 175 MY 2009 DODGE CHARGER, CHALLENGER, AND CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) SENSORS MAY NOT TRANSMIT THE ACTUAL TIRE PRESSURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER NOT BEING AWARE OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE.
OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH LOW TIRE PRESSURE COULD RESULT IN TIRE DAMAGE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TPM SENSORS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 08V642000 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
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, STEAM EMERGED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE, REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONTACT SENT THE MANUFACTURER A BILL FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE COOLING FAN BLADES EXPLODED AND CUT HOLES IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 17, 2015
I BOUGHT MY CAR USED APPROXIMATELY 3 1/2 YEARS AGO. IT WAS DRIVING FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT 6 / 7 MONTHS AGO WHEN IT STARTED STALLING ON ME WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE THEN AND LATELY HAS STARTED TO NOT START. THERE IS HESITATION AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT JUST DIES. THE MOST CONCERNING TO ME IS WHEN IT DIES WHILE I'M DRIVING, NO WARNING, AND THEN I LOSE MY POWER STEERING. THE LAST 4 TIMES I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL IT OVER AND RESTART IT BUT I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD CHILD AND I AM FEARFUL OF THIS HAPPENING AND LOOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER THIS WEEK BUT AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS AND THEIR OUTCOMES I'M NOT HOPEFUL THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED. VERY CONCERNING THAT THIS ISSUE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 23, 2014
TWO WEEKS AGO I PURCHASED A 2009 DODGE CHARGER. ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2014, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL I COULD SEE A RED LIGHT BLINK INDICATING THE THEFT SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, THE MILEAGE DISPLAYED, AND THE OPEN DOORS INDICATOR WAS ACTIVATED. MY REMOTE ALLOWED ME TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY DOORS AND OPEN MY TRUNK. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE BATTERY WHICH WORKED PERFECTLY. I TOOK ADDITIONAL STEPS TO INSURE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE BATTERY BY HAVING IT TESTED. THE RESULT WAS 100%. UPON RESEARCHING THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE, I FOUND THERE IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE WIN MODULE IN MY VEHICLE. I FOUND MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINTS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS BY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN CREATED. WHEN WILL CHRYSLER LLC BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH 2009 DODGE CHARGERS AND GIVE THEM SOME RELIEF? IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED, A RECALL WAS MADE FOR 2008 DODGE CHARGERS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT STEPS I NEED TO TAKE FOR A RECALL TO BE DONE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING IDLE. I FEAR HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE GM CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD WHERE THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS. I HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO CHRYSLER LLC AND MY DODGE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL EVEN AFTER ACKNOWLEDGING THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH 2009 DODGE CHARGERS. ONE EMPLOYEE EVEN STATED, "I'M SURPRISED THEY HAVEN'T DONE A RECALL YET. I'VE FIXED THIS PROBLEM OVER 1000 TIMES IN THE SHORT TIME I'VE BEEN HERE." *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Equipment, Jan 4, 2013
BOUGHT A 2009 DODGE CHARGER 5.7 V8 HEMI AND ONLY HAD IT FOR 5 MONTHS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE HOLE ENGINE DUE TO THE RODS BREAKING AND ALSO EXHAUST EMISSIONS THIS PROBLEM HAS COST ME OVER 5,000 DOLLARS PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 11, 2012
THIS IS A DODGE CHARGER IN THE AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S POLICE FORCE FLEET. AFTER PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND UPON START UP, THE AUTO BEGAN TO HAVE A HARD ENGINE KNOCK. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION WE FOUND THAT A VALVE SEAT HAD FAILED AND ENTERED THE PISTON CYLINDER CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE IS A 5.7 HEMI. THIS IS THE SECOND DODGE 5.7 HEMI TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF ENGINE FAILURE IN LESS THEN A YEAR, AND AT ABOUT THE SAME ENGINE MILEAGE. THESE CARS ARE PURSUIT VEHICLES, AND IF THIS FAILURE HAD BEEN AT A HIGHER SPEED SERIOUS INJURE, OR DEATH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 7, 2011
