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Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2013 Dodge Challenger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

179

Complaints

6

Crashes

10

Fires

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2013 Dodge Challenger have filed 179 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2013 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 104 of them (58%). The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 110 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V018000 · January 15, 2019

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 1,413,222 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V021000 · January 9, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 328,177 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

17V435000 · July 10, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
The risk
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 442,214 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

14V634000 · October 8, 2014

The defect
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
The risk
If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 435,081 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

13V103000 · March 21, 2013

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2012, through January 24, 2013 and equipped with a V6 engine. The battery positive cable at the starter motor may experience an electrical short circuit to ground.
The risk
A short circuit could lead to a vehicle fire.
The remedy
Chrysler has begun notifying owners and they are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers. Chrysler Group further advises affected owners not to park their vehicles in, or near, any structures. Dealers will replace the under hood starter cable assembly, free of charge. The recall notification began on March 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Chrysler Group LLC · up to 4,051 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 179.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 104 58%
ENGINE 27 15%
AIR BAGS 19 11%
POWER TRAIN 16 9%
STEERING 15 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 4%
STRUCTURE 7 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2015 at 39.

2013 2015 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · 2,300 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHIFTED INTO SPORT MODE AND ENGAGED THE POWER SHIFTER SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AFTER THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. BOTH PARTIES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER

NHTSA complaint 10564050, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire · 14,800 miles

MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR GOING BACK TO COLLEGE ON THE I 49. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK. HE STOPPED, OPENED THE TRUNK AND IT WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY HE HAD A BOTTLE OF WATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. IN THE PROCESS HE BURNT HIS HAND (MINOR BURN). HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO SHOWED UP AND TOLD HIM THAT THE BATTERY OR WIRING HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A BATTERY MELTDOWN AND A FIRE IN THE TRUNK. HIS CLOTHES AND SPEAKERS WERE BURNT. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA LA. DODGE WAS CONTACTED AND SO FAR HAS DENIED ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS CAR IS ONE YEAR OLD. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE LAST YEAR. THIS MAY BE RELATED. I AM

NHTSA complaint 10562316, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed · 5,500 miles

SAW LIGHT ON DASH (ETC MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) AND NEXT MEMORY IS BEING AT HOSPITAL. DURING THE 60-90 SECONDS AFTER I SAW LIGHT WITNESSES WATCHED MY 2013 CHALLENGER R/T ACCELERATE UP TO HIGH 90S AND ULTIMATELY CRASH THROUGH FENCE AND INTO HOUSE. EDR SHOWS STEERING AT TRAFFIC CIRCLE BUT NO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT DURING LAST FIVE SECONDS. ENGINEERS SAY PROBABLE CAUSE IS MALFUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND POORLY DESIGNED BRAKE-THROTTLE OVERRIDE.

NHTSA complaint 10855717. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 25,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES TO THE LUNGS, LOWER BACK, RIGHT KNEE, AND A CONCUSSION TO THE HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA complaint 10906977. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am reporting a defect condition in a 2013 Dodge Challenger that appears materially identical to the condition described in FCA Emissions Recall UB4 involving the evaporative emissions canister system. See: [XXX] . The vehicle experiences severe difficulty during refueling. Fuel pump nozzles repeatedly and continuously auto-shutoff during normal fueling attempts, preventing normal refueling operation. An independent mechanic diagnosed the issue as related to the evaporative emissions canister / EVAP system. After disconnecting the affected component/system, the vehicle immediately resumed normal fueling operation without repeated pump shutoff. The symptoms and apparent defect mechanism

NHTSA complaint 11738277, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint 11728561. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driver & passenger door windows on many 2010-2017 Dodge Challengers activate repeatedly on their own during driving and after ignition is turned off causing the battery to completely drain overnight & sometimes after only one or two hours after the ignition is turned off. There was a TSB#23-039-11. This TSB does not apply to my 2013 Challenger. Parts are extremely expensive and the car leaves me stranded if parked only a couple of hours. During driving the cycling down and up causes danger as it appears the door wants to open on its own and making us have to pull over several times until we figured out it was doing it on its own as if it was haunted. No warning lights on my 2013 Challenger.

NHTSA complaint 11716732, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

On Saturday 1:20am 11/15/25 DRIVING 27 MILES FROM DISTANCE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTS QUICKLY POWER OUTAGES ON AND OFF INTERIOR LIGHTIN. dim headlights, or issues with electrical components. 11/15/25 A vehicle fire occurred, and preliminary investigations suggest a battery malfunction as the probable cause. The malfunction led to an uncontrolled thermal event within the battery system, rapidly escalating into a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Further analysis is underway to determine the specific nature of the battery failure and contributing factors.NO WARNING ADVISORY ON THE PRELIMINARY OCCURRENCE IT ESCALATED FROM FLASHING ON AND OFF LIGHTS AND

NHTSA complaint 11699878, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
* The ignition switch failed to release the key fob. I brought the car home after completing some repairs and sending the car through emissions testing to renew the plates. I made numerous attempts turning the car on and off and trying to get the key fob out of the ignition. The ignition off position would flash ACCESSORIES the same as the accessory position. I was concerned to leave the car as there maybe a short that would draw down the battery or worse ? I locked the doors and left the key fob in the ignition. * YES- available for inspection. * safety issue was is there an electrical issue that would start the car on fire ? * The diagnosis was done by my performance and high end

NHTSA complaint 11698630, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
At only 68,000 miles, my check engine light came on with code "P0456", which indicates that my Evaporative Emission System has a leak. These leaks lead to increased emissions and fuel loss. The solution is to replace the Emission System Integrity Monitor (ESIM). The life expectancy of this part is 150,000 miles. It should not leak at less than half its life expectancy. I contacted