2011 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Dodge Challenger has a complaint index of 80, ranking 4th worst of 16 model years, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 193 complaints, 6 recalls (3 do-not-drive), with the Electrical System accounting for 53% of complaints at a median 54,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 Challenger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 193
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Dodge Challenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report alternators burning out and catching fire, sometimes with visible flames or smoke under the hood while driving.
- Vehicles reportedly stall or lose power completely, accompanied by a burning odor and dashboard warning lights.
- Several owners describe smoke or fire appearing near the engine bay at low speeds, sometimes shortly after startup.
- In crash reports, airbags and seat belts reportedly failed to deploy or function properly during frontal or side impacts.
- Some owners report steering locking up unexpectedly during lane changes, leading to loss of control.
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?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 Challenger has a complaint index of 80, the 4th worst among 16 model years, so it ranks poorly compared to other Challenger years and carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, making up 53% of complaints (103 of 193), with a median failure mileage of 54,000 miles, often tied to alternator and wiring issues.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Challenger have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Challenger, including 3 do-not-drive airbag recalls related to wiring harnesses and airbag control units.
- How does the 2011 Challenger compare to other years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 80 is worse than most Challenger years; only 2010 (100), 2012 (93), and 2009 (87) rank worse, while 2020-2022 rate Best with much lower indexes.
- What is fuel economy like on the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
- EPA rates the 2011 Challenger at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.