2018 Dodge Challenger Electrical System Problems
The Electrical System accounts for 31 of 75 complaints (41%) filed on the 2018 Dodge Challenger, the highest share of any Challenger year in this dataset. Two related recalls (18V524000, 18V332000) address powertrain control module and software issues. Median mileage at failure was 5,050.
- Electrical System complaints
- 31
- 41% of 75
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 5,050 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Uconnect touchscreen repeatedly reboots or freezes, sometimes every 30 seconds, disabling the backup camera while driving.
- Instrument panel cluster goes completely dark while the vehicle is in motion, though the car keeps running.
- Power windows go up and down on their own or stop responding to the switch.
- Climate control panel lights up but the system does not actually engage heat or air conditioning.
- Battery repeatedly discharges on a lightly driven vehicle, requiring multiple dealer visits and a battery replacement.
- Headlights flash on and off unexpectedly while the vehicle is parked, in one case preceding a fire near the front passenger seat.
When 2018 Dodge Challenger electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 12, 2018, latest Sep 2, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2018 Dodge Challenger
- NHTSA 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Electrical System12,779 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
- 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.
Electrical System complaints by Challenger model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Dodge Challenger?
- NHTSA lists 31 Electrical System complaints out of 75 total complaints for the 2018 Challenger, or 41% of all complaints filed for that year.
- Is there a recall for electrical issues on the 2018 Dodge Challenger?
- Yes. Recall 18V524000 covers a powertrain control module replacement, and recall 18V332000 covers a related software flash on the powertrain/engine control module.
- At what mileage do these electrical problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2018 Challenger is 5,050 miles.
- Were there any crashes or fires linked to electrical complaints?
- NHTSA data for this component and year shows 2 crashes and 1 fire among the reported complaints, with no injuries listed.
- How does the 2018 Challenger compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- At 41% of complaints, 2018 has a higher electrical-complaint share than 2015 through 2017 and most years from 2019 onward, though lower than the 2011-2013 model years, which ran between 53% and 59%.