Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Dodge Challenger problems

Owners filed 193 complaints about the 2011 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA between Jun 2011 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (103).

Complaints
193
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system103
  2. Air bags35
  3. Engine23
  4. Fuel/propulsion system17
  5. Steering14
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)10
  7. Power train8
  8. Service brakes6
  9. Structure6
  10. Seat belts4
  11. Visibility3
  12. Exterior lighting3
  13. Vehicle speed control3
  14. Visibility/wiper2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20126
20139
201428
201551
201625
201720
201815
201914
20209
20215
20226
20230
20240
20251
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

103 reports1 crash5 fires2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at 80 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was jump-started. The battery was replaced. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V435000 (Electrical System) in 2000. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim, but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11724660

Air bags

35 reports3 crashes4 related recalls
“Read an air bag code that is B1CD2 which I think is park of the air bag wiring harness that was recalled on similar models and year but doesn’t seem to have been on mine. I just want to know if this would be part of that recall?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2022Air bagsODI 11486111

Engine

23 reports2 fires
“2011 Dodge Challenger RT (5.7L Hemi, <75,000 miles).In 2016, Safety Campaign P01 (Timing Chain and Guide) was performed on my vehicle. On May 28th, while traveling at 70 mph on the highway, the timing chain snapped entirely, leaving me stranded and causing catastrophic internal engine damage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026EngineODI 11751451

Fuel/propulsion system

17 reports
“THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP MODULE DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED LEAKING A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK HAD A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL AND IT WAS RUNNING DOWN ALL SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AND ON TO THE GROUND. THIS IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. ALSO THERE ARE ACCESS PANELS UNDER THE BACK SEAT AREA OF THE CAR TO REPLACE THE PUMP MODULES. FUMES FROM THE FUEL ENTERED THE CAR FROM THOSE ACCESS POINTS AND MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BE INSIDE THE CAR. I FIRST NOTICED THE SMELL AFTER FILLING THE THE FUEL TANK AND WHEN I GOT HOME I NOTICED THE FUEL RUNNING OUT ON TO MY DRIVEWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2020Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11375907

Steering

14 reports1 crash
“My vehicle randomly swerves back and forth when driving. It is very scary and could easily cause an accident and take my life. I’ve taken it to vigo dodge and had 3 different mechanics inspect my car over 5 hours and although they each drove my car and experienced what I’m referring to, they didn’t know what the problem is. I was told to just drive it til it got worse and then maybe they could find the problem. I’m scared to drive my car over 30 mph cause the random swerve could make me lose control or even swerve into oncoming traffic. I desperately need help and don’t know what to do.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2022Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11448953

Electronic stability control (esc)

10 reports
“SMART GLASS OP IS BAD IN MY CAR AND MY BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACE AFTER CHRYSLER JEEP IN MODESTO CALF FIXED MY ALTERNATOR RECALL IT TOOK TWO DAYSFOR REPAIR THE AIR BAG RECALL THEY FIXED LIGHT IS STILL ON SMART GLASS ACTING UP AFTER EVERY RECALL REPAIR ATTEMPTED ...THIS WHOLE CALL SHOULD BE REPLACED BIG HEAD ACE I WAS LIED TO BY THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD A LIFETIME OF WARRANTY NOT TRUE LOTS OF PROBLEM STRESS MY WINDOW GOES UP/DOWN BY ITSELFWILL NOT STOP PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR IN TOTAL I PAYED OVER 39000 FOR HEAD ACE WINDOW WILL NOT STOP NO SECURTY DRAING MY BATTERY PAYED 212.00 FOR A NEW ONE WINDOW WILL NOT STOP”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2017Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 10983802
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

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