Problems · by component

2008 Dodge Charger power train problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Charger cite power train, 6% of all 624 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
35
6% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, but was able to coast off the roadway. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle temporarily returned to normal functionality but was running abnormally. The contact stated that the failure recurred. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the PCM and the ignition switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V567000 (Electrical System) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 208,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2023Power train, Electrical systemODI 11537420
“The gas gage on the dash is not reading properly my car said I had 1/8 of a tank and then driving down the interstate my car dies in the middle of the road lights went out power steering”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2022Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11483171
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CEASED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. ADDITIONALLY, THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2021Power train, Electrical systemODI 11405854
“IT WAS A REGULAR DAY I TURN MY CAR OFF WHEN INSIDE MY CAME OUT 15MINS LATER THE CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH COMES ON BUT RADIO WON'T AND THE WINDOWS ALSO WON'T GO DOWN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2020Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11310906
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DECELERATED. AFTER AN OXYGEN SENSOR WAS INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS OR ACCELERATE ABOVE 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE OXYGEN SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEXAS DODGE (7800 I-40 FRONTAGE RD, AMARILLO, TX 79106, (806) 353-6343) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2018Power trainODI 11111200
“WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR SHUT OFF LOST POWER STEERING CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND IGNITION WAS STILL ON. TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART CAR RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH AND CUT OFF 4 TIMES THEREAFTER. DROVE A WEEK LATER AND SAME PROBLEM RIGHT BEFORE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2018Power train, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11080020

Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Power train: column shift

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER. THE GEARSHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET AND CAUSE AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT POSITION DISPLAY.

Power trainReported Nov 6, 2008NHTSA 08V583000

Power train: axle hubs

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 5,509 MY 2008 300, DODGE MAGNUM, AND CHARGER VEHICLES. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE WAS MISSED DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXLE HUB NUTS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALFSHAFT TO DISENGAGE FROM THE WHEEL HUB.

Power trainReported Jul 2, 2008NHTSA 08V295000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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