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 2008 Dodge Charger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, but was able to coast off the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle temporarily returned to normal functionality but was running abnormally. The contact stated that the failure recurred. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the PCM and the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 208,500.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle remained running temporarily. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle would no longer start. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under the recall as the vehicle was over 10 years old; however, the vehicle was not more than 10 years old on the date the defect was determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,846.
Accelerating on highway at around 45mph my Dodge Charger gave a small spurt of powder then immediately after i lost complete power and shut down. I had to move to shoulder of highway where i turned the key to off position and took key out. I tried to restart the car and it wouldnt even try turning over. The cluster lights of PRND38 (ive never seen an 8 on there before)... showed up with boxes around each letter which was not normal along with the lightning bolt light and battery light. We changed new charged battery still no turn over. Tried to connect a snap on code scanner and it wouldn't link. I also changed throttle pedal as well as throttle body because the lightning bolb light was on When can shut down while driving it.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as intended. An abnormal cranking sound could be heard coming from the engine. The contact stated it would take several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that last year he received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers : 4V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). The vehicle was repaired. The dealer is refusing to repair the vehicle for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
The esp bass light and traction control lights and the brake light keeps lighting up on the dash of my 2008 Dodge Charger RT took it to a mechanic shop and told them what was going on replace the wheel speed sensor in the back and the rear axle the brake light no longer lights up but the ESP and the traction control light still light up on the car sometimes cannot find the issue or what's going on
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system) and the dealer indicated that the parts were not available to schedule the recall repair for several months. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The contact later experienced the key not turning to start the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled numerous times and the contact had to make several attempts to restart. In addition, the contact was driving at 45 MPH when a fire erupted in the front and the rear of the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames and indicated that the fire initiated under the hood at the fuse box near the relay for the wireless ignition system and in the rear trunk area by the battery. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system) however, the failure recurred. The contact also stated that while driving there was an odor of smoke in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the wiring harness to the rear tail lights had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000. Updated 01/20/16
Tl* the contact owned 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, another vehicle crossed in front causing the contact to crash into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the contact sustained right ear, back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V567000 (electrical system) and 15V313000 (air bags) however, stated that the parts needed for the repairs were not available. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact crashed the vehicle into a bus shelter and a curb. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor was it diagnosed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system) however, the part needed 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 made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a back injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The vehicle was destroyed and not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000. ..updated 11/02/15 Chrysler did an investigation and claimed nothing was wrong with the vehicle. Updated 11/05/15.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12,…
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 397 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Dodge Charger, 64% of the model year's 624 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Charger electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-567 (ignition, Sep 17, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Charger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 14 fires and 6 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.