2018 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Dodge Charger has a complaint index of 28, ranking 14th worst out of 19 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It logged 122 complaints and 6 recalls, led by electrical system issues at 39% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 28/100
- #14 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 122
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2018 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System47 (39%)
- Other34 (28%)
- Structure & Body19 (16%)
- Engine12 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (8%)
- Brakes7 (6%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (3%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front control arms have broken while driving, in one case causing a crash into a highway wall at low mileage.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy fully in a crash, with only some airbags firing.
- Some owners report brakes failing to stop the vehicle even with both feet pressing the pedal, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Turn signal levers have snapped off in drivers' hands shortly after purchase.
- Uconnect infotainment units reboot on their own, affecting climate, radio, backup camera, and gauge displays.
- Front suspension components show excessive rust at very low mileage, with dealers declining to replace the affected parts.
2018 Dodge Charger recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V198000Mar 14, 2024Airbags284,982 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
- NHTSA 20V512000Aug 27, 2020Collision Avoidance & Cameras26,361 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.
- NHTSA 18V524000Aug 9, 2018Electrical System12,779 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
2018 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.
2018 compared with other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Dodge Charger reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2018 Charger has a complaint index of 28 and ranks 14th worst among 19 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What problems does the 2018 Dodge Charger have?
- The top reported problem area is the electrical system, making up 39% of complaints, followed by structure and body issues at 16%. Owners also reported suspension, brake, and transmission concerns.
- Does the 2018 Dodge Charger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Charger, covering airbags, a backup camera display issue in stealth mode, a powertrain control module replacement, a software flash, an incorrect transmission park lock rod, and a front driveshaft issue on AWD V8 pursuit models.
- How does the 2018 Charger compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 28, the 2018 Charger performs better than higher-complaint years like 2006 (94), 2011 (100), and 2012 (89), but not as well as the 2017 (22) or 2021-2023 model years, which earn Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Dodge Charger?
- The 2018 Charger gets 20 mpg combined (17 city / 26 highway) with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.