2020 Dodge Charger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#8 most-complained of 15 Charger years
The 2020 Dodge Charger has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 8th worst out of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 63% of complaints, with 3 recalls including a side curtain airbag inflator rupture issue.
- Complaints
- 57
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 15.5 city / 24.5 hwy
Top 2020 Dodge Charger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags36 (63%)
- Other10 (18%)
- Electrical System8 (14%)
- Engine6 (11%)
- Structure & Body4 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (7%)
- Fuel System3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
What owners report
- Side curtain airbags reportedly failed to deploy or malfunctioned during crashes at speeds around 12 to 40 MPH, in some cases with the vehicle striking a pole or wall.
- One owner described the knee airbag deploying during a head-on collision and preventing the driver from pressing the brake pedal.
- The electrical system reportedly caused the radio and dash gauges to reset to zero while driving, with one vehicle restarting and coming to a complete stop mid-drive at 3,450 miles.
- A sunroof glass reportedly shattered while driving on the highway at 72 mph after the sun shade was opened, at only 908 miles.
- The plastic belly pan reportedly scooped up water during heavy rain, tearing loose from the vehicle structure and dragging underneath.
- Tires reportedly developed cracks in the tread and grooves at around 10,000 miles.
2020 Dodge Charger recalls
3 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 21V516000Jul 8, 2021Visibility & Wipers21,258 vehicles
Visibility:windshield:critical fasteners
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
- 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.
2020 Dodge Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,175
- 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.
2020 compared with other Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Dodge Charger reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Charger a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 8th worst among 15 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 Dodge Charger?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 63% of complaints (36 of 57), with a median mileage at failure of 20,000 for the model year overall and 59,000 for airbag-specific complaints.
- Does the 2020 Dodge Charger have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 24V198000 covers 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles where the left and right side curtain airbag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
- What other recalls affect the 2020 Dodge Charger?
- NHTSA lists a windshield bonding recall (21V516000) covering 2020-2021 Chargers, Challengers, and Chrysler 300s, and a backup camera software recall (20V512000) tied to Charger Pursuit's stealth mode.
- How does the 2020 Charger compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2021 (14), 2022 (7), and 2023 (21), which are rated Best, but better than 2011 and 2012, which score 100 and 93 and are rated Avoid.