Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Dodge Challenger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the battery was replaced. The contact had received notification on NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 185,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The car has an intermittent issue where at highway speeds it will go into almost a limp mode. Basically the check engine light comes on and car loses power and won't go over 45 mph. I have to pull over and shut car off. It will restart and operate normally for a random period of time. Very dangerous when on the highway and have to pull over to the side of the road. From the forums I belong to, this is a very common problem. There are even members that have bought a brand new Challenger and had this happen to them after a few months. The code that usually appears from this is misfire on cylinder 1 and even the dealerships don't know what causes it and hard to diagnose since it happens randomly. Love the car but very annoyed that this keeps happening and no one can figure out the fix
I need to address a serious issue regarding the car I purchased in 2020 from a private vendor. Upon taking the car to Crown Dodge Dealership in Ventura County for repair, I had to pay roughly $700 out of pocket for the service and rented a car from Hertz for the days I was without my car. However, upon receiving the car back, it still had unresolved issues with the electrical components and dashboard noise. It is unacceptable that the manager at the dealership did not prioritize my safety or the quality of the car I purchased. Since this car is my sole mode of transportation, I demand a prompt resolution to this matter. I expect immediate assistance in addressing these concerns. Thank you.
Was driving normally going 65 mph on the highway when white smoke was emitting from inside the steering wheel. Between the dashboard and steering wheel. Engine was fine and no warning lights came on. Everything ran great except for the white smoke. I don't know what it could be. Luckily it didn't catch on fire
Pulled my car out of the garage, started washing her. The wire above the drivers visor shorted and caught the interior on fire. Thank god I did not hop on the road but was washing the car. 3 months later, still do not have the car as Dodge stops making headliners and we have been unable to find one at a junkyard.
2 days prior to failure I noticed a whining sound coming from the engine after which the car was not driven until 4/2/15. On 4/2/15, upon returning home after driving the car, I noticed the windows were very slow to roll up. I shut the car off and tried a restart, would not start, appeared to be a dead battery. When wife arrived home we jump started the car and proceeded to the local Dodge dealer. On the way the car was very sluggish, almost stalled several times and various dash lights came on; battery, ABS, traction control. The car finally stalled about 1/8th mile from dealer and was towed the rest of the way. On Friday, 4/3, a service writer told me the alternator and battery were bad. It was at that time I learned about a recall for defective alternator was in progress for 2011 to 2014 v-6 equipped Chrysler vehicles. …
Purchased new in 11/2010. 2 years into ownership, on about 4 occurances, engine would shut off, loose steering control and brakes at the same time while making a slow right hand turn. Problem disappeared and thought it was a fluke of some kind. Now 3 years later it has started doing it again every time I drive it. When the engine dies you can barely steer and have to really pull hard on the steering wheel to keep from going into oncoming traffic. Brakes do not function properly either, you loose all power braking and it is very difficult to stop. I have searched the internet for this issue extensively. What I have found is about a hundred other different individuals on several forum sites describing exactly the same problem. …
Owner vehicle electrical issue car will start and after 10 of 15 minutes of use will not re-start . Also , if I do not use the vehicle for a couple of days , the car appears to have no electrical power , I have to manually open the car door w/key, no dash lights and will not start .. When I took the car to have the battery tested . It was low but still good.. If I boost it. It starts right up unless I've been using it a while then it will not start until after it's been sitting a couple of hours . I replaced the starter relay fuse. But it's still doing the same thing . I also saw smoke and smelled something like wires burning from the direction of the alternator ? Other unexplained and /or possibly related occurrences driver side window will roll down about 1 inch for not reason .. Dash instrument panel lit up and all indicators as well .. I don't have time to fool with it right now. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact experienced difficulty with shifting to and from second gear, and the vehicle overheated and stalled several times without warning. An independent mechanic replaced the transmission seals, but was unable to determine a remedy to provide a permanent solution. The failure continued to progress and the vehicle was towed to martin Dodge Jeep Chrysler Ram (2209 scottsville rd, bowling green, ky 42104-4105, [phone]) to be diagnosed. The contact mentioned that the dealer replaced the computer once, but the computer failed again and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that further diagnostic testing was required and the part May no longer be available to replace the computer again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated while driving 65 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. In addition, the contact mentioned that anti freeze leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician replaced the radiator, but the failure recurred. The vehicle stalled, the instrument panel illuminated, and the gauge fluctuated rapidly. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,200.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge challenger, charger, Jeep commander, grand cherokee and Dodge Ram vehicles. These vehicles May have been built with a wireless ignition node (win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before August 23, 2010. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Dodge Challenger, 23% of the model year's 299 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Dodge Challenger electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-200 (module, May 11, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Challenger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.