Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn and the vehicle stalled with no warning. The contact stated that previously, the fan and radiator failed to work due to an electrical short and the components caught on fire. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who replaced the radiator and the fan. The contact indicated that months later, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that burning fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the wires, starter and ignition switch were on fire. The contact was able to merge the vehicle over and it was towed to a dealer. The technician replaced the ignition switch and the failure recurred intermittently. The contact was included but was not notified of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V567000 (electrical system). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ESP and ABS warning lights illuminated. Also, when the speed reached above 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shift switched gears independently without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wireless ignition node needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system); however, the part 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 notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. After an oxygen sensor was installed by an independent mechanic, the vehicle failed to shift gears or accelerate above 35 MPH. In addition, the oxygen sensor indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to texas Dodge (7800 I-40 frontage rd, amarillo, tx 79106, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
While driving in the neighborhood the car shut off lost power steering car was in drive and ignition was still on. Turned the ignition off and took several tries to restart car restarted but would not go above 10 MPH and cut off 4 times thereafter. Drove a week later and same problem right before I got on the highway. Car shuts off while in drive. No check engine lights or any other indicator lights come on. This is very dangerous as this is my primary vehicle to transport my family
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the key ceased in the ignition switch while the vehicle was on, causing the battery to drain. Additionally, the gear shifter could not be shifted out of park. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or the dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall pertaining to the failure of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 136,000.
I was accelerating up an entrance ramp to the freeway when the vehicle died, causing loss of power. I coasted to side of road and restarted car. This has happened more than once, but is intermittent. I have noticed no common similarities, it is as if the ignition shuts off.
The gas gage on the dash is not reading properly my car said I had 1/8 of a tank and then driving down the interstate my car dies in the middle of the road lights went out power steering
I purchased this car on August 4 2008. Initially, when I test drove the vehicle, the car would mildly vibrate on a complete stop. I told the sales representative about the problem and we both agreed it might have been a minor issue. He stated the problem will be corrected prior to purchasing the vehicle. I did not think nothing of the issue. The day I purchased the vehicle the sales representative stated that the problem was corrected through the maintenance department. One week later, the check engine lighted up on a Saturday morning prior to me going to work. I drove to work with the light on with no others problems. After arriving at work, I called the dealership requesting a appointment at earliest Tuesday morning. …
On my way to the gas station to fill up my tank , when I arrive I put my car in park and as I'm about to step out the car rolls back , I'm thinking maybe I put it in reverse by accident but no it was in park but it got stuck in reverse my car has almost 80K miles on it 2008 Dodge Charger . This incident almost made me hit the car behind me because it rolled back luckily for emergency brakes it didn't . Had to have my car towed the tow truck driver knew how to put it back in park so he did as I called the dealership they said no recall for my transmission not for my car , you would think since the recall is about the transmission linkage becoming loose or something and startling the driver and can result in a crash it would be covered but nope these dealerships never want to help you , just createmore problems . …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Chrysler is recalling 20,283 my 2006-2009 charger and magnum vehicles built with the police package and equipped with a column shifter. The gearshift cable May become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.
Remedy: Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable at the mounting bracket to ensure proper retention and shift linkage function. The recall began on November 10, 2008.
Power train › Axle hubs
Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, Dodge magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on July 21, 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
PRNDL misalignment
In a November 5, 2008 letter, Chrysler submitted a defect information report describing a defect condition that could result in PRNDL misalignment (I.e., incorrect gear indication) in approximately 20,300 model year (my) 2006 through 2009 Dodge charger and magnum police vehicles built from May 17, 2005 through October 21, 2008 (NHTSA recall no.
Transmission complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge Charger, 6% of the model year's 624 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Charger transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-583 (column shift, Nov 6, 2008); NHTSA recall 08V-295 (axle hubs, Jul 2, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Charger transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.