Dodge Charger Best and Worst Years (2006–2024)
Avoid Dodge Charger model years 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014, which post the highest complaint indexes (up to 100) and multiple Do Not Drive recalls. The 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes as low as 6.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2006Avoid 2008Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2014Best 2017Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023
- Model years
- 19
- 2006–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,731
- Recall campaigns
- 47
- Crashes reported
- 247
- Fires reported
- 217
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Charger Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Dodge Charger problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Avoid | 94 | 1,294 | 21 | 12 | 5 ! | Fuel System | 19 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 72 | 554 | 18 | 17 | 5 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 18 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 83 | 609 | 24 | 22 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 56 | 174 | 9 | 4 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 61 | 232 | 14 | 9 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 695 | 25 | 64 | 11 ! | Electrical System | 20 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 89 | 648 | 20 | 49 | 14 ! | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 67 | 360 | 25 | 20 | 8 ! | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 78 | 343 | 41 | 8 | 9 ! | Electrical System | 21 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 33 | 136 | 10 | 1 | 7 ! | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 182 | 7 | 2 | 5 | Structure & Body | 20 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 22 | 128 | 3 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 28 | 122 | 5 | 1 | 6 | Electrical System | 20 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 44 | 120 | 7 | 3 | 5 | Airbags | 20 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 39 | 57 | 10 | 2 | 3 | Airbags | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 11 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 6 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 17 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 85 | — |
Charger years to avoid: what went wrong
2011 Dodge Charger Index 100 · 695 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2011 Charger has the worst complaint index of the whole model at 100. Electrical System complaints made up 69% of the total at a median 57,617 miles, with owners describing dashboard lights flickering and smoke while braking, plus headlight connectors melting. NHTSA lists 11 recalls including two Do Not Drive airbag campaigns and one alternator recall. Fires were reported 64 times, the highest of any Charger year, alongside brake failure and tire separation complaints.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 engine problems →2011 fuel system problems →
2006 Dodge Charger Index 94 · 1,294 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2006 Charger has a complaint index of 94, the second-worst of any year, driven mainly by fuel system issues (40% of complaints, median failure mileage 81,000) and engine problems (37%, median 88,486 miles). NHTSA lists 5 recalls, two of them Do Not Drive campaigns covering airbags. Owners reported brake pedals sinking to the floor without stopping the vehicle and a case of fire near the brake well. Transmission and electrical complaints round out the pattern.
2006 fuel system problems →2006 engine problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 Dodge Charger Index 89 · 648 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2012 Charger has a complaint index of 89. Electrical System issues account for 60% of complaints at a median 62,000 miles, again centered on melting headlight wiring connectors, some tied to a recall that many owners said did not cover their VIN. Airbags were 17% of complaints (median 60,306 miles), with owners reporting non-deployment in crashes. NHTSA lists 14 recalls, the most of any Charger year, including two Do Not Drive airbag campaigns.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 airbags problems →
2008 Dodge Charger Index 83 · 609 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Charger carries a complaint index of 83. Electrical System problems dominate at 65% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 99,150, including reports of wipers and headlights activating on their own and a power distribution box melting and catching fire. Airbags followed at 20% of complaints (median 92,500 miles), with owners describing airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. NHTSA recorded 5 recalls, two Do Not Drive campaigns for airbags, plus an ignition switch recall.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 engine problems →
2014 Dodge Charger Index 78 · 343 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2014 Charger has a complaint index of 78. Electrical System complaints lead at 34% (median 52,000 miles), including an interior fire reported while the vehicle was parked at a dealership. Engine issues followed at 24% (median 50,000 miles) and steering at 18% (median 69,310 miles). NHTSA lists 9 recalls, including a Do Not Drive airbag campaign, a powertrain software recall, and an alternator recall tied to reported brake and airbag failures.
2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →2014 steering problems →
Most common Dodge Charger problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System2,089 (36%)
- Engine1,346 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain792 (14%)
- Airbags776 (14%)
- Fuel System758 (13%)
- Brakes527 (9%)
- Other433 (8%)
- Steering408 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires245 (4%)
- Structure & Body224 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Dodge Charger should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes ranging from 78 to 100 and multiple Do Not Drive recall campaigns, mostly tied to electrical system and airbag problems.
- What are the best Dodge Charger model years?
- 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023 rate Best based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, with complaint indexes between 6 and 22, the lowest across all 19 model years covered. 2018, 2019, and 2020 rate Good.
- Is the 2011 Dodge Charger reliable?
- The 2011 Charger has the highest complaint index of any Charger year at 100, with 695 complaints, 64 reported fires, and 11 recalls including two Do Not Drive airbag campaigns, mostly centered on the electrical system.
- What is the most common problem with the Dodge Charger?
- Across all 19 model years, the Electrical System is the top issue, accounting for 2,089 complaints, or 36% of the 5,731 total complaints on file with NHTSA.
- Does the Dodge Charger have any Do Not Drive recalls?
- Yes. Several model years, including 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015, carry Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall campaigns, mostly related to airbags.