YearToAvoid

2008 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Challenger years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Dodge Challenger has 10 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 0 out of 100 — #16 highest of 16 Challenger model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is airbags (4 complaints, 40% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 fire.

Complaints
10
Recalls
3
incl. Do Not Drive
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 18 hwy

Top 2008 Dodge Challenger problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags4 (40%)
  2. Electrical System4 (40%)
  3. Engine4 (40%)
  4. Fuel System2 (20%)
  5. Brakes1 (10%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (10%)
2008 Dodge Challenger complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2009Nov 2015Mar 2016Apr 2017Mar 2020
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2009 to Mar 2023; peak Mar 2016 (3).

2008 Dodge Challenger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

    Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

  2. NHTSA 15V444000Jul 10, 2015Airbags88,460 vehiclesDo Not Drive

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R37.

  3. NHTSA 08V458000Sep 10, 2008Transmission & Powertrain6,636 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

    Chrysler is recalling 6,636 my 2008-2009 dodge challenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and "keyless go" option. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft prevention." if the stop/start button is pressed and held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than "park," and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in "park" as a direct result of key removal, it was determined that a noncompliance may exist.

    Risk: This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module so the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the "park" position. The recall began on september 15, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

2008 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$5,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Challenger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Best0103 !15
2009Avoid871337 !19
2010Avoid1002997 !18

All Dodge Challenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Dodge Challenger a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Dodge Challenger ranks #16 of 16 among Challenger model years (Complaint Index 0/100, verdict: Best). It has 10 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Challenger?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), and engine (4 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 39,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Challenger, most recently reported 2016, covering airbags and transmission & powertrain. At least one carries a Do Not Drive advisory.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Dodge Challenger?
EPA rates the 2008 Dodge Challenger at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.