2018 Dodge Challenger problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Challenger, most often about electrical system. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 43,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 19 of 48 complaints (40%).
- Lighting (5) and transmission & drivetrain (4) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 43,000 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury.
- The 2018 Dodge Challenger has 3 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 6th of 16 Dodge Challenger model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 26% more complaints than the 2017 model year (38).
2018 Dodge Challenger problems by category
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash23 complaints
- Electrical System · 2 crashes19 complaints
- Lighting5 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain4 complaints
- Wheels & Tires3 complaints
- Brakes · 1 crash3 complaints
- Engine3 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash3 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers3 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control1 complaints
- Airbags1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 22 |
| Electrical system | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power train | 3 |
| Service brakes | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2018 Dodge Challenger recalls (3)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- 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.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
Recent 2018 Dodge Challenger complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 2, 2026MIElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
The Uconnect HMI/touchscreen in my 2018 Dodge Challenger has visibly delaminated and developed severe phantom touch inputs. When powered on, the screen registers commands without any physical contact. The failed touchscreen remains installed and available for inspection. The vehicle has approximately 19,600 miles. This creates a significant driver distraction and safety risk while driving because the touchscreen repeatedly activates functions and changes settings without my…
NHTSA complaint #11761567 · source - Filed Jun 9, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain
Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up it couldn't even be pushed out of the way. Traffic was backed up and people trying to get around because I was blocking a major hiway intersection. The dodge dealership has had the car 3 times and finally diagnosed it as the rack and…
NHTSA complaint #11743056 · source - Filed Apr 6, 202675,000 miGAWheels & Tires
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered cracks on the inside edges of the rims. The contact stated that the cracks were formed while driving over bumps and uneven road pavements. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was notified that there were no recalls related to…
NHTSA complaint #11729418 · source - Filed Jan 18, 2026CAOther / Unknown
I purchased the vehicle which had minor passenger door damage under $500. There were false reports on Copart and Autobidmaster about the vehicle. They lied and said the vehicle was 91.2 percent damaged. The businesses are false. They admitted insanity as their fraudulent motivation. The title should be clean title and the door has been completely repaired. The title to the vehicle should be in my name. Car is ready to be registered. The reports from State Farm Insurance,…
NHTSA complaint #11711734 · source - Filed Sep 11, 2025ALElectrical System
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the left turn signal light failed to function as intended. The turn signal light on the instrument panel was flashing erratically. The message "Left Turn Signal Out" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at various speeds, the passenger’s side window failed to function as intended. The window was…
NHTSA complaint #11686582 · source - Filed Aug 19, 2025CAFireEngine
I got the car on 4/13/2025 from a Toyota dealership with about 31000 miles they told me the car fax showed the car had 2 owners a regular customer and another dealership, they also told me they change the battery but they failed to disclosed that they took the car to a body shop to fix a dent and to be repainted, by mistake they offered me the Toyota warranty 5 years or 60000 miles , on 8/10/25 while driving the car it caught on fire luckily nobody got injured , after…
NHTSA complaint #11681493 · source - Filed Jun 26, 2025MEElectrical System
My trouble is with my 2018 Dodge Challenger. The UConnect system is delaminating and the entire system is malfunctioning. I have taken the vehicle to my local Dodge dealer and showed them the issue, and they agree there is an issue. The safety issue is that the screen display system goes into what is called "ghost touching" where random buttons on the display are acting as if someone is pushing them but no one is touching anything. While backing up, the screen goes haywire,…
NHTSA complaint #11669404 · source - Filed May 16, 2025OHAirbagsElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
No power then open the trunk and the power comes back on!! Dash lights blink out and radio then window goes up and down! Will leave u stranded
NHTSA complaint #11661550 · source
Compare the 2018 Dodge Challenger with another vehicle →
Other 2018 Dodge models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology