2018 Dodge Charger
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 122 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 20 Charger model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorMar 14, 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
Campaign 24V198000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraAug 27, 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.
Campaign 20V512000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiring, front underhoodAug 9, 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.
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V524000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringMay 17, 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.
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 1, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
Campaign 18V281000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionMay 1, 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.
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V280000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 22, 2024
My safety & the safety of others was at great risk while driving my 2018 dodge charger sxt. While driving my dashboard lights went completely dark and the steering wheel locked. I was unable to move out of lanes threatening my life and the life of others around me. Independent mechanic put scanner in my car days later and code that appeared was “U0100 Lost Communication With ECM/PCM” I looked up my vin # on mopar.com and noticed my vehicle did have a “Important Safety Recall: Reprogram Powertrain Control Modulel”
Exterior lighting, Engine, Sep 24, 2023
Engine: Timing chain, valve rocker arms and valve lifters. All in sequence once the rocker arms went out with the lifters which is a common problem with dodge 3.6L PenStar engine it made my timing chain go off timing causing my engine to shut off while driving. Lighting: When vehicle was purchased i noticed condensation in both head lights got 1 replaced per warranty, they would not do both at same time and within 1 month moisture was in replaced headlight again. Dodge would not replace headlights even though the malfunction was not due to any wear and tear of mine. This is extremely unsafe for drivers if both headlights go out due to extreme amounts of condensation/moisture.
Power train, Engine, Jun 8, 2020
DURING MY TIME DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT HAS BEEN RUNNING GREAT BUT RECENTLY AFTER REACHING 23,500 MILES IT STARTED ACTING FUNNY AS IN. SLOWING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELERATING IT WOULD LOOSE RPM THEN GO UP THEN IT HARD SHIFT UP UNTIL THE 4 GEAR. PUTTING IN REVERSE IT WOULD MAKE A ROCKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. TO STOP IT I WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK. THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. I BROUGHT IT UP TO MECHANICS THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 13, 2020
MY CAR OFTEN TIMES WON'T REGISTER THE FOB. MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK OR START MY CAR. I HAVE BOTH FACTORY FOBS WITH NEW BATTERIES, SOMETIMES THE CAR REGISTERS THEM AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MONTHS.
Engine, Jul 19, 2019, fire
ENGINE FIRE: TOTAL LOSS
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 3, 2019
WE HAVE 12 DIFFERENT DODGE CHARGERS THAT ARE STALLING OUT WHILE THE OFFICER IS DRIVING. *BF VEHICLE WOULD PERIODICALLY (3 TIMES A WEEK, ABOUT 3-4 TIMES A DAY) HESITATES WHEN IT'S IN THE PROCESS OF SWITCHING GEARS. WHEN QUICKLY ACCELERATING AND BRAKING RUNNING (CODE 3) ON 4 OCCASIONS TO DATE WHILE CRUISING REGULARLY (PATROL SPEED) VEHICLE. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 16, 2019
THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A MONTH. VEHICLE IS PARKED. ONE HEAD LIGHT OUT, DEPENDING WHICH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OVER BUT ALL ELECTRICAL COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DASH BOARD MESSAGES INCLUDE: "SERVICE TRANSMISSION CONTINUE IN D. DO NOT SHIFT OR TURN ENGINE OFF", 'UNTIL YOU REACH A DESIRED LOCATION YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT AGAIN UNTIL SERVICED','SERVICE STABILITRACK' OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, AND "KEY FOB NOT FOUND" EVEN THOUGH KEY FOB IS IN CAR. SHIFTER CONTINUOUSLY BLINKS AND A CONSTANT DINGING AS IF A KEY WAS LEFT IN AN IGNITION. YOU CANNOT MOVE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. CAR HAS ACTED LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO START BUT ENDS UP TURNING OVER SLOWLY, A FEW TIMES BEFORE THESE PROBLEMS STARTED. THIS ISSUE STARTED AT AROUND 5250 MILES (BUT RESTARTED AFTER 15 MINS), THEN AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER AT 5300 MILES (GOT IT TO RESTART AFTER AT LEAST 30 MINS) TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND THAT'S WHEN DODGE REPLACED THE SHIFTER AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK. AGAIN THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AT 5857 MILES. MOVED CAR OUT OF GARAGE, NOTICED ONE HEAD LIGHT OUT, AND I KNEW I HAD TO TRY AND RESTART IT FROM PREVIOUS ISSUES. SURE ENOUGH, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER BUT ALL ELECTRICAL CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP WITH MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRICAL STILL ON. BATTERY HAD DIED BY THE TIME THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TEAM LOOKED AT IT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 1, 2019
WHEN AT A STOP WHEN GOING TO ACCELERATE TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION THE CAR GOES BUT SUDDENLY FEELS AS IF IT LOOSES POWER REALLY QUICK AND SLOWS DOWN AS IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS AND THEN THERE'S A HARD KICK (OR JERK) THAT THE CAR DOES AND IT REVS UP AS IF IT DIDN'T SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN AND IT GOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND WHILE TRYING TO GAIN SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Aug 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND TOWED TO AUTONATION CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM VALENCIA (23820 CREEKSIDE RD, SANTA CLARITA, CA 91355, (661) 379-7709). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAITED TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND THEN DROVE TO AN UNKNOWN DODGE DEALER IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. THE SECOND DEALER ALSO FOUND NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE BAKERSFIELD DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO PROMISED TO TRY TO GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 31, 2018
MY DODGE HAS SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING TWICE AND EACH TIME WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AUGUST 6, 2018 THE SECOND TIME WAS AUGUST 29, 2018. BOTH TIMES IT SHUT OFF ON US WHILE WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY
Power train, Engine, Aug 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODY FOLSOM CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (1859 GOLDEN ISLES W, BAXLEY, GA 31513, (888) 283-8230), BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT *TR