Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 35% | 33,000 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 19% | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 14% | 66,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 8% | 24,000 miles |
| 2017 | 17 | 13% | 50,000 miles |
| 2016 | 25 | 14% | 54,000 miles |
| 2015 | 32 | 24% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 60 | 17% | 48,000 miles |
| 2013 | 48 | 13% | 52,000 miles |
| 2012 | 65 | 10% | 67,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 3% | 59,000 miles |
| 2010 | 19 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2008 | 35 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 224 | 39% | 74,000 miles |
| 2006 | 218 | 17% | 79,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the "Service Shifter" message was intermittently displayed. While driving 60 MPH, the message was displayed and the vehicle shut off immediately. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was shifted into park. After shifting into park and waiting for several minutes, the contact was able to continue driving. A week later, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and the gear shifter started flashing a red and white light. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle and waited before restarting it. The gear shifter was no longer flashing. Approximately 2 weeks later, while starting the vehicle, the vehicle experienced battery failure. The battery was replaced, and the vehicle started, and the vehicle was driven. …
The contact owns a 2023 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to safely move to a parking lot; however, the vehicle could not be shifted into park(P). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with gear shifter failure. The gear shifter was replaced, but the failure persisted. The gear shifter message was displayed with the transmission and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the independent mechanic for further inspection and was diagnosed with a loose cable connector. The cable connector was secured, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. A tow truck driver disconnected and reconnected the battery, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. …
The car wont move Fwd Until it suddenly Catches its gear Especially when its hot when the car is running for a long period of time and at a stop , or during a turn. The engine runs fine but the physical power is not reaching the wheels , Car will shut off if its not reaching it power , Cars feels like goes into Natural when it slips and finally catches its gear to move fwd . This has happen all the time at a contains stop and ready to move fwd or when I'm getting ready to turn during on going traffic car wont catch its gear to move fwd and gets stuck to not move as if it went into neutral . …
We purchased this vehicle new. Over time it started to surge on mild acceleration in all gears and all speeds. Dealership reset the transmission and engine computers. It was better but still noticeable. Over time though it gets worse. Dealership just does the same thing and resets the engine and transmission. This last time though it was still quite noticeable and has gotten much worse. We contacted the dealership and they plan to just reset them again as there is no other fix. The surging is unsafe especially in parking lots where you might be giving a little throttle and the car isn't really moving so you push harder and then it takes off.
Driving home from work when my vehicle lost control, when trying to steer my steering wheel straight the rear end of my vehicle locked up and ended up in a guard rail , there was nothing in the road or any pedestrian or other cars I have no idea what caused my car to lock up but I don't know what caused my car to lock up I know when my sales guys first go over my car he didn't fully mention everything to me I saw my tires pressure at 50 psi in all days didn't know if that was normal because my car was shipped so I know the dealership is suppose to inspect vehicle to make sure everything is correct to manufacturer specs when vehicle was towed to certificate shop for body and mechanic repairs car sat there 8 months plus when I got the car it was not driving the same and reading a message on the screen service sifter unavailable ever since then my vehicle is unsafe to drive my car now …
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with the "Service Transmission" message displayed. The contact stated that the continue to drive and do not shift message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and noticed that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the head gasket might have failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, there was an abnormal, repetitive thud sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wheel bearings were replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, where a diagnostic test was performed, and it was determined that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the driveshaft and had the part replaced by the mechanic. Despite the repair, the failure returned after exiting the highway. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V281000 (Power Train) and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact's wife leased a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 60-62 MPH, she heard abnormal clinking sounds and the vehicle lost suspension and inadvertently turned to the right. The contact stated that as she quickly steered the steering wheel to the left, the vehicle spun out three times. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the cause of the failure. The contact noticed that the passenger's side front tire had detached, and the passenger's side rear tire was damaged. The contact also noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was towed the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driveshaft bolt had fractured causing the control arm to go into the rotors. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V281000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …
Related recalls (10)
Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Dodge Charger and Durango vehicles. The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the shifter assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016.
Show 5 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the software programmed into the powertrain control module can cause a momentary lock up of the drive wheels if the vehicle is traveling over 40 MPH and the operator shifts from drive to neutral and back to drive.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge. The recall began on October 2, 2006. Owners May contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain pickup trucks, sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with 42rle automatic transmissions, the cup plug that retains the park pawl anchor shaft May be improperly installed. If the shaft moves out of position, the vehicle May not be able to achieve 'park' position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmissions and install a bracket to ensure the park pawl anchor shaft is retained in the proper position. The recall began on November 28, 2005.
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.
Vehicle rollaway, engine on
On April 22, 2016, Fiat Chrysler Automotive US LLC, (FCA) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in unattended vehicle rollaway with the engine running in approximately 811,586 model year (MY) 2012 to 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles and MY 2014 to 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 8-speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector (NHTSA…
Frequently asked questions
Which Dodge Charger years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (224), 2006 (218), 2012 (65), 2014 (60) and 2013 (48) model years. Transmission complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Dodge Charger transmission problems?
Yes — 10 recalls, including 22V-866 (column shift assembly, Nov 23, 2022); 18V-281 (driveshaft, May 1, 2018); 18V-280 (automatic transmission, May 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Dodge Charger transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (88 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › column shift (21).
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.