2017 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2017 Dodge Charger has a complaint index of 22, the second-lowest among the 19 model years with data, earning a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 128 complaints, 4 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #15 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 128
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2017 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System50 (39%)
- Other31 (24%)
- Structure & Body24 (19%)
- Engine21 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (13%)
- Brakes9 (7%)
- Steering8 (6%)
- Fuel System7 (5%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe an electrical fire that filled the cabin with soot and melted the center console and dashboard light while the car was parked.
- Some drivers report the body control module failing and leaving the vehicle unable to start, with replacement parts on extended backorder.
- Owners report the engine oil cooler hose failing on Hellcat-equipped cars, sending smoke and oil out from under the hood while driving.
- Some report unexplained hard shifting shortly after starting to drive, which dealers could not diagnose with a trouble code.
- Owners describe the brakes suddenly engaging and stopping the car with no obstacle present, at both low and highway speeds.
- A fuel smell inside the cabin was traced to a leaking fuel pump pooling gasoline under the rear seat.
2017 Dodge Charger recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- NHTSA 18V281000May 1, 2018Transmission & Powertrain13,928 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
- NHTSA 17V496000Aug 8, 2017Engine1,207 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.
Risk: If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.
2017 Dodge Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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.
2017 compared with other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Dodge Charger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2017 Charger ranks 15th-lowest in complaints out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 22 and a Best verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What problems does the 2017 Dodge Charger have?
- The top reported problem area is the electrical system, accounting for 50 of 128 complaints (39%), followed by structure & body issues and engine problems, including a recalled oil cooler hose on Hellcat engines.
- Does the 2017 Dodge Charger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Charger, covering electrical system software, engine oil cooler hoses on Hellcat engines, and front driveshaft bolts/universal joints. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Dodge Charger should I avoid?
- Among Charger years, 2011 has the highest complaint index at 100 and is rated Avoid, along with 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014. The 2017 model year is rated Best by comparison.
- What is the median mileage for electrical system failures in the 2017 Charger?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 38,000 miles at the time electrical system complaints were reported for the 2017 Charger.