Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, smoke emitted from under the hood and inside the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and was able to exit the vehicle without injuries. The vehicles engine became engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving home (city streets - 30-40 MPH), I noticed that the temperature gauge in my '09 Charger rt began to climb. I had to stop a few blocks from home to let it cool down. A couple of hours later I added coolant & drove the last 0.3 miles. At first I thought a radiator hose had failed, but I found that the plastic blades on one of the twin electric cooling fans came apart & destroyed the radiator. A web search showed that Chrysler issued "customer satisfaction notification l08 - engine cooling fans " in 2011 for the 2006-08 model years describing the exact problem I experienced. I called Chrysler & opened case # 59502947. After a few days of phone calls I was told that my car wasn't part of that recall & FCA would not assist with repairs or even supply the parts. …
Within the last month the vehicle has been difficult to start, then while driving it suddenly and without warning, completely stops running. Then it is hard to steer and has no brakes. This is frightening and happens without warning. The service dept at the dealership diagnosed and scanned for codes and tested fuel pressure and found pressure was good and found no codes. They installed a new battery and cleaned the throttle. The vehicle started and ran well for one week, using it for short trips to the store. However, using it to go 20 miles away, the above problem showed up again. At the top of a hill the car engine stopped, going 30 MPH going down the hill. No brakes, no steering, and luckily no accident!!! This if very frightening!!! This vehicle is going back to the dealership on wed, mar. 11, 2015. …
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.
I bought my car used approximately 3 1/2 years ago. It was driving fine up until about 6 / 7 months ago when it started stalling on me while driving. It has done this to me at least 15 times since then and lately has started to not start. There is hesitation at times and sometimes it just dies. The most concerning to me is when it dies while I'm driving, no warning, and then I lose my power steering. The last 4 times I've been able to pull it over and restart it but I have a 4 year old child and I am fearful of this happening and loosing control of the car. I will be calling the dealer this week but after reading the complaints and their outcomes I'm not hopeful that this issue will be resolved. Very concerning that this issue does not seem to be considered important to the manufacturer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact noticed that white smoke emitted from the underneath the hood. The temperature gauge suddenly increased to hot. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and towed to an independent mechanic. The engine cylinders were replaced due to a defective head gasket. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact experienced the identical failure on the day it was repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic for the second time where the head gasket was replaced. The failure occurred for the third time and the vehicle was currently being repaired by a different independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Charger. While driving 55 MPH, the timing chain detached from the engine and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle spun out of control and almost crashed into oncoming traffic. There were no warning indicators illuminated; however, a lightning bolt icon flashed on the control panel after the failure. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then towed to legacy Dodge of natchitoches (1798 highway 3175 n byp, natchitoches, la 71457, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a new timing chain was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was invalid.
Engine complaints in other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Dodge Charger, 25% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Dodge Charger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.