2018 Dodge Charger problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Charger, most often about electrical system. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
95
Recalls
6
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Median mileage
40,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 39 of 95 complaints (41%).
  • Body & Structure (16) and transmission & drivetrain (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 40,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries.
  • The 2018 Dodge Charger has 6 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 5th of 20 Dodge Charger model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2018 Dodge Charger problems by category

  • 39 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    29 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    16 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    5 complaints
  • Lighting
    5 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Engine
    4 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    4 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 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
Electrical system38
Unknown or other28
Structure:body10
Power train6
Structure:interior panels:door6
Service brakes5
Exterior lighting5
Engine4

When problems happen (mileage)

3Under 10k810k–30k2330k–60k360k–100k1100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Dodge Charger complaints that list mileage.

2018 Dodge Charger recalls (6)

  • Recall 24V198000Mar 14, 2024284,982 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.

  • Recall 20V512000Aug 27, 202026,361 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Risk: The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.

  • Recall 18V524000Aug 9, 201812,779 vehicles
    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.

  • Recall 18V332000May 17, 20184,815,661 vehicles
    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.

  • Recall 18V281000May 1, 201813,928 vehicles
    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.

    Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

  • Recall 18V280000May 1, 201871 vehicles
    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 Charger complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Apr 30, 2026COOther / Unknown
    ******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because it was requested by the consumer. Djr ******* delete voq *******
    NHTSA complaint #11734829 · source
  2. Filed Feb 13, 202690,000 miWVTransmission & Drivetrain
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11717796 · source
  3. Filed Jan 6, 2026180,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned independently in the unintended direction, and the contact had to pull the steering wheel back into the intended direction. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road.…
    NHTSA complaint #11709218 · source
  4. Filed Oct 7, 2025MOOther / Unknown
    Back up camera not working. screen turns blue. tried resetting and had serviced. camera will not work. According to the Forum many others have the same issue
    NHTSA complaint #11691946 · source
  5. Filed Sep 28, 2025WAElectrical SystemLighting
    The drivers side headlight fuse melts continuously causing the headlights to go out specifically use 15 and few 16 for the HID headlights.
    NHTSA complaint #11690205 · source
  6. Filed Jun 4, 2025TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    I have had to replace the vapor canister on 2 dodge chargers I have owned seems to be a common issue. Check engine light came on both instances one causing issues with inspection the other with emissions test and I had to replace the vapor canister on both in order to fix my issues delayed the process in getting my vehicle registered by the state. Seems there was a previous recall on the issue but has since lapsed the time period to have fixed with reimbursement had the…
    NHTSA complaint #11664835 · source
  7. Filed Feb 26, 2025NYElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    The unconnected touch screen spazzes out and I am unable to use it. I can’t even turn it off and the light flashing from it affects my eyes while driving at night.
    NHTSA complaint #11645097 · source
  8. Filed Feb 19, 2025MIElectrical System
    The UConnect functions will not work and randomly initiates functions so it changes stations, adjusts heating/cooling, asks if I want to contact 911, etc. This is very distracting and unsafe. Most of these functions on the Uconnect inaccessible. The car began having intermittent problems in 2021 just after the "Warranty" expired. The dealer said it would cost about $2,200 to replace and Chrysler will not take responsibility. I see this issue is very common amongst other…
    NHTSA complaint #11643662 · source

Compare the 2018 Dodge Charger 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