YearToAvoid

2021 Dodge Charger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

14/100

#13 most-complained of 15 Charger years

The 2021 Dodge Charger ranks 13th out of 15 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 14 and a "Best" verdict. It has 34 complaints and 2 recalls, led by airbag issues affecting 44% of complaints.

Complaints
34
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18.5
15.5 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2021 Dodge Charger problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags15 (44%)
  2. Other5 (15%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain5 (15%)
  4. Electrical System3 (9%)
  5. Engine3 (9%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (9%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers3 (9%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
  9. Fuel System1 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Rear curtain side airbag inflators are subject to a recall, and some owners report the dashboard displaying an airbag system warning with no remedy yet available.
  • Some owners describe sudden loss of rear-end control while driving, with the steering wheel unable to correct the vehicle before it struck a guard rail.
  • One owner reported the vehicle stalling or failing to start repeatedly at only 256 miles, requiring dealer visits.
  • Rear control arms have broken and rubbed against the frame, producing a popping sound while driving.
  • Electric power steering has failed during a turn at highway speed, displaying an "Electric Power Steering Failure" message.
  • The rear backup camera has been described as too dark and unclear, especially at night, making it unreliable for avoiding collisions.
2021 Dodge Charger complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2021Aug 2022Sep 2023Aug 2024Apr 2025Apr 2026Sep 2026
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2023 (4).

2021 Dodge Charger recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2021 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.

2021 compared with other Charger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Caution57120520
2020Caution5057318.5
2021Best1434218.5
2022Best716318.5
2023Best2126218.5

All Dodge Charger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Dodge Charger reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Charger ranks 13th out of 15 model years, with a complaint index of 14 and a "Best" verdict relative to other Charger years.
What problems does the 2021 Dodge Charger have?
NHTSA data shows 34 complaints, with airbags making up 44% of them (15 complaints), followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 15%.
Does the 2021 Dodge Charger have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for side curtain airbag inflators that may rupture, and one for windshields that may not be properly bonded.
What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2021 Charger?
NHTSA data lists an overall median mileage at failure of 53,000 miles, though airbag-related complaints had a higher median of 101,000 miles.
How does the 2021 Charger compare to other years?
The 2021 Charger's complaint index of 14 is much lower than years like 2011 (100) and 2012 (93), which are rated "Avoid," making 2021 one of the better years for the model.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.