Dodge Challenger Brake Problems

Owners have filed 108 complaints about brakes problems with the Dodge Challenger — 6% of all Challenger complaints. The worst model years are 2010 (30), 2015 (12) and 2012 (10). Problems typically start around 39,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

108complaints
2010worst year
39ktypical miles
2related recalls
12crashes
3fires

Brake complaints by model year

’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’2373081088125154316
Brake complaints per model year, Dodge Challenger.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2023614%—
2022111%—
2020315%—
201947%12,000 miles
201857%24,000 miles
201712%12,000 miles
201656%10,000 miles
20151210%37,000 miles
201485%41,000 miles
201384%20,000 miles
2012104%89,000 miles
201184%53,000 miles
20103010%37,000 miles
200975%30,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › ABS warning light
    1
  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
    1
  • Antilock › Control unit/module
    1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2937%
  • 25k–50k
    2329%
  • 50k–75k
    1519%
  • 75k–100k
    1013%
  • 100k–150k
    11%
  • 150k+
    00%

What owners report

At less than 1000 miles on the odometer, my brakes were seizing up after the car was parked in the carport for a week without being driven. When I would go to back the car up, the brakes were stuck. After they popped loose and I started driving down the road we heard a clunking noise. Upon inspection, we noted that some of the front brake pad material [semi-metallics], both left and right, had broken off of the pad and adhered to the rotors. If I had continued driving the car like this, it would have etched a very large groove into the rotors. A brand new, very expensive car, should not experience issues like this. Had I needed to replace the rotors, it would have cost over $1000. We replaced the brake pads to ceramics to keep this from happening again. Since doing so, I have had no issues. I have been on forums and this is not a one-off. Others have experienced the same issue. …

2023 Challenger · Nov 2023

I pulled car out of garage after a week and hear a pop. Drive had a severe wheel shudder after about a 1/4 mile returned to my house. Examined wheels the disc brake pads both sides had broke/crumbled and partially stuck in rotors. Pads are now crumbling. Car has 1200 miles bought new in August 2023. I never in my 46 years of driving and collecting cars saw anything like it. Went on Dodge forum and see similar complaints with pictures of exact same problem something is wrong and it is extremely dangerous given the weight and horsepower of these cars.

2023 Challenger · Feb 2024

I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn't get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it's the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. …

2020 Challenger · Nov 2025

In your own words, tell us what happened. Cro I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn't get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it's the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. …

2020 Challenger · Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound when the steering wheel was turned. The instrument panel would also get very hot. Additionally, the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the driver's and passenger's side tires were worn due to steering knuckle, causing tire damage. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not under recalls. The dealer diagnosed that the instrument panel overheated and burnt the connecting wires. The instrument panel was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V758000 (Service Brakes, Tires, Wheels). The failure mileage was 40,000.

2019 Challenger · 40,000 miles · Jul 2021 · fire

My mileage time ometer keeps jumping from 56000 to 68000 time belt. My car is fairly new. This vehicle should not be doing this. The break I use to start the car nearly starts it. The breaks is not connected to the fuel pump correctly.

2019 Challenger · Jan 2021

Rear backup camera will sometimes either be distorted or have a black screen while in reverse. This is a safety hazard as dodge challengers have large blind spots and makes it difficult to see when backing up without the rear camera. This has almost caused me to hit another car and pedestrians as it's hard to see them due to the blind spots and not having the assistance of the camera. While driving in the rain, the front windshield will have streaks across the whole window, making it very difficult to see while driving in the rain. Windshield wipers have been replaced several times but issue continues to happen. The breaks will shake when breaking. This causes the car to not want to break at times. …

2018 Challenger · Mar 2024

I was in the city of old san juan, in motion driving down a two lane street. I was in a straight way I had been pressing the brake down to 55 miles approaching a a slight curve ( not even hard, the curve only deviated few feet to a right and then a couple feet to left, in pr traveling to the in the historical area there is a cement like structure no more than 10 inches serving as a barrier between the two car lanes and the bicycle path). At that moment I lost control of the vehicle, brakes felt weird completely pressing them down, in motion. When I slightly pump the brake again going toward a full press the brake and wheels didn't respond. I tried getting control and as I left the last corner and steer I lost control hitting the barrier. My front tire went off!! Rolled down hill. After that my car got scratch at the bottom driving on my brake pad. I bought the car the same day!!!!! …

2018 Challenger · 0 miles · May 2018 · crash · 1 injury

Related recalls (2)

Parking brake

NHTSA recall 24V-112 · Feb 15, 2024 · 1,808 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger vehicles. The parking brake may be improperly adjusted, which can result in a vehicle roll away.

Remedy: Dealers will properly adjust the parking brake, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Service brakes

NHTSA recall 19V-758 · Oct 24, 2019 · 173 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles. An incompatible front wheel and brake package was installed and may allow the front tire to contact the steering knuckle, causing tire damage.

Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wheels and inspect and replace the front tires, as necessary. In addition, dealers will inspect the wheel alignment, adjusting it if necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Challenger years have brake problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (30), 2015 (12), 2012 (10), 2011 (8) and 2013 (8) model years. Brake complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2010.

Is there a recall for Dodge Challenger brake problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-112 (parking brake, Feb 15, 2024); 19V-758 (service brakes, Oct 24, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Dodge Challenger brake problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 67% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light (1).

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.