Research · Large Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2020 Dodge ChargerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints for the 2020 Dodge Charger. Most complaints involve air bags (36) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 15–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
15–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2024
Owner complaints
58
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

VisibilityReported Jul 8, 2021NHTSA 21V516000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

58 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags36
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Engine6
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Fuel/propulsion system3
  6. Seats2
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Visibility2
  9. Structure2

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
10
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

36 reports9 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who initially informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact was later informed that parts were available, but a technician was not available to perform the recall repair. The contact stated that later, while the vehicle was unoccupied, parked, and turned off in the driveway, the front passenger's side air bag unexpectedly deployed, causing damages to the upholstery. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. A second dealer, Arrigo Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Ft. Pierce (5851 US-1, Fort Pierce, FL 34982), was informed of the failure but did not return the call. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that an engineer would inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2026Air bagsODI 11746136

Electrical system

7 reports
“The A/C evaporator core in my 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat has failed twice within a short period of ownership. The first failure occurred at approximately 20K miles in 2022, when the air conditioning suddenly stopped blowing cold air. The dealership diagnosed a leaking evaporator core and replaced it under warranty. On [XXX] at approximately 50k, the exact same failure occurred again — loss of refrigerant and no cooling. The vehicle again required replacement of the evaporator core, a repair that involves removing the entire dashboard and is extremely labor-intensive and expensive. This appears to be a recurring defect rather than normal wear. I have learned that many other Dodge Charger and Challenger owners report identical evaporator failures, often multiple times, suggesting a possible design or manufacturing flaw with the HVAC evaporator used in these vehicles. Loss of A/C may seem like a comfort issue, but in extreme heat it can create a driver-safety risk due to overheating, window defogging problems, and driver fatigue. I live in Arizona where daytime temperatures regularly climb above 80 degrees, even in the winter. A major component like an evaporator…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11715643

Engine

6 reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power and the steering wheel would seize with no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle then the check engine warning light would be illuminated, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil temperature sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2025EngineODI 11635128
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 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 · 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged
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 4, 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 AWD
Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 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
152418$4,400500
Charger Widebody
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$4,400500
Charger SRT Widebody
Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
122115$5,300592
  • Charger
    Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    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
    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 · 24 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Charger Widebody
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.4 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Charger SRT Widebody
    Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, Sup Charg
    12 city · 21 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 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 4, 2026Vehicle 14270Vehicle 14233Vehicle 14271
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

2020 Charger questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Dodge Charger have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 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 2020 Dodge Charger problems?

Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (36), electrical system (7), engine (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Dodge Charger get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Dodge Charger at 15–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Dodge Charger?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Dodge Charger 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026