Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power, swerved violently, and veered into a ditch. The vehicle sustained severe damage. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 147,345.
Purchased 2008 rear wheel drive v6 Dodge Charger 11/8/2008. 1st time I had issues w/ worn out front end suspension parts was in 7/14/2010. I had to have the outer tie rods replaced on my car which only had 26,036 miles on it, luckily, this was covered under warranty. Since 7/2010, I have had to have multiple various front end suspension and steering components replaced, not covered under warranty. *5/1/11 sway bar links & outer tie rods *3/2/12 outer tie rod end/control arm and ball joint *11/1/12 outer tie rod *11/27/13 sway bar links *12/10/14 control arm/stabilizer bar bushing. I've had to have my tires replaced 3 times due to excessive/uneven wear caused by reoccurring, expensive suspension issues. I am not a hot rod driver, nor do I live on a long bumpy dirt road and feel my complaint should be looked into for a possible recall and force Dodge to correct this issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while trying to start the vehicle, the key was extremely difficult to turn over on several occasions. The electronic throttle control warning lamp illuminated several times. The contact mentioned that as the failure progressed, the steering wheel was shaking while traveling over 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, who reprogrammed the keys and checked the battery. However, the failure recurred. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled several times. The contact was not notified but was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V567000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
I was leaving for work. First the car didnt want to start it took several times with nothing happening I could turn the key but the car would do nothing. I finally got the car started and on the way to work I made a turn and it made a loud pop in the steering wheel and then the steering tried to lock up. I took it to a dealership in corinth mississippi and he told me it was going to cost 1100 to fix it. I bought this car new and the car company should have to fix this. Well it is getting bad now somtimes it wont start for 30 min and the steering still does the same thing. I am getting afraid to drive it.
I was driving my 2008 Dodge Charger about 45 MPH, when suddenly the power went out on my vehicle causing me to stop in traffic. When I tried to restart my car, it wouldn't start. After several attempts to try to start the vehicle, it finally started.. A few miles into my journey, the problem happened again.. The problem is with the ignition switch that is recalled on my vehicle. I drive everyday with small children in the car and this is very unsafe. The Dodge dealer said the part is unavailable. I need my car to go to work everyday and this is very disturbing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving at approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the the steering wheel was difficult to turn left or right. The contact also mentioned that the wheel alignment failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The details of the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
The car does with no warning. You loose power steering, brakes, and acceleration abilities. It has happened twice on a small street going about 35 and another on freeway going 70. I was able to get in safety lanes and start car back. I have not driven since it did on freeway. No codes appear when this has happened.
Eletrical failure 2010 - 2015, steering resistance 2013-2015, wires burning left signal back light gone. Front signals left/right malfunction, trunk unable to open with program key 2012 -2015. Wepplease save my family and consumers of us.
Steering complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Dodge Charger, 5% of the model year's 624 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Charger steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2008 Dodge Charger, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Charger steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.