2018 Dodge Challenger reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Challenger over 9 years — 11 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Challenger years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Front underhood wiring, Transmission control module, and Wiring.

2012 Dodge Challenger — Photo by Pierre André Leclercq, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (28 of 75), then Powertrain (8) and Steering (6). Those filings include 9 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Challenger has 49 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 58 complaints, 10 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Dodge Challenger. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (4)

Recall electrical system, wiring, front underhood wiring 2018-08-09 · NHTSA campaign 18V524000

Summary 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.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2018-07-12 · NHTSA campaign 18E053000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.

Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2018-05-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V280000

Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

Complaints by component (75 total)

Electrical system

Powertrain

Steering

Wheels

Air bags

Engine

Exterior lighting

Service brakes

Suspension

Visibility and wipers

Speed control

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Seats

Equipment

Fuel and propulsion system

Lane departure

Latches, locks, and linkages

Structure

Show 10 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The Uconnect HMI/touchscreen in my 2018 Dodge Challenger has visibly delaminated and developed severe phantom touch inputs. When powered on, the screen registers commands without any physical contact. The failed…"
Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-02
"Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-06-09
"The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic…"
Wheels · filed 2026-04-06
"I purchased the vehicle which had minor passenger door damage under $500. There were false reports on Copart and Autobidmaster about the vehicle. They lied and said the vehicle was 91.2 percent damaged. The businesses…"
Unknown or other · filed 2026-01-18
"The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the left turn signal light failed to function as intended. The turn signal light on the instrument panel was flashing…"
Electrical system · filed 2025-09-11

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Challenger	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	19	30	23 MPG	$2800
Challenger	5.7L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	16	25	19 MPG	$3900
Challenger	5.7L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	23	18 MPG	$4450
Challenger	6.4L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	25	18 MPG	$4450
Challenger	6.4L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	23	17 MPG	$4700
Challenger GT	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	All-wheel drive	18	27	21 MPG	$3100
Challenger SRT	6.4L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	14	23	17 MPG	$4700
Challenger SRT	6.4L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	25	18 MPG	$4450
Challenger SRT	6.2L, 8-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	13	21	16 MPG	$5000
Challenger SRT	6.2L, 8-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Rear-wheel drive	13	22	16 MPG	$5000

Specs and fitment

LC generation (3rd gen), 2012–2023

Body styles Coupe

Oil 5W-20 full synthetic (3.6L V6; Hemi V8 uses 5W-20 or 0W-40 per manual) , 7 qt capacity

Tire size 245/45R20 (many trims); staggered setups on wide-body and Hellcat models front / 245/45R20 (many trims); wider rear tires on staggered Hellcat and wide-body trims rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-280 covers certain 2018 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Durango, Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and Ram 1500 vehicles: an incorrect transmission park lock rod may allow the vehicle to move even when the shifter indicates Park. Dealers inspect and replace the park lock rod if needed. Recall 19V-203 covers certain 2019 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles whose instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings; dealers update the instrument cluster software.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Dodge Challenger Next year 2019 Dodge Challenger See every Dodge Challenger model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2018 Dodge Challenger been recalled?

The 2018 Dodge Challenger has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Dodge Challenger?

Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 2018 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Dodge Challenger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Dodge Challenger is 18.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

When did Dodge stop making the Challenger?

The LC Challenger was built through the 2023 model year for the US market.

What oil does a Dodge Challenger with the 3.6L V6 take?

US notes list 5W-20 full synthetic for the 3.6L V6; Hemi V8 grades can differ (5W-20 or 0W-40 per the manual).

What tire sizes does a Dodge Challenger use?

Many trims list 245/45R20; wide-body and Hellcat models use staggered setups that differ front to rear.