2021 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2021 Dodge Challenger ranks 13th of 16 model years for complaint volume, with a complaint index of 20 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Challenger years. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 2 recalls, 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #13 of 16 Challenger years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 14.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2021 Dodge Challenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags4 (21%)
- Electrical System4 (21%)
- Engine4 (21%)
- Other3 (16%)
- Structure & Body3 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (11%)
- Steering2 (11%)
- Fuel System1 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a highway hydroplane impact into a guard rail and a deer collision.
- One vehicle caught fire while parked at a standstill at roughly 16,000 miles, with the fire department called to extinguish it.
- Owners describe phantom braking and unexpected pull-back during acceleration around 17,160 miles.
- The transmission has been reported to thump or lurch on start-up, and in another case the car briefly moved forward before dropping into neutral.
- A near-new Challenger reportedly suffered a catastrophic fuel pump failure under 1,000 miles, along with a freezing backup camera and unreliable door locks.
- A seat belt was reported as slow to retract and eventually would not extend to a safe length.
2021 Dodge Challenger recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- Among Challenger model years, 2021 has one of the lowest complaint counts, with a complaint index of 20 and a "Best" verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have?
- NHTSA complaints for 2021 are spread across airbags, electrical system, and engine issues, each accounting for 21% of complaints, plus structure, transmission, and steering reports.
- Does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for insufficiently illuminated safety system indicators and one for improperly bonded windshields that could detach.
- How does the 2021 Challenger compare to other Challenger years?
- It ranks 13th worst out of 16 years tracked, well below high-complaint years like 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2012 (complaint index 93).
- Did any 2021 Challenger complaints involve crashes or fires?
- NHTSA records 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries tied to 2021 Challenger complaints, with airbags being the top problem area.