2013 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
77/100
#4 most-complained of 14 Challenger years
The 2013 Dodge Challenger ranks 4th worst among 14 model years, with a Complaint Index of 77 and 179 NHTSA complaints. Electrical System issues dominate at 59% of complaints, backed by 5 recalls including 3 do-not-drive campaigns, making this year an Avoid relative to other Challenger years.
- Complaints
- 179
- Recalls
- 5
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
Top 2013 Dodge Challenger problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Electrical wiring or battery shorts can cause smoke or fire in the engine bay or trunk, sometimes while parked or driving at low speed.
- Owners report the engine stalling suddenly at low speeds, accompanied by smoke from the vents and failure to restart.
- Frontal airbags reportedly fail to deploy during low-speed crashes, including impacts with parked vehicles and trees.
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration events, including sudden surges to high speed after shifting into sport mode or seeing a dashboard warning light.
- A heater pump failure was linked to smoke and loss of acceleration in one case.
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 a good year to buy?
- No. NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 77 and ranks it 4th worst out of 14 Challenger model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Challenger?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 106 of 179 complaints (59%), with 9 of those involving fires and a median failure mileage of 46,000.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Challenger have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, and 3 of them are do-not-drive recalls covering airbags and an electrical/battery cable issue.
- How does the 2013 Challenger compare to other years?
- It has a Complaint Index of 77, worse than 2011 (69), 2014 (85 is close), 2015 (62), and much worse than later years like 2020 (8) and 2022 (0), which rank Best.