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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system103
- Air bags35
- Engine23
- Fuel/propulsion system17
- Steering14
- Electronic stability control (esc)10
- Power train8
- Service brakes6
- Structure6
- Seat belts4
- Visibility3
- Exterior lighting3
- Vehicle speed control3
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
9
28
51
25
20
15
14
9
5
6
0
0
1
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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.
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.”
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?”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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”
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.