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 2009 Dodge Charger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle had shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally, but the failure persisted. The contact replaced the spark plugs, battery, and fuel pump but the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall and the driver's side air bag was replaced. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the screen was black. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000. The VIN was not available.
I was sold this car from a dealer and told nothing was wrong with it, 2 days later codes U0002 (CAN communication BUS performance) and U0103 (Loss communication with gear shift module) came on and the car will go into what I believe is limp mode every 10-30 minutes into driving it. I believe the Column shifter assembly is to blame as there was a recall for this same part and I'm having the same exact issues stated in the recall making it unsafe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact was driving at 35 MPH, when all of the warning lights illuminated then stopped. The vehicle stalled but the contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact then saw black smoke coming from the engine compartment and was able to put the fire out with a wet rag and some water. The contact then contacted his insurance company when he noticed that there was smoke coming from the rear seats. The fire department arrived and opened the trunk with a crowbar and saw that the battery had caught fire. The contact and his daughter, who was a passenger in the vehicle did not sustain injuries. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Our 2009 Dodge Charger was in the garage, I noticed smoke on the outside of the house and went into the garage and our car was engulfed in flames. The fire caused extensive damage to the garage and smoke & water damage to the entire house. This the summary from the fire inspector that was sent out by our insurance company: based on scene observations, witness interviews, and information received, the cause of the fire was most probably related to an electrical failure involving wiring and or components of the 2009 Dodge Charger. More specifically, the fire occurred in the engine compartment on the driver side. The cause of the fire was an electrical event occurring in the origin area resulting in the ignition of combustible wiring insulation and other combustible materials within the engine compartment area left side.
Vehicle is a 6 cyl. Used police package unit with 107,200 miles. On several occasions, vehicle has "shut off" while driving requiring putting vehicle in neutral and restarting engine while pulling to a safe location without power steering or power brakes. The key automatically turned to the "off" position each time, causing the engine to shut off. Also, key could not be removed and while in the off position, all accessories still worked. Finally was able to remove key and took vehicle to dealership. Service advisor could not remove key. Appointment made to check problem (1st one 4 days later), and when home, had to disconnect battery to shut off everything. Only other recall is for the Takata airbag replacement where parts are still not available after almost a year. Very dangerous with vehicle shutting off while driving, particularily for a novice or insecure driver. …
All of my steering column components quit working, I have no turn signals, wipers, brights, cruise control, horn or power mirrors. Now the taillights illuminate only when they want to but brake lights work. I was stopped and informed that I had no rear lighting at all and that is was very unsafe. I've spent a lot of money replacing parts but nothing is getting fixed not too mention the safety aspect of it all with no turn signals or windshield wipers and the taillights or running lights not working unless I unhook the brake light switch which I also replaced. The airbag light comes on here and there as well. I believe it's the TIPM but I need something done about this. It's been months since I've been able to drive the car and having everything working properly. I also take care of my vehicles and keep up on routine maintenance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the battery service and check engine warning lights illuminated. The fuel gauge to reading was incorrect. The contact took the vehicle to rick hendrick Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram Fiat (8333 rivers ave, north charleston, sc 29406; [phone]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the PCM failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel pump assembly, battery, alternator, spark plugs, fuel pump, heating hoses, PCM, and thermostat also needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Prior to my mishap I had no signs of malfunction I was driving early one morning in my car just shut off and will not restart come to find out there's a recall on my TIPM but the recall was only for a certain timeframe and my car was manufactured literally few months after the recall dates ended no I have a really problem under the fuse box and I feel it's not fair that the recall was only for a certain time. When I have all the same parts as the recall car is dead my car was manufactured in December 2008 but got the 2010 TIPM dude box I spent a large amount of money trying to diagnose and fix the problem and so we realized it was the internal relay .is there anything I can do about this
I have had another incident where the automobile has had another mechanical malfunction. I was slowing down to turn at a stop light. It died, right before I started my turn. This is now the fourth incident with the same issue. Thankfully I was not hurt this time. Though I am still suffering from the incident from December 8th. My daughter was with me again when this incident occurred. She said, "mom the light is green". I said, "I know, the car is dead". I would like to know what is being done, before someone gets killed.
Electrical complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Dodge Charger, 26% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Charger electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Dodge Charger, though it has 6 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 2009 Dodge Charger electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 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.