Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Dodge Challenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
During an auto accident the ram emblem on my steering wheel shot off of the steering wheel when the air bags deployed and becoming a projectile and hitting me in the neck leaving a deep bruise and abrasions to the area the ram emblem hit. Its been nearly 3 weeks and the bruising is still present and the skin is still red from the injury. Attached and you can even see the ram horns in in neck. This photo taken later that day. If this can happen in my with my accident I was just lucky it didn't hit my eye or worse. The contact stated that they now have a permanent scar on their neck from the steering wheel projectile. They have not contacted the manufacturer and the vehicle is no longer in their possession.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the "check air bag" warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local parts store where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side and passenger's side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V444000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
I took my car to the dealer for recalls they didn't fix anything they left my car out in the rain the hood up and Choppa had my car for a whole month did any nothing they were very courteous no customer assistance nothing
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving, an animal jumped in front of the vehicle causing the vehicle to swerve and crash into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a fractured nose, bruise arms, and right shoulder injuries that needed medical attention. The vehicle was towed to towing lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V444000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
I brought my car 8 months ago and the delalership never told me about any of the four recalls I never received any papers in the mail concerning the recalls and that puts me and my children at risk everyday it's a scary feeling I also hit a tree that was in the middle of the street my steering g wheel was hard to control and my breaks as well
This vehicle was in perfect operational conditions prior to the repairs regarding the Takata inflators. Immediately following this repair, I have replaced the battery on two separate occasions. A completely charged battery will discharge overnight. After a complete diagnostic evaluation by Dodge dealership, they found no problems with vehicle. In the 12-days following this diagnostic, I have charged the battery twice. I am really concerned that an electrical defect, as a result of the dealership repairs, May contribute to an electrical fire or a possible explosive concern. I am concerned for the safety of my self, as well as my family. This has been an on-going concern for approximately 6-months.
I have experienced numerous breathing difficulties, I suspect have been caused by the air blowing out the vehicles ventilation system... I regularly develop chest pain in my breast area and migraine headaches after being in the vehicle for an extended period. I have reason to believe that the vehicle had been tampered with prior to my purchase . I've recently discovered false information related to the ownership of the car, through a carfax search
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the air bag light was constantly illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V444000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. While driving approximately 20 MPH he crashed into a vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver in the other vehicle was injured. The vehicle was towed to a towing company but was not examined for the cause of failure or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 23,000.
We haven't had a specific incident but several months ago we were sent a recall notification on the Dodge Challenger stating that "the driver airbag inflator housing in your vehicle May rupture, due to excessive or internal pressure, during normal airbag deployment events. This condition is more likely to occur if your vehicle has been exposed to high levels of absolute humidity..." we have contacted Fiat Chrysler automobiles and a local Dodge dealership and they are both refusing to fix the problem and have no other solutions. It is my understanding that when a recall is issued the manufacturer is required to provide a solution - either fixing the problem or buying back the vehicle. This is clearly a major safety concern, we live in texas so the humidity statement definitely applies and with no fix we're not able to drive the vehicle now so something needs to be done. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. 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.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Dodge Challenger, 31% of the model year's 133 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Challenger airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-021 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-352 (inflator module, May 24, 2016); NHTSA recall 15V-444 (inflator module, Jul 10, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Challenger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.