Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Dodge Challenger problems

Owners filed 179 complaints about the 2013 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA between Mar 2013 and May 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (104).

Complaints
179
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system104
  2. Engine27
  3. Air bags19
  4. Power train16
  5. Steering15
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Structure7
  9. Fuel/propulsion system6
  10. Exterior lighting6
  11. Visibility/wiper5
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  13. Seats4
  14. Visibility3

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 28, 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
20137
201413
201539
201611
201723
201822
201922
202019
20215
20226
20234
20241
20254
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

104 reports9 fires3 related recalls
“Driver & passenger door windows on many 2010-2017 Dodge Challengers activate repeatedly on their own during driving and after ignition is turned off causing the battery to completely drain overnight & sometimes after only one or two hours after the ignition is turned off. There was a TSB#23-039-11. This TSB does not apply to my 2013 Challenger. Parts are extremely expensive and the car leaves me stranded if parked only a couple of hours. During driving the cycling down and up causes danger as it appears the door wants to open on its own and making us have to pull over several times until we figured out it was doing it on its own as if it was haunted. No warning lights on my 2013 Challenger. Mechanics checked it after having 2 brand new batteries drain overnight. Batteries are approximately $200.00. Dealer will only say the door latch mechanism needs replacing at approximately $480.00. Parts cost approx. $190.00.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2026Electrical system, StructureODI 11716732

Engine

27 reports2 fires
“* The ignition switch failed to release the key fob. I brought the car home after completing some repairs and sending the car through emissions testing to renew the plates. I made numerous attempts turning the car on and off and trying to get the key fob out of the ignition. The ignition off position would flash ACCESSORIES the same as the accessory position. I was concerned to leave the car as there maybe a short that would draw down the battery or worse ? I locked the doors and left the key fob in the ignition. * YES- available for inspection. * safety issue was is there an electrical issue that would start the car on fire ? * The diagnosis was done by my performance and high end mechanic's shop. The battery in the key bob was changed while being stuck in the ignition to see if a low powered battery was failing to send a signal. No changes. The shop did inform me later in the day that they forced the fob to the left and was able to extract it from the ignition switch. * YES, inspected and review by my trusted mechanics shop. * No signs prior to the attempted removal of the key bof at the finish of returning to my home.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11698630

Air bags

19 reports5 crashes2 related recalls
“Airbag light stays on and bells. I put in for the recall but records show even on here that its repaired but it never has. I'm afraid it may explode and metal may come out and and harm me or passenger. Why does system show repair but it hasnt been and can it be repaired? It's a part of recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2021Air bagsODI 11443697

Power train

16 reports1 fire
“while turning onto another street transmisson went into neutral. car would`nt accelerate, almost reared by another car. Car is at dealership now, they say it needs new transmission. only has 70,000 miles on it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2023Power trainODI 11546296

Steering

15 reports1 fire
“Last week i face a serious issue with my Dodge Challenger v6 2013 steering, while im taking a U turn (20klm /25klm) without any warning lamp or message the steering becomes hard that I couldn’t turn it and i used both hands to turn and caused my car to go on the side walk with the front right wheel. Starting from that time every time i take u turn its hard and i need two hands to turn but right turn so smooth, i went to dealership they said probably you need to change steering rack and pinion. I refused as it’s expensive and it happen by it self.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2022SteeringODI 11451639

Service brakes

8 reports
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND MY VEHICLE STILL ROLLS. I CONTACTED STATELINE DODGE IN KANSAS CITY, MO. THEY ADVISED IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY YEAR AND MODEL AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX ALSO THEY ADVISED THAT EVEN WITH THE FIX IT STILL MAY ROLL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE LISTED DATE OF OCCURRENCE IS THE LAST DATE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50000 MILES AND THIS HAS BE HAPPENING FOR ABOUT THE FIVE OR SIX YEARS NOW. I DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE MUCH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2019Service brakesODI 11279734
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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