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: power train
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Feb 13, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, there was an abnormal, repetitive thud sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wheel bearings were replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, where a diagnostic test was performed, and it was determined that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the driveshaft and had the part replaced by the mechanic. Despite the repair, the failure returned after exiting the highway. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V281000 (Power Train) and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Power train, Jan 6, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned independently in the unintended direction, and the contact had to pull the steering wheel back into the intended direction. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver pulled over and informed the contact that sparks of fire were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while his family was inside the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed drive shaft and hairline cracks in the transmission. The contact was informed that the drive shaft had detached and caused a hairline crack in the transmission. In addition, the contact was informed that the transfer case was leaking. The contact was informed that the transfer case and drive shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repairs were not covered under a recall. The contact referenced two unknown recalls, which had similar failures; however, the contact was informed that the recall repairs had previously been performed, and the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the recall repairs had been performed in 2018. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 1, 2024, crash
Unknown . Nothing appeared and there was no warning. Should I have been warned? There was no warnings or anything to prevent me from crashing except to make the best decision possible and crash into a less dangerous position.
Power train, Jul 5, 2024
The transmission is completely out but the vehicle is fairly new. I saw that there is a recall on the transmission on some vehicles but I’m not sure if mine is on that list.
Suspension, Power train, Dec 13, 2021
The contact's wife leased a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 60-62 MPH, she heard abnormal clinking sounds and the vehicle lost suspension and inadvertently turned to the right. The contact stated that as she quickly steered the steering wheel to the left, the vehicle spun out three times. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The contact noticed that the passenger’s side front tire had detached, and the passenger’s side rear tire was damaged. The contact also noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was towed the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driveshaft bolt had fractured causing the control arm to go into the rotors. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V281000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Power train, Dec 9, 2020
WHILE DRIVING & THE CAR IS IN MOTION, I WOULD BE ATTEMPTING TO UPSHIFT USING THE PADDLES ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD INSTEAD DOWNSHIFT. IT'S BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2018. IT UNPREDICTABILITY OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, GEARS, AND TIME OF DAY. I NOTIFIED THE SERVICE TECH AT REDLANDS DODGE, WHERE PURCHASED, WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR ITS 1ST OIL CHANGE @ JUST PRIOR TO 6K MILES IN 2018 AND AGAIN IN 2019. THE RESPONSE WAS ALWAYS THE SAME, THEY MUST DRIVE & DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE VIDEP THAT WILL SHOW THE WORST ITS EVER BEEN FROM LAST MONTH NOV ' 2020 IN WHICH IT SHOWS THE TRANSMISSION, CONSTANTLY OR EVERY TIME, DOWNSHIFTING WHEN PRESSING THE UPSHIFT PADDLE. HOW DO I SEND THIS VIDEO TO YOU?
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
Power train, Mar 13, 2019
THE VEHICLE TRY TO CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IT GOT STUCK IN DRIVE AND ONCE I GOT IT HOME WE HAD TO TAKE CABLES OFF BATTERY TO PUT CAR IN PARK THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK UP AND ALSO THE GEAR IS FLASHING WANT GO IN DRIVE
Power train, Jan 5, 2019
WE PURCHASE A CAR AND AUGUST 15TH 2018 AND HAS A WEIRD SOUND AND THE TRANSMISSION I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER LIKE FOUR TIMES AND THEY REPLACE A TRANSMISSION BUT IT STILL KEEPS DOING THE SAME NOISE, I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NORMAL SOUND BUT I TOOK IT TOY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME AND WAS NOT NORMAL THEY DON'T WANT TO DO NOTHING TO FIX IT AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE
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