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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 122

Of the 2018 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.

Primary concernElectrical system45 reports · 37% of complaints
Owner complaints122Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system45
  2. Other or unspecified33
  3. Structure19
  4. Engine11
  5. Power train10
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Air bags5
  8. Exterior lighting5

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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: exterior lighting

5 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 28, 2025

    The drivers side headlight fuse melts continuously causing the headlights to go out specifically use 15 and few 16 for the HID headlights.

  2. 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”

  3. Exterior lighting, Dec 1, 2023

    Head lights become inoperable. Dealer says its a common problem. $1,500 fix. Well known power issue. Heavily discuss on the internet. Temp fix is to replace fuses that ARE NOT BLOWN. They are melting in place causing non contact. I have never seen a fuse melt and not blow. Potential dangerous situation especially if you have the owners replacing with a higher rated fuse then what is called for. The manufacturer has 20 amp mini fuses in position 15 & 16 to protect the two circuits. One for each headlamp.

  4. 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.

  5. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 29, 2020

    THE DODGE CHARGER 2018 SXT BACK TAILLIGHT GOING IN AND OUT AND HAS A SHORT IN WIRE HARNESS AND ACTING LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ANY POWER TO IT. ITS GOES IN AND OUT EVERY OTHER DAY. I HAVE REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT. ITS COST ME $400 TO REPLACE. I BARLEY HAD THIS VECHILE FOR A YEAR. UNDER 50K MILES.