YearToAvoid

2009 Dodge Challenger Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 27 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2009 Dodge Challenger, 20% of all 133 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 16 Challenger model years. These complaints report 1 crash and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 30,076 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
27
20% of 133
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
30,076 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Dodge Challenger transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 27, 2009, latest Aug 13, 2021.

2009 Dodge Challenger transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2009Jan 2011Mar 2012Jun 2014Feb 2016Nov 2016Aug 2017Feb 2020
27 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2009 to Aug 2021; peak Aug 2009 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2009 Dodge Challenger

  1. 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Challenger model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20080 (0%)
  2. 200927 (20%)
  3. 201036 (12%)
  4. 20118 (4%)
  5. 201217 (7%)
  6. 201316 (9%)
  7. 201412 (8%)
  8. 201529 (23%)
  9. 201616 (21%)
  10. 20175 (10%)
  11. 20188 (11%)
  12. 20197 (12%)
  13. 20203 (15%)
  14. 20213 (16%)
  15. 20221 (11%)
  16. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2009 Dodge Challenger, 20% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 30,076 miles.
Which Dodge Challenger year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2010 Dodge Challenger has the most transmission complaints (36), compared with 27 for the 2009.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Dodge Challenger concerns the transmission: 08V458000.

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.