YearToAvoid

2020 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2020 Dodge Challenger ranks 14th of 16 model years for complaints, with a complaint index of 13 and a Best verdict. It has just 20 complaints and one recall, making it one of the lowest-risk Challenger years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
13/100
#14 of 16 Challenger years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
20
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17.5
14.5 city / 23 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2020 Dodge Challenger problems

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

  1. Electrical System8 (40%)
  2. Engine6 (30%)
  3. Other4 (20%)
  4. Brakes3 (15%)
  5. Fuel System3 (15%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain3 (15%)
  7. Airbags2 (10%)
  8. Seat Belts1 (5%)
  9. Steering1 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)

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

What owners report

  • Some vehicles caught fire without warning while operational, with one fire reported at 2,000 miles.
  • Owners describe the vehicle suddenly powering off while driving, including one instance at 75 mph and another around 30 mph, sometimes with the instrument cluster going dark before the car restarts on its own.
  • The infotainment screen has been reported to flash and freeze as if shorting out, even on nearly new vehicles.
  • Drivers report the driveshaft or transmission behaving abnormally at very low mileage, in one case within 70 miles of purchase.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash despite dashboard alerts indicating deployment had occurred.
  • Some owners report the air conditioning stopping mid-drive and needing a vehicle restart to work again.
2020 Dodge Challenger complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2020Mar 2021Nov 2021Sep 2023Aug 2024Nov 2025
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Apr 2026; peak Mar 2021 (2).

2020 Dodge Challenger recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V516000Jul 8, 2021Visibility & Wipers21,258 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield:critical fasteners

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

    Risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.

2020 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14.5 MPG
Highway
23 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,575
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.

2020 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
2018Good4775318
2019Good4059318
2020Best1320117.5
2021Best2019217.5
2022Best79217.5

All Dodge Challenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Challenger has a Best verdict, the second-lowest complaint index (13) among all 16 model years with data, and only 20 complaints total.
What is the top problem area for the 2020 Dodge Challenger?
Electrical System issues lead with 8 complaints, 40% of the total, including one fire reported at a median mileage of 2,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 21V516000) covers a windshield that may not have been properly bonded during manufacturing; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Challenger compare to other years?
It ranks 14th worst out of 16 years, well below higher-complaint years like 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 93), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Dodge Challenger?
EPA rates it at 17.5 mpg combined (14.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,575.

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.