2013 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Dodge Challenger has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 179 complaints, 5 recalls (3 do-not-drive), with Electrical System issues making up 59% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #6 of 16 Challenger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 179
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 10
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2013 Dodge Challenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System106 (59%)
- Engine34 (19%)
- Airbags19 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (9%)
- Steering15 (8%)
- Brakes13 (7%)
- Structure & Body12 (7%)
- Other11 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (4%)
- Fuel System6 (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 electrical shorts near the battery or wiring that produced smoke and, in several cases, fires under the hood or in the trunk.
- Some describe the engine stalling suddenly at low speed accompanied by smoke from the vents, with the vehicle failing to restart.
- Multiple owners report frontal airbags that failed to deploy during low-speed crashes into other vehicles, trees, or fixed objects.
- A few describe unintended acceleration after shifting into sport mode or engaging the paddle shifters, leading to crashes.
- One owner reported the accelerator pedal sticking at 35 mph, preventing the brakes from stopping the vehicle before a crash.
2013 Dodge Challenger recalls
5 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.
2013 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 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.
2013 compared with other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- Compared to other Challenger model years, 2013 ranks 6th worst out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 67 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2009-2012 Avoid years but more than most years from 2014 onward.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Challenger?
- Electrical System complaints dominate, making up 59% of all complaints (106 of 179), including reports of fires and stalling, with a median failure mileage of 46,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Challenger have a recall?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Challenger, and 3 of them are do-not-drive recalls covering airbags and an electrical/battery cable issue.
- Are there airbag problems in the 2013 Dodge Challenger?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 19 airbag complaints (11% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles, and a do-not-drive airbag recall (campaign 19V018000) applies to this year.
- How does the 2013 Challenger compare to newer years?
- Newer years like 2020, 2021, and 2022 earn Best verdicts with Complaint Index values of 13, 20, and 7, far lower than the 2013 model's 67.