YearToAvoid

Dodge Best and Worst Years by Model

29 Dodge models, 51,853 NHTSA owner complaints and 407 recall campaigns for model years 2005–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Dodge models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

Verdicts are based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, compared within each model. This is not a reliability rating. How the Complaint Index works.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Dodge Durango2005–20257,194572005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 20142023, 2024, 2025Electrical System
Dodge Journey2007–20205,281262009, 2010, 2014, 20152019, 2020Electrical System
Dodge Ram 15002005–20145,574212005, 2009, 2012—Transmission & Powertrain
Dodge Charger2006–20245,731472006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 20142017, 2021, 2022, 2023Electrical System
Dodge Grand Caravan2005–20208,332352008, 2009, 2010, 20162018, 2020Electrical System
Dodge Challenger2008–20231,693332009, 2010, 2011, 20122020, 2021, 2022Electrical System
Dodge Ram2005–2011143112005, 2010—Engine
Dodge Caravan2005–20171,62472005, 2006, 2008, 20102014Electrical System
Dodge Dakota2005–20111,087152005, 2006—Airbags
Dodge Dart2012–20162,516112012, 20152013Transmission & Powertrain
Dodge Avenger2007–20152,579162008, 2012, 2013—Engine
Dodge Ram 25002005–20122,801162005, 20062010, 2011Steering
Dodge Nitro2005–20121,114112007, 2008—Electrical System
Dodge Caliber2006–20121,84882007, 20082012Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Dodge Magnum2005–20091,161132005, 2006—Engine
Dodge Hornet2023–2025527——Electrical System
Dodge Neon2005950——Engine
Dodge Stratus2005–20071383——Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Dodge Charger EV2024–2025613——Electrical System
Dodge Hornet PHEV2024511——Electrical System
Dodge Ram 35002005–20121,682272011, 2012—Steering
Dodge Journey AWD2009–20102581——Electrical System
Dodge Nitro 4X42007–20092440——Electrical System
Dodge Sprinter 25002005–2013137132006, 2008—Airbags
Dodge Nitro 4X22007–2009991——Electrical System
Dodge Caliber AWD2007–2008910——Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Dodge Durango 4X42007–2009890——Fuel System
Dodge Ram 55002008–201289122009, 2012—Steering
Dodge Sprinter 35002005–201289122006, 2008—Airbags

Dodge model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2005 Dodge Durango · 1,567 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  2. 2009 Dodge Journey · 1,433 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  3. 2006 Dodge Charger · 1,294 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  4. 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan · 1,292 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  5. 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 · 1,168 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  6. 2012 Dodge Dart · 1,081 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  7. 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan · 1,000 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  8. 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan · 995 complaints · 5 recalls Caution
  9. 2010 Dodge Journey · 988 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  10. 2007 Dodge Caliber · 884 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid

How we rank Dodge years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.