Dodge Challenger Best and Worst Years (2010–2023)
The Dodge Challenger years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, based on NHTSA complaint index scores of 100, 92, 85, and 77 and multiple do-not-drive airbag recalls. 2020-2023 rank as the best years with complaint index scores of 8 or lower.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2014Best 2020Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 14
- 2010–2023
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,550
- Recall campaigns
- 29
- Crashes reported
- 101
- Fires reported
- 49
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Challenger Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Dodge Challenger problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 299 | 10 | 4 | 6 ! | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 69 | 193 | 5 | 8 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 92 | 253 | 11 | 8 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2013 | Avoid | 77 | 179 | 6 | 10 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 85 | 149 | 16 | 5 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 62 | 126 | 16 | 3 | 5 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 46 | 78 | 10 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 31 | 49 | 7 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 54 | 75 | 9 | 2 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 38 | 59 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Best | 8 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 15 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Seat Belts | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 23 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 17 | 5★ |
Challenger years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Dodge Challenger Index 100 · 299 complaints · 6 recalls
2010 ranks worst of all Challenger years with a complaint index of 100 and 299 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 37% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 31,000. Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, along with electrical system issues around 48,000 miles. The year carries 6 recalls, 4 of them do-not-drive airbag recalls tied to inflators that can rupture.
2010 engine problems →2010 airbags problems →2010 electrical system problems →
2012 Dodge Challenger Index 92 · 253 complaints · 6 recalls
2012 has a complaint index of 92 and 253 complaints. Electrical System problems lead at 55% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 55,000, including reports of alternator-related issues covered by a recall. Airbags account for 19% of complaints with a median mileage of 35,578. The year has 6 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive airbag campaigns, plus an electro-hydraulic power steering recall shared with other model years.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →
2014 Dodge Challenger Index 85 · 149 complaints · 4 recalls
2014 has a complaint index of 85 and 149 complaints, with 16 crashes and 16 injuries reported. Electrical System complaints make up 44% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 41,000, followed by Engine issues at 28% around 36,500 miles. The year has 4 recalls, including one do-not-drive airbag recall and an alternator recall specific to vehicles with the 3.6L engine and 160 amp alternator.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →2014 steering problems →
2013 Dodge Challenger Index 77 · 179 complaints · 5 recalls
2013 shows a complaint index of 77 with 179 complaints. Electrical System issues are the largest category at 59%, with owners describing stalling, smoke, and fire incidents near a median of 46,000 miles. Engine complaints follow at 19%. The year carries 5 recalls, including 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls and the shared alternator/power steering recall affecting 2011-2014 Challengers.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →2013 airbags problems →
Most common Dodge Challenger problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System615 (40%)
- Engine332 (21%)
- Airbags236 (15%)
- Other186 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain161 (10%)
- Steering139 (9%)
- Brakes134 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires81 (5%)
- Fuel System79 (5%)
- Structure & Body73 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Dodge Challenger should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Challengers. These years have the highest complaint index scores (100, 92, 85, and 77) and multiple do-not-drive airbag recalls.
- What is the best year for the Dodge Challenger?
- 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are the best Challenger years, with complaint index scores of 8, 15, 0, and 23 respectively and far fewer reported problems than earlier years.
- Are Dodge Challenger airbag recalls a do-not-drive issue?
- Yes. The 2010, 2012, and 2013 Challengers each have 3 or more do-not-drive recalls, most tied to airbag inflators that NHTSA says can rupture and should not be driven until repaired.
- What is the most common problem area across all Dodge Challenger years?
- Electrical System complaints are the most common, accounting for 615 of 1,550 total complaints (40%), followed by Engine issues at 21% and Airbags at 15%.
- How many recalls does the Dodge Challenger have overall?
- Across model years 2010-2023, NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns for the Dodge Challenger.