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE VEHICLE HAD A CLEAN CAR FAX REPORT WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK ON SATURDAY AND BACK HOME SATURDAY EVENING AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR ON MONDAY TO TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL THE CAR DID NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ASSUMING IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE STARTER. TO MY DISMAY THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED A COMPLETE VALVE JOB FOR $2,000.00 HE TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR ENGINE FAILURE CAUSE IT IS NO WAY A 2009 SHOULD NEED A THIS TYPE OF WORK THIS SOON. HE CHARGED ME $84.00 FOR HIS INSPECTION FEE AND DIAGNOSIS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO JEEP /CHRYSLER DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO CALIFORNIA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THE SAME DIAGNOSIS EXCEPT IT WOULD COST ANY WHERE FROM $2,000.00- $4500.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALER CHARGED A FEE OF $384.00 JUST TO COME UP WITH THE EXACT SAME DIAGNOSIS THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PREVIOUSLY TOLD ME FOR A FEE OF $84.00. I HAVE CONTACTED CHRYSLERS CORPORATE OFFICE 12/07/2011 AND EXPECT A CALL BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY I HAD THE DEALER ATTEMPT TO INCLUDE THE REPAIR OF A TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER FOR $400 THAT I DID NOT EVEN NEED. FORTUNATELY I HAD INSPECTED THE BELT MYSELF AND WAS TOLD BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT THE BELT AND TENSIONER ARE IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. I ADDRESSED THIS WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE TOLD ME I MIGHT AS WELL GET IT DONE BECAUSE IT IS DUE AT 100K MILES. I AM DISGUSTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A CUSTOMER IN NEED OF HELP. THIS UNETHICAL ATTEMPT TO GET MORE MONEY FROM ME MADE ME QUESTION WHAT OTHER FRAUDULENT REPAIRS ARE ON MY ESTIMATE. I BELIEVE DODGE SHOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND DO THE RIGHT THING. I AM PREPARED TO GO TO THE MEDIA IF CHRYSLER DOES NOT DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY INCREASED TO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE ENGINE CYLINDERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE ON THE DAY IT WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SECOND TIME WHERE THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY A DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 31, 2011
VEHICLE MADE LOUD BANG FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BEGAN TO LOOSE SPEED FROM 58 MPH. VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AFTER EMITTING AN ACRID BURNING SMELL. TOWED TO THOMAS DODGE WHO STATES"ENGINE LOCKED UP". *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 31, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2009 DODGE CHARGER IN 4/11. I JUST PERFORMED THE FIRST OIL CHANGE FOR ME ON 8/28/11. I NOTICED WHILE REMOVING THE OIL PLUG, THAT IT WAS VERY TIGHT AND HARD TO LOOSEN. AFTER REMOVING THE PLUG AND OIL, I INSTALLED THE PLUG BACK INTO THE OIL PAN AND IT WOULD NOT TIGHTEN ALL THE WAY. I REALIZED THERE WAS A LOT OF ALUMINUM DEBRIS ON THE SEAL OF THE PLUG WHICH WOULD BE FROM WHEN SOMEONE CROSS THREADS AND STRIPS THE THREADS OF THE OIL DRAIN PLUG HOLE. THE LAST ENTITY TO DO AN OIL CHANGE ON THIS VEHICLE WAS THE DEALER I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM. WHEN CONFRONTED ABOUT THIS, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS "COMMON" FOR THESE DRAIN PLUGS TO STRIP OUT AFTER A FEW OIL CHANGES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS I SHOULD NOT BE ALREADY HAVING TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN ON A VEHICLE WITH 52000 MILES ON IT AND A CLEAR VIOLATION OF SAFETY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. WEAKLY BUILT OIL PANS CAN BE EASILY STRIPPED AND END OF LEAKING OIL OUT ONTO THE GROUND WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE AND HAZARDOUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2011
MY 2009 DODGE CHARGER AND MANY OTHERS I KNOW ABOUT WILL STALL FOR NO REASON AT ANY SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHICH RESULTS IN LOSS OF ALL POWER, STEERING, BRAKES ETC. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER BUT SINCE NO COMPUTER CODES WERE THROWN, UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM, HELP!!!! *TR