2011 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
69/100
#5 most-complained of 14 Challenger years
The 2011 Dodge Challenger has 193 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 69, and ranks 5th worst of 14 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems, mostly alternator failures, dominate at 53% of complaints, with 6 recalls including 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls.
- Complaints
- 193
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 24 hwy
Top 2011 Dodge Challenger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System103 (53%)
- Airbags35 (18%)
- Engine27 (14%)
- Fuel System18 (9%)
- Brakes17 (9%)
- Steering14 (7%)
- Other13 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (4%)
- Structure & Body7 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the alternator burning out, sometimes accompanied by smoke or flames from under the hood while driving.
- Some vehicles stalled suddenly and would not restart, with a burning odor and dashboard warning lights illuminating beforehand.
- Several complaints describe engine bay fires starting near the rear or front of the car, in one case at highway speed.
- Owners report frontal or side-impact crashes where airbags and seat belts failed to deploy or restrain properly.
- Steering locked up unexpectedly in at least one case, causing loss of control and a guardrail collision.
2011 Dodge Challenger recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
2011 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 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.
2011 compared with other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- Compared to other Challenger model years, 2011 ranks 5th worst out of 14 years with a Complaint Index of 69 and a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues, mainly alternator failures, make up 53% of its 193 complaints.
- What year Dodge Challenger should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index values of 100, 92, 77, and 85. The 2011 model is rated Caution, less severe than those four years but still elevated.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Challenger have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Challenger, including 3 do-not-drive recalls covering airbag wiring harnesses and airbag deployment issues, plus a non-do-not-drive recall for alternator replacement.
- What is the top problem area for the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 103 reports, or 53% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles and 5 fires reported in that category.
- How does the 2011 Challenger compare to the 2020 Challenger?
- The 2020 model has a Complaint Index of 8 and a Best verdict, far lower than the 2011 model's Complaint Index of 69 and Caution verdict.