2013 Dodge Charger
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 360 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 20 Charger model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 25 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 15, 2019
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially 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 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
Campaign 19V018000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Electrical system, alternator/generator/regulatorJul 10, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
Campaign 17V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 25, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Campaign 16V240000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureJan 28, 2016
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.
Campaign 16V043000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 27, 2015
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.
Campaign 15V467000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, alternator/generator/regulatorOct 8, 2014
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
Campaign 14V634000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionDec 6, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
Campaign 13V610000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
360 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Jan 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED CONDENSATION AND WATER BUILT UP AROUND THE HEADLIGHT LENS WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAN THE LENS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO LEAVE THE HIGH BEAMS ON FOR THIRTY MINUTES IN ORDER TO CLEAR THE CONDENSATION . THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT UNIT BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500. UPDATED 05/12/2014*LJ
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Nov 5, 2013, crash
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 2AM ON TUESDAY MORNING 10/22/2013. I WAS JUST COMING OUT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND IT JUST TURNED BACK TO 55MPH. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD SOMETHING IN THE FRONT END AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND IT STARTED MOVING BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT ME MOVING IT. I LOST ALL CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOT ME OVER TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND SLAMMED ME INTO THE GUARDRAIL. I CONTINUED TO TRY TO MOVE THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT TO GET THE CAR AWAY FROM THE GUARDRAIL BUT THE WHOLE CAR SLID UP AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL BEFORE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL AND MOVE THE CAR AWAY FROM THE GUARDRAIL. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT ON 10/10/2013. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE IT FOR TWO FULL WEEKS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THERE IS ALMOST $12,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH CHRYSLER GROUP REGARDING THIS AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT ACCORDING TO THEM THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED SO THEY AREN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED AND SAFE DRIVER, SOMEONE WHO HAS DRIVEN TRACTOR TRAILER OVER THE ROAD FOR 5 YEARS AND IF YOU LOOK AT MY DRIVING RECORD IT WOULD MATCH UP WITH WHAT I AM SAYING. THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THAT VEHICLE THAT NIGHT AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. THE FACT THAT MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND CHRYSLER WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING. AND I NOW HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING THIS SAME CAR AND WORRY EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE AS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE TRUNK MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LOWER SEAT HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2013
VEHICLE MAIN COMPUTER EXECUTED JUST ABOUT EVERY WARNING CODE AFTER START UP. THIS INCLUDED A WARNING NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND EPISODE OF THIS NATURE WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE FIRST OCCURRING ON THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT 13 OF THE FIRST 60 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER "DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL" AND ERASED TROUBLE CODES ON ADVISEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS DEEMED THIS AN ADEQUATE REPAIR PROCEDURE AND WANTS TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE BACK TO US. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ADEQUATE REPAIR PROCESS AND DUE TO THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE COMPUTER CONTROLS AND SUBSEQUENT ERROR REPORTING BY THE COMPUTER, THAT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE MAY BE DANGEROUS. WHEN THESE CONCERNS WERE BROUGHT FORTH TO CHRYSLER LLC CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I ASKED THE AGENT IF SHE (AND CHRYSLER LLC) WERE SATISFIED WITH ASSUMING ANY SUBSEQUENT LIABILITIES THAT MAY ARISE FROM OPERATING THIS VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION, SHE SAID THEY DO. WE ARE NOW BEING FORCED TO RETURN OUR RENTAL LOANER CAR AND DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WHICH MAY NOT IN FACT BE SAFE OR RELIABLE. WE STRONGLY FEEL THAT CHRYSLER LLC HAS BREACHED ITS IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CHRYSLER LLC HAS NOT OFFERED A "BUY BACK", OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. WE HAVE PURCHASED ROUGHLY $80,000 WORTH OF CHRYSLER VEHICLES IN THE PAST 12 CALENDAR MONTHS, WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER IF THIS MATTER IS NOT RESOLVED.*JB
Power train, Engine, Jul 24, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD CONTACT HIM BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD FROM THE INVESTIGATOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 09/24/2013 *JS
Exterior lighting, Jul 14, 2013
HEADLIGHT DEFECT. BRAND NEW VEHICLE. DRIVERS SIDE HIGH BEAM MUCH TOO HIGH. HIGH BEAM ONLY SERVES TO LIGHT TREES IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN USED. REPORTED TO SELLING DEALER, AND LEFT CAR FOR SERVICE. SERVICE WRITER STATED THAT THEY HAD CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. BY "ADJUSTING THE HIGH BEAM". AFTER PICKING VEHICLE UP, AND TESTING THE HEADLIGHTS, I FOUND THAT WHAT HAD BEEN DONE IS ADJUSTING THE ENTIRE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT DOWN SUCH THAT THE LOW BEAM WAS UNUSABLE. IN EFFECT, WHAT THEY HAD DONE WAS ADJUSTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT SO THAT THE HEIGHT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BEAM MATCHED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HIGH BEAM. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICING DEALER, AND SHOWED THEM PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LIGHT PATTERNS RESULTING FROM THEIR ADJUSTMENTS. THEY WERE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY STATE THAT THEY HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN AN EFFORT TO GET PERMISSION TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON LAST CHECKING WITH DEALER, MANUFACTURER HAD NOT GIVEN PERMISSION TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET SHOW OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE TYPE. IT APPARENTLY CAN AFFECT EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. *TR
Power train, Jul 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BECOME FRACTURED BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSFER CASE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WANTED THEM TO SEND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION BACK TO BE INSPECTED INSTEAD OF REPAIRING IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO SEND AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION, DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,000. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADJUSTABLE PEDALS ERRONEOUSLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ADJUSTED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 700.
Latches/locks/linkages, May 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD BECOME LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT LEFT THE KEYS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE KEYLESS FEATURE THAT WAS TO ALERT THAT THE KEY FOB WAS STILL INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO FORCIBLY ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,900. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Service brakes, Dec 5, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT THUMB AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.