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Research · Large Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2018 Dodge ChargerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 122 owner complaints for the 2018 Dodge Charger. Most complaints involve electrical system (45) and structure (19). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Mar 2024
Owner complaints
122
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported Mar 14, 2024NHTSA 24V198000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Back over preventionReported Aug 27, 2020NHTSA 20V512000

Electrical system: front underhood

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

Electrical systemReported Aug 9, 2018NHTSA 18V524000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

122 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2018 – Apr 2026
  1. Electrical system45
  2. Structure19
  3. Engine11
  4. Power train10
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Exterior lighting5
  7. Suspension5
  8. Air bags5
  9. Wheels5

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 Charger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,294
2007570
2008624
2009175
2010238
2011695
2012648
2013360
2014343
2015136
2016182
2017128
2018122
2019120
202058
202135
202216
202326
20250
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

45 reports
“The unconnected touch screen spazzes out and I am unable to use it. I can’t even turn it off and the light flashing from it affects my eyes while driving at night.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11645097

Structure

19 reports1 crash
“I experienced an issue with the trunk lights on my 2018 Dodge Charger SXT Plus, which would not illuminate when the trunk was open. Additionally, the dashboard display failed to indicate that the trunk was open. This posed a significant safety concern, as the car allowed me to drive without alerting me that the trunk was open. Normally, when the trunk is ajar, the vehicle displays a notification and prevents the car from being driven without addressing the open trunk. However, with the broken latch, no such alert occurred, and the car could be driven with the trunk accidentally left open. Furthermore, the remote start feature, which typically only works when all doors (including the trunk) are closed, was compromised. The car could be remotely started via the keyfob regardless of whether the trunk was open or closed. This is a serious safety concern, as the vehicle could be driven or left running with the trunk open without the driver’s knowledge. This repair cost $301 to fix. Repair Details: Date of Repair: January 17, 2023 Description of repair from dealership: Trunk lights and dashboard indicator were non-functional, and no alert was provided when the trunk…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2024StructureODI 11614487

Engine

11 reports1 fire
“My safety & the safety of others was at great risk while driving my 2018 dodge charger sxt. While driving my dashboard lights went completely dark and the steering wheel locked. I was unable to move out of lanes threatening my life and the life of others around me. Independent mechanic put scanner in my car days later and code that appeared was “U0100 Lost Communication With ECM/PCM” I looked up my vin # on mopar.com and noticed my vehicle did have a “Important Safety Recall: Reprogram Powertrain Control Modulel””
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11615856
All 2018 Charger problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 6.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 8-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 Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Charger
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
193023$2,800389
Charger
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive
193023$2,800389
Charger AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050415
Charger AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, FFV · All-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050415
Charger
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162519$3,900466
Charger
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152518$4,400486
  • Charger
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 30 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Charger
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, FFV
    19 city · 30 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Charger AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Charger AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, FFV
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Charger
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,900/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Charger
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L
    15 city · 25 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12426Vehicle 12425Vehicle 12429
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

2018 Charger questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Dodge Charger have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2018 Dodge Charger problems?

Owners filed 122 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (45), structure (19), engine (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Dodge Charger get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Dodge Charger at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Dodge Charger?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Dodge Charger 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026