YearToAvoid

2019 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

38/100

#9 most-complained of 14 Challenger years

The 2019 Dodge Challenger has a Complaint Index of 38 and ranks 9th worst out of 14 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Challenger years. NHTSA lists 59 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive orders for this year.

Complaints
59
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
5 / 3
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2019 Dodge Challenger problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System19 (32%)
  2. Other14 (24%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (22%)
  4. Engine10 (17%)
  5. Steering8 (14%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain7 (12%)
  7. Airbags5 (8%)
  8. Brakes4 (7%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (5%)
  10. Fuel System2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a t-bone collision and rear-end impacts, at a median mileage of 4,884 for electrical-related failures.
  • Steering wheels reportedly locked up while driving on highways and city streets, sometimes displaying a 'steering wheel motion off' message, at very low mileage (around 600-710 miles).
  • Lower control arm and lower ball joint reportedly broke while driving, leading to a collision and loss of vehicle control.
  • Owners reported transmission malfunction warnings and the vehicle stopping in traffic shortly after purchase, with one incident occurring at only 300 miles.
  • Tires reportedly scraped against the vehicle body when turning the steering wheel to full extent, pointing to a wheel/tire fitment issue.
  • Steering knuckle wear reportedly damaged tires and caused an abnormal noise and overheating instrument panel while turning.
2019 Dodge Challenger complaints: complaints filed per month6Mar 2019Feb 2020Dec 2020Jul 2021Mar 2023Nov 2023Oct 2024Oct 2025
87 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2020 (6).

2019 Dodge Challenger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V191000Sep 10, 2020Collision Avoidance & Cameras319,610 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

  2. NHTSA 19V758000Oct 24, 2019Brakes173 vehicles

    Service brakes

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles. An incompatible front wheel and brake package was installed and may allow the front tire to contact the steering knuckle, causing tire damage.

    Risk: A damaged tire can suddenly lose air pressure and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wheels and inspect and replace the front tires, as necessary. In addition, dealers will inspect the wheel alignment, adjusting it if necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VB0.

  3. NHTSA 19V203000Mar 14, 2019Electrical System7,929 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

    Risk: Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V32.

2019 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
23.5 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.

2019 compared with other Challenger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good3149318
2018Caution5475318
2019Good3859318
2020Best820117.5
2021Best1519217.5

All Dodge Challenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Relative to other Challenger model years, 2019 is rated "Good," with a Complaint Index of 38 and a rank of 9th worst out of 14 years tracked. NHTSA recorded 59 complaints and 3 recalls for this year.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Dodge Challenger?
The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 32% of complaints (19 of 59), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 22% and Engine issues at 17%.
Does the 2019 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: one for an incompatible front wheel and brake package (campaign 19V758000), one for an instrument cluster display issue (19V203000), and one for a radio display software update (20V191000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2019 Challenger compare to other years?
The 2019 model's Complaint Index of 38 is well below the worst year, 2010, which has an index of 100. Years 2020-2023 score even lower, with the 2022 model at a Complaint Index of 0.
Did owners report airbag problems in the 2019 Challenger?
Yes, Airbags account for 8% of complaints (5 of 59), including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 4,018.

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.