2013 Dodge Charger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
79/100
#4 most-complained of 15 Charger years
The 2013 Dodge Charger ranks 4th worst out of 15 model years, with a Complaint Index of 79 and 360 NHTSA complaints. Electrical System issues dominate at 47% of complaints, backed by 8 recalls including 2 do-not-drive airbag recalls, earning it an Avoid verdict.
- Complaints
- 360
- Recalls
- 8
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 25 / 20
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
Top 2013 Dodge Charger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System169 (47%)
- Engine73 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain48 (13%)
- Airbags41 (11%)
- Brakes33 (9%)
- Other30 (8%)
- Steering30 (8%)
- Structure & Body16 (4%)
- Seat Belts14 (4%)
- Fuel System10 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags deployed unexpectedly at low speed without a crash event, in one case causing the driver to lose control and hit a tree.
- Airbags failed to deploy in moderate-speed frontal and head-on collisions, leaving occupants with head, neck, back, and leg injuries.
- Owners report the vehicle stalling and losing power shortly after shutting off, with a burning odor and the battery saver mode message appearing on the dash.
- Electrical system malfunctions include radio, lights, dashboard, wipers, and horn acting erratically before returning to normal or requiring an alternator replacement.
- Seat belts failed to retract and airbags failed to deploy together in a rear-end collision, resulting in injuries.
- Brakes reportedly failed to engage when applied, leading to a rear-end collision shortly after purchase.
2013 Dodge Charger recalls
8 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.
2013 Dodge Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 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.
2013 compared with other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Dodge Charger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Charger has a Complaint Index of 79 and ranks 4th worst among 15 model years, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Charger?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 47% of complaints (169 of 360), with a median mileage at failure of 56,000 and 19 reported fires.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Charger have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2013 Dodge Charger, including 2 do-not-drive recalls covering airbag defects.
- How does the 2013 Charger compare to other years?
- The 2013 Charger's Complaint Index of 79 is lower than 2011 (100) and 2012 (93) but higher than 2014 (86), 2015 (43), and later years like 2021-2023, which rank Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Dodge Charger?
- The 2013 Charger gets an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,100.