Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Dodge Challenger problems

Owners filed 75 complaints about the 2018 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (28).

Complaints
75
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system28
  2. Power train8
  3. Wheels6
  4. Steering6
  5. Engine5
  6. Air bags5
  7. Service brakes5
  8. Exterior lighting5
  9. Visibility/wiper4
  10. Suspension4
  11. Vehicle speed control3
  12. Seats2
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  14. Structure1

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
201810
201917
20207
202111
202210
20235
20247
20254
20264

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

28 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“The Uconnect HMI/touchscreen in my 2018 Dodge Challenger has visibly delaminated and developed severe phantom touch inputs. When powered on, the screen registers commands without any physical contact. The failed touchscreen remains installed and available for inspection. The vehicle has approximately 19,600 miles. This creates a significant driver distraction and safety risk while driving because the touchscreen repeatedly activates functions and changes settings without my input, including HVAC controls, fan speed, camera activation, audio sources/stations, menus, and other touchscreen-controlled features. Because the system is actively issuing unintended commands, I must look away from the road to determine what changed and try to correct it. Additional phantom inputs repeatedly occur immediately afterward, forcing repeated attention to the screen and diverting focus from traffic, road conditions, pedestrians, cyclists, and other hazards. The ongoing, unpredictable malfunction increases crash risk. The safety concern is not that the infotainment system is inoperative; it is that the touchscreen actively generates unintended inputs while driving, creating a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11761567

Power train

8 reports2 related recalls
“Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up it couldn't even be pushed out of the way. Traffic was backed up and people trying to get around because I was blocking a major hiway intersection. The dodge dealership has had the car 3 times and finally diagnosed it as the rack and pinion plug.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Power trainODI 11743056

Wheels

6 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered cracks on the inside edges of the rims. The contact stated that the cracks were formed while driving over bumps and uneven road pavements. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was notified that there were no recalls related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 6, 2026WheelsODI 11729418

Steering

6 reports2 crashes
“Backing out of the garage, instrument panel lit up with “Power Steering Assist Off - Service System” message. Car very difficult to turn now. Code scan shows code CC2217-00”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2021SteeringODI 11423301

Engine

5 reports1 fire
“I got the car on 4/13/2025 from a Toyota dealership with about 31000 miles they told me the car fax showed the car had 2 owners a regular customer and another dealership, they also told me they change the battery but they failed to disclosed that they took the car to a body shop to fix a dent and to be repainted, by mistake they offered me the Toyota warranty 5 years or 60000 miles , on 8/10/25 while driving the car it caught on fire luckily nobody got injured , after putting the fire off the fire department told us the cause of it was an engine malfunction only after 4 months and with about 39000 miles ,from the pictures we suspect the fire started by the fuse box and now I'm looking for answers and who's responsible, the dealership, the previous owner or the manufacturer, the car got totaled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2025EngineFire reportedODI 11681493

Air bags

5 reports3 crashes
“ON APRIL 24TH, 2019, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS DAMAGED. DUE TO THE IMPACT ON THE CAR, THE AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY, YET THEY DID NOT. AS I WAS ENTERING THE CENTER LANE A CAR PLOWS INTO THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF MY CAR TEARING THE VEHICLE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11204702
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.