Dodge Challenger Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 620 complaints about electrical system problems with the Dodge Challenger — 37% of all Challenger complaints. The worst model years are 2012 (138), 2013 (104) and 2011 (103). Problems typically start around 48,000 miles. 10 related recalls have been issued.

620complaints
2012worst year
48ktypical miles
10related recalls
11crashes
36fires

Electrical complaints by model year

’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23421681031381046226151628177416
Electrical complaints per model year, Dodge Challenger.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2023614%30,000 miles
2022111%—
2021421%—
2020735%2,000 miles
20191729%6,000 miles
20182837%6,000 miles
20171633%42,000 miles
20161519%19,000 miles
20152621%50,000 miles
20146242%40,000 miles
201310458%49,000 miles
201213855%55,000 miles
201110353%55,000 miles
20106823%48,000 miles
20092116%51,000 miles
2008440%33,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    17
  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    3
  • Instrument cluster/panel
    2
  • Ignition › Switch
    1
  • Wiring › Rear compartment/trunk
    1
  • Interior lamps/bulbs
    1
  • Horn
    1
  • Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    9423%
  • 25k–50k
    10927%
  • 50k–75k
    10726%
  • 75k–100k
    4511%
  • 100k–150k
    369%
  • 150k+
    133%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the instrument cluster cover had cracked twice in the center and in the right corners. The vehicle was initially repaired under warranty; however, the failure reoccurred within several months. The dealer had since refused to perform a secondary warranty repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested visiting a dealer in another state and the owner declined due to the inconvenience. The failure mileage was 29,851.

2023 Challenger · Instrument cluster/panel · 30,000 miles · Feb 2026

I somewhat recently purchased a car from Capital Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Indian Trail, NC that is still under warranty. Less than a year old, a little over 5k miles. Recently my backup camera is saying not available or it is very glitchy, also trunk lid liner loose. This is my daily driver. Dangerous to operate, as it drastically decreases my rear visibility. Took it in a couple of weeks ago, waited over two hours for them to say it needed further diagnosis because they don't know what the issue is, or how to fix it They didn't initially offer me a car to drive as this is my only vehicle. When I said that I was contacting the NHTSA, FTC, NCDOJ consumer division, and the DOT, they said drop it off, we'll give you a car to drive. Now they are not responding to my calls or emails, after they said bring it in at my convenience. …

2023 Challenger · Jul 2024

The cars light notifications on instrument cluster panel turned on all of them at the same time while accelerating jerking the car on freeway I have video of that happening and can provide it upon request it did caused a minor accident but I settled the accident with other driver with cash with out involving insurance or police but the car is not being driven that much ever since accident it was nothing serious just a little damage to front bumper but it was really scary when it happened again on freeway thats why i recorded the problem live and can provide the video at request havent went to get the car checked out or repaired yet but definately need to it's a safety issue and dangerous one if happens at the wrong time or place I haven't received no calls from dealers or mail but will wait for further instructions from nhtsa the car is parked at the moment and will tow to the selling …

2021 Challenger · Dec 2023 · crash

My seatbelt seemed a bit faulty when I purchased the car. It was slow to retract and at some points wouldn't retract unless I played with the seatbelt. Three years in to owning the car it still won't retract fully and is at the point where it won't come out to a safe distance that allows me to wear my seatbelt. As for the electrical defaults, there are times when I am driving and the display, between my speedometer and rpm dials, turned off. So would my center display, yet my radio continued to play. There were no warning signs or signals when that would happen. It is always random.

2021 Challenger · Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle momentarily powered off; while coasting to the side of the road, the vehicle suddenly powered back on and continued to drive as needed. The contact stated that during the failure, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The vehicle independently restarted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,800.

2020 Challenger · 18,000 miles · Feb 2023

While driving the air conditioning control's stopped working. It required restarting the vehicle, to get it to work again . The air also started blowing out the defrost vents without being changed to blow through them.

2020 Challenger · Sep 2023

Was getting on freeway and hit the gas to accelerate and get ahead of the traffic. The Challenger would not accelerate fast (has a hemi) and car almost flew into me. Started testing the vehicle and it just wouldn't accelerate fast, it was stall slowly and pickup speed over 30 seconds or so. I brought it in to one shop and they said its probably a software update and to take it to Dodge and it should be free. Dodge told me it's probably not software, kept my car for 5 days and told me it was a software update and that they updated it for free but still charged me $175 for the "diagnosis" when I told them exactly what the issue was. And now that I got it back, it gets stuck in reverse, you have to turn the vehcile off and wait and start it again then it works. At a red light turn yesterday, it wouldn't drive forward and the "D" for drive started flashing.

2019 Challenger · Feb 2023

There is a loud popping sound when I start my car. It sounds as if the car is back firing. The sound has been duplicated several times. The sound does not happen every time, but it has happened well over 100 times. I have taken it into the dealership, and they claim that the sound can never be duplicated. Also, when I place my car in reverse and then drive the backup camera screen remains on in after driving forward for more than 30 seconds. This is VERY hazardous because when looking at the screen i can still see what is behind me which is a huge distraction.

2019 Challenger · Mar 2024

Related recalls (10)

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 21V-664 · Aug 26, 2021 · 135 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions.

Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 19V-203 · Mar 14, 2019 · 7,929 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood

NHTSA recall 18V-524 · Aug 9, 2018 · 12,779 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles

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…

Remedy: 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.

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA recall 17V-741 · Nov 21, 2017 · 17,116 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014 Dodge Challenger, Charger, Durango, Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Show 5 more recalls

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA recall 17V-435 · Jul 10, 2017 · 442,214 vehicles

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 14V-749 · Nov 24, 2014 · 11,674 vehicles

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured June 30, 2014, to October 8, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the instrument cluster may become inoperative. This could cause the gauges to oscillate at zero and the Vehicle Theft Alarm could remain illuminated.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a software enhancement, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA recall 14V-634 · Oct 8, 2014 · 435,081 vehicles

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator.

Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood

NHTSA recall 13V-103 · Mar 21, 2013 · 4,051 vehiclesDo not drive

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2012, through January 24, 2013 and equipped with a V6 engine. The battery positive cable at the starter motor may experience an electrical short circuit to ground.

Remedy: Chrysler has begun notifying owners and they are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers.

Electrical system › Ignition › Module

NHTSA recall 10V-200 · May 11, 2010 · 37,335 vehicles

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.

NHTSA investigations

Software security vulnerability

NHTSA investigation RQ15004 · opened Jul 24, 2015 · closed Jan 5, 2016 · led to recall 15V-508

On July 23, 2015, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched Safety Recall 15V-461 to remedy security vulnerabilities in approximately 1.4 million model year (MY) 2013 through 2015 vehicles equipped with Uconnect head units (HU) 8.4A (RA3 radio) and 8.4AN (RA4 radio) manufactured by Harman International.On July 24, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query, RQ 15-004, to investigate HU…

Frequently asked questions

Which Dodge Challenger years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (138), 2013 (104), 2011 (103), 2010 (68) and 2014 (62) model years. Electrical complaints make up 55% of all complaints for the 2012.

Is there a recall for Dodge Challenger electrical problems?

Yes — 10 recalls, including 21V-664 (instrument cluster/panel, Aug 26, 2021); 19V-203 (instrument cluster/panel, Mar 14, 2019); 18V-524 (front underhood, Aug 9, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Dodge Challenger electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the alternator/generator/regulator (17 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (3).

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.