2011 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 Dodge Charger has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, ranks worst among 19 model years, and carries 695 complaints and 11 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive. Electrical System problems, including fires, dominate at 69% of complaints, making this year rated Avoid.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 695
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 64
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2011 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System481 (69%)
- Engine97 (14%)
- Fuel System87 (13%)
- Brakes83 (12%)
- Airbags52 (7%)
- Steering39 (6%)
- Other22 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain21 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (3%)
- Structure & Body16 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Headlight wiring harness connectors melt or burn, sometimes cutting off both low beams while driving.
- Instrument panel lights flicker and smoke appears from under the dash while braking, in one case leading to a rear-end collision.
- Speedometer readings become erratic along with intermittent air conditioner and radio malfunctions, traced to a vehicle computer issue.
- Brakes fail to stop the vehicle during a quick-stop attempt, with the anti-lock system not engaging and airbags not deploying in the resulting crash.
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed rear and side collisions, leaving occupants with injuries.
- A burning wire smell and smoke fill the vehicle from the rear, in one case escalating into a fire that spread through the cabin.
2011 Dodge Charger recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V018000Jan 15, 2019Airbags1,413,222 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 17V435000Jul 10, 2017Electrical System442,214 vehicles
Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
2011 Dodge Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2011 compared with other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Dodge Charger reliable?
- Compared to other Charger model years, the 2011 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall (1 of 19 years), so NHTSA data marks it Avoid.
- What is the main problem with the 2011 Dodge Charger?
- Electrical System issues dominate, making up 69% of complaints (481 of 695), including headlight harness failures, flickering dashboards, and reported fires.
- Does the 2011 Dodge Charger have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2011 Charger, and 3 of them are do-not-drive recalls related to airbags.
- At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Charger problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across reported problems is 59,750 miles, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 57,617 miles.
- How does the 2011 Charger compare to other years?
- The 2011 Charger's complaint index of 100 is higher than every other model year listed, including the 2006 (94) and 2012 (89), making it the worst-ranked year.