2018 Dodge Charger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
36/100
#10 most-complained of 15 Charger years
The 2018 Dodge Charger has a Complaint Index of 36 with 122 complaints and 6 recalls, ranking 10th worst of 15 model years and earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Charger years. Electrical System issues lead at 39% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 122
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
Top 2018 Dodge Charger problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Front suspension control arms have broken while driving, in one case causing a highway crash at low mileage (2,200 miles).
- Owners report excessive rust eating into front suspension components on vehicles with as few as 1,200 miles.
- Uconnect infotainment units reboot sporadically, affecting climate controls, radio, backup camera, and gauges.
- Turn signal levers have snapped off in owners' hands during normal use shortly after purchase.
- Airbags have deployed inconsistently in crashes, with some airbags firing while others did not.
- Tire pressure warning lights flash persistently despite dealer refills, with no permanent fix provided.
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?
- Relative to other Charger model years, the 2018 is rated "Good," with a Complaint Index of 36 and 122 NHTSA complaints, ranking 10th worst out of 15 years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Dodge Charger?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category at 39% of all complaints (47 of 122), followed by Structure & Body at 16% and Engine at 10%.
- Does the 2018 Dodge Charger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2018 Dodge Charger, covering airbags, a backup camera stealth-mode issue, powertrain control module software, and transmission park lock rod and driveshaft problems.
- What year Dodge Charger should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 are rated "Avoid" with Complaint Index values of 100, 93, 79, and 86, all higher than the 2018's index of 36.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Dodge Charger?
- The 2018 Dodge Charger gets an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined (17 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.