YearToAvoid

2017 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2017 Dodge Challenger has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th of 16 model years, earning a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 49 complaints, 3 recalls, 7 crashes and 2 fires for this year, with Electrical System issues the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
33/100
#11 of 16 Challenger years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
49
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
6
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2017 Dodge Challenger problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System16 (33%)
  2. Other16 (33%)
  3. Engine9 (18%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (12%)
  5. Steering5 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
  7. Airbags4 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body3 (6%)
  9. Brakes2 (4%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • A front wheel reportedly broke off while driving at low speed, causing loss of steering control and a crash.
  • Owners describe engine bay smoke and oil leaking from underneath the vehicle shortly after startup.
  • Some drivers report the transmission unexpectedly shifting gears or hesitating on the highway, forcing them to pull over.
  • Multiple owners say the vehicle rolled while shifter was in "park," including one case that caused injury.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal crashes despite significant vehicle damage and occupant injuries.
  • Owners report the trunk lid becoming inoperable, unable to open via key fob or interior buttons.
2017 Dodge Challenger complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2017Feb 2019Jul 2020Dec 2020Mar 2022May 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2017 to Sep 2025; peak Sep 2020 (3).

2017 Dodge Challenger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

    Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

  2. NHTSA 17V496000Aug 8, 2017Engine1,207 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.

    Risk: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.

  3. NHTSA 17V431000Jul 7, 2017Transmission & Powertrain7,802 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 5.7L V8 engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission may not remain in the PARK position if that gear is selected, the engine is still running, and the driver exits the vehicle exited.

    Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission remaining in the PARK position and without the parking brake set, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module software, free of charge. The recall began 28, 2017. Owners may the Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T41.

2017 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.

2017 compared with other Challenger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Caution60126518
2016Caution5378118
2017Good3349318
2018Good4775318
2019Good4059318

All Dodge Challenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 Challenger has a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th out of 16 model years and earning a Good verdict relative to other Challenger years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Dodge Challenger?
Electrical System issues make up 33% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 18% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 12%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2017 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Challenger, covering electrical software, engine oil cooler hoses on Hellcat models, and a transmission control module update for vehicles that may not stay in park.
How does the 2017 Challenger compare to other Challenger years?
The 2017 model's complaint index of 33 is far lower than the worst years like 2010 (index 100) and 2012 (index 93), which carry Avoid verdicts, though it ranks below the 2020-2022 Best years.
What fuel economy does the 2017 Dodge Challenger get?
EPA rates the 2017 Challenger at 18 mpg combined (15 city / 24 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450.

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.