Research · Midsize Cars

2019 Dodge ChallengerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints for the 2019 Dodge Challenger. Most complaints involve electrical system (16) and wheels (11). The EPA rates it 17–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2020
Owner complaints
58
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Back over preventionReported Sep 10, 2020NHTSA 20V191000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles. An incompatible front wheel and brake package was installed and may allow the front tire to contact the steering knuckle, causing tire damage.

Service brakesReported Oct 24, 2019NHTSA 19V758000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Mar 14, 2019NHTSA 19V203000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

58 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system16
  2. Wheels11
  3. Steering8
  4. Engine7
  5. Power train7
  6. Air bags5
  7. Suspension4
  8. Exterior lighting3
  9. Vehicle speed control3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Challenger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200810
2009133
2010299
2011193
2012253
2013179
2014149
2015127
201678
201749
201875
201958
202020
202119
20229
202343
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

16 reports1 crash1 fire
“the car shot up in RPM would not slow down spinning tires while holding the brake hard. had to go in neutral and kill the motor, when restarted it would continue to do the same thing”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11745469

Wheels

11 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I had a flat tire while driving to work and was unable to pull over for about a few thousand feet. As the tire went flat I swirled into the grass on a street without a shoulder. The tire snapped off and was not locatable. I filed a police report and called the police at time of incident. The total damage on the vehicle was under $3,000 but because the tire snapped off and damaged the firewall Dodge stated that the vehicle had to be a total loss. This was a 2019 challenger there should be no reason for a wheel to snap off like such. After visiting several Dodge chat rooms I have learned that this is very common with the challenger and needs to be addressed with a class action suit and safety recall! This happens very often to Dodge challenger consumers”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 12, 2023Suspension, Wheels, Unknown or otherODI 11554767

Steering

8 reports1 crash
“Power steering/rack and pinion. Yes. Power steering cuts in and out around corners and sometimes completely locking steering wheel with no control. When steering wheel locks up it’s you to lose control of car and could cause head on collision. Yes I had dodge dealship diagnose and also independent mechanic. Manufacturer has not inspected. There were no warnings or any warning lights in car. Problem started about 3 months ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2023SteeringODI 11538514
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 6.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Midgrade Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Challenger
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
193023$2,800389
Challenger GT
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050415
Challenger
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162519$3,900466
Challenger
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$4,400498
Challenger
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,400494
Challenger
Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142317$4,700523
  • Challenger
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 30 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Challenger GT
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Challenger
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,900/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Challenger
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Challenger
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Challenger
    Man 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L
    14 city · 23 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Dodge Challenger 2 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 13552Vehicle 13551
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Challenger questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Dodge Challenger have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Dodge Challenger problems?

Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (16), wheels (11), steering (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Dodge Challenger get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Dodge Challenger at 17–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Dodge Challenger?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Dodge Challenger 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026