Problems · by component

2010 Dodge Challenger engine problems

75 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Dodge Challenger cite engine, 25% of all 299 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
75
25% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Was driving and a tick was present then over heated sat on side of road until cooled down added coolant drove home . The next day car was drivable. Drove to school and car was sounding funny so took it to a repair shop and they told me the particular engine in the vehicle has a fuel efficient component where it shuts down the cylinders on the freeway, and the lifters are supposed to open, but our lifter did not open. It got stuck and grind the camshaft in the motor. Needless to say I had to have the car towed home. It’s just sitting in my parking lot. I tried calling Dodge. They wouldn’t help me. I tried calling multiple agencies to help. I looked up on the Internet and there is multiple complaints about the same problem it’s called the hemi lift so hopefully one day this can be recalled because I’m still paying on the car. I had a year and a half. No one will help me. My kids were driving the car. What if the thing blew up on them on the freeway and somebody hit them because Car wouldn’t move anymore . Or if they were taking the car through the desert and there is no phone calls and no one around. If they were going around corners of a mountain and just…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2025EngineODI 11644380
“I need to address a serious issue regarding the car I purchased in 2020 from a private vendor. Upon taking the car to Crown Dodge Dealership in Ventura County for repair, I had to pay roughly $700 out of pocket for the service and rented a car from Hertz for the days I was without my car. However, upon receiving the car back, it still had unresolved issues with the electrical components and dashboard noise. It is unacceptable that the manager at the dealership did not prioritize my safety or the quality of the car I purchased. Since this car is my sole mode of transportation, I demand a prompt resolution to this matter. I expect immediate assistance in addressing these concerns. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2024Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11597777
“I experienced a catastrophic timing chain failure despite prior recall work being performed by Dodge that supposedly resolved their known timing chain issues with the 5.7L hemi with automatic transmission. This failure occurred without any prior warning at a cruising speed of about 65 MPH rendering the car undrivable. There were no warning lights, drivability issues, or signs of the impending failure. This is a well-maintained car with only 80,000 miles, never missing a required oil change and other maintenance tasks. Timing chains should not fail at such low milage - indeed, timing belts will last longer before they fail. This failure occurred on a major highway placing me and other motorists in danger from the car being unmovable and potentially causing a high-speed collision on a 70 MPH highway. If this had occurred less than 0.5 miles down the road, both shoulders of the roadway were closed due to road widening construction. A certified letter with pictures of the timing chain and timing chain guide failures with a receipt for associated repairs was sent the to the manufacturer in December 2023 but they have not given me the courtesy of a reply. The engine…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2024EngineODI 11580608
“The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the low engine oil warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred approximately three or four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2023EngineODI 11561562
“The Gen III hemi has an inherent design flaw in which the rollers making contact with the camshaft will fail, causing damage to the camshaft and causing the engine to misfire. This is due to the camshaft being moved away from the crankshaft as it causes oil starvation. After extensive research it appears to affect cars of various miles and workload. There is no single cause that makes this happen other than a grievous design flaw. The main complaint is that you experience total power loss at higher revs, making it dangerous to drive on the interstate or attempting to merge into traffics as the engine begins to shudder and lose most power. Whether it’s 40K miles or 110K miles, the flaw does not discriminate. After numerous attempts to reach Chrysler technical service on how to prevent this, I’ve been ignored and case numbers deleted. Now this is very important. This causes a misfire which not only destroys catalytic converters, but arrives with no notice. It’s very possible someone may be attempting to pass someone on the interstate and suddenly lose power. My mechanic inspected it and confirmed that the rollers failed, causing causing lifters to not make proper…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2021Power train, EngineODI 11435441
“The car has an intermittent issue where at highway speeds it will go into almost a limp mode. Basically the check engine light comes on and car loses power and won't go over 45 mph. I have to pull over and shut car off. It will restart and operate normally for a random period of time. Very dangerous when on the highway and have to pull over to the side of the road. From the forums I belong to, this is a very common problem. There are even members that have bought a brand new Challenger and had this happen to them after a few months. The code that usually appears from this is misfire on cylinder 1 and even the dealerships don't know what causes it and hard to diagnose since it happens randomly. Love the car but very annoyed that this keeps happening and no one can figure out the fix”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2021Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11419832

Showing 6 of 75 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.