Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Dodge Charger problems

Owners filed 360 complaints about the 2013 Dodge Charger with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (167).

Complaints
360
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
20
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system167
  2. Engine50
  3. Power train48
  4. Air bags41
  5. Steering30
  6. Vehicle speed control24
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  8. Service brakes14
  9. Seat belts14
  10. Structure10
  11. Fuel/propulsion system9
  12. Suspension9
  13. Visibility/wiper4
  14. Latches/locks/linkages4

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 Nov 2, 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
20121
20138
201432
201553
201651
201767
201846
201936
202028
202116
20226
20234
20246
20253
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

167 reports2 crashes19 fires2 related recalls
“A few weeks ago I was traveling on unfamiliar curvy roads. It had recently rained. I fishtailed going through the curve, and my breaks locked up. Not long after I had the famous “Christmas Tree Lights” on my dash which are the ABS, Break, and FCW. Went to Advance Auto Parts to check code, and it was C2200-49. Took to dealership and paid $200+ to learn the same. They quoted $1955 alone for the ABS Control Module because the part was discontinued by Mopar in 2025. Took to an independent shop for a recheck, and they confirmed they could not fix it because they couldn’t guarantee an added part would work since they were discontinued. I haven’t driven the vehicle for a month, and I’m wary of buying a remanufactured part on eBay. I researched and found the code is a processor failure pandemic on 2011-2014 models, and there was a massive national level backorder even before the part was discontinued. Mopar & Dodge need to make this right with a safety recall. My research shows it is unsafe to drive! Please help!! A recall was issued for Dodge Ram Trucks! 2013 Dodge Charger SXT with adaptive cruise control should be added. Thank you for your time!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11755399

Engine

50 reports1 crash1 fire
“The "Vehicle Not in Park" warning message is a safety feature designed to prevent accidents and injuries. It's a standard safety feature in most modern vehicles, including the Dodge Charger. Here's what it's intended to do: When the vehicle is shifted out of Park (P) and the transmission is not fully engaged, the system will display a "Vehicle Not in Park" warning message on the dashboard. This message is triggered by the vehicle's Transmission Control Module (TCM) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, which monitors the vehicle's gear position and transmission status. The purpose of this warning is to alert the driver that the vehicle is not properly secured and may roll or move unexpectedly, potentially causing an accident or injury. This can happen when: The parking brake is not engaged: If the parking brake is not fully engaged or is released before shifting into gear, the system will detect this and display the warning message. The transmission is not fully engaged: If the transmission is not fully engaged in gear, such as when shifting from Park to Reverse or Drive, the system will detect this and display the warning message. The vehicle is not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2024Unknown or other, Engine, Back over preventionODI 11603558

Power train

48 reports6 crashes2 related recalls
“Power train, transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in park. The vehicle has been inspected. There are warning lights. They appeared 02/29/2024”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 4, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11575241

Air bags

41 reports11 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed; however, the dealer confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Air bagsODI 11760845

Steering

30 reports4 crashes
“While driving the vehicle the steering became very difficult, to the point I could not control my car and had to pull over. The steering seem to have locked up while driving. I had it towed to auto repair shop which I was advised I had to change the power steering pump. That's not in my budget.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2023SteeringODI 11551309

Vehicle speed control

24 reports3 crashes
“The abs module lights came on and is not functioning properly. I contacted the dealership and the part has been on back order for years. The abs light, traction, and brake light is on simultaneously. Subsequently my wheel is locked up causing my car to not move at all and brake pedal has no pressure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11675779
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 2, 2026

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