YearToAvoid

2021 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

15/100

#12 most-complained of 14 Challenger years

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

The 2021 Dodge Challenger ranks 12th of 14 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 15 and a "Best" verdict among Challenger years. It has 19 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.

Complaints
19
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
17.5
14.5 city / 23 hwy

Top 2021 Dodge Challenger problems

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

  1. Airbags4 (21%)
  2. Electrical System4 (21%)
  3. Engine4 (21%)
  4. Other3 (16%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (16%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (11%)
  8. Steering2 (11%)
  9. Fuel System1 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a highway hydroplaning incident and a collision with a deer.
  • One vehicle reportedly caught fire while parked at a standstill at around 16,000 miles.
  • Owners describe the transmission thumping or the car lurching on start-up, apparently tied to the push-button start system.
  • One owner reported the vehicle unexpectedly braked on its own (phantom braking) and pulled back during acceleration at 17,160 miles.
  • A seat belt was reported as slow to retract and eventually failed to extend to a safe length.
  • One complaint described a transmission dropping into neutral while pulling into traffic.
2021 Dodge Challenger complaints: complaints filed per month5Aug 2021Feb 2022May 2023Jan 2024Dec 2024Jun 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2021 (5).

2021 Dodge Challenger recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V664000Aug 26, 2021Electrical System135 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

    Risk: Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.

  2. 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.

2021 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.

2021 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
2019Good3859318
2020Best820117.5
2021Best1519217.5
2022Best09217.5
2023Best2342217

All Dodge Challenger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Among Challenger model years, 2021 has a low complaint index of 15 and ranks 12th worst (meaning it's among the better years), earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Challenger years.
What problems does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have?
NHTSA complaints cite airbags, electrical system, and engine issues most often, each accounting for 21% of the 19 complaints logged for this year.
Does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for insufficient safety indicator illumination requiring instrument cluster reprogramming, and one for improperly bonded windshields that could detach.
What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2021 Challenger?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 17,160 miles across reported complaints for this model year.
How does the 2021 Challenger compare to other years?
It has a complaint index of 15, far below older years like 2010 (100) and 2012 (92), and slightly above 2020 (8) and 2022 (0), which are the two lowest of the 14 model years tracked.

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.