2013 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Dodge Charger has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 7th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical system issues dominate at 47% of complaints, with 8 recalls including 2 do-not-drive airbag campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #7 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 360
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2013 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags have deployed unexpectedly at low speed without a crash, in one case causing the car to hit a tree.
- Airbags failed to deploy during actual frontal or rear-end collisions, leaving occupants with head, neck, back, and leg injuries.
- Owners report sudden electrical shutdowns where the engine will not restart, paired with a burning odor and check engine light.
- Alternator failures have caused stalling, dashboard warning lights, unusual noise, and visible smoke while driving.
- Radio, lights, wipers, and horn have malfunctioned together and then returned to normal after the vehicle was turned off and on.
- One owner reported the remote starter activating the vehicle in park, which then moved and struck a pole.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Charger a complaint index of 67, ranking it 7th worst among 19 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Dodge Charger?
- Electrical system issues are the top problem area, making up 47% of complaints (169 of 360), with a median failure mileage of 56,000 and 19 reported fires.
- Does the 2013 Dodge Charger have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes, two of its eight recalls are do-not-drive airbag campaigns (18V021000 and 19V018000) related to side impact sensor calibration and airbag deployment issues.
- How does the 2013 Charger compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 67 is better than 2006 (94), 2011 (100), and 2012 (89), but worse than later years like 2017 (22) and 2022 (6), which earn Best verdicts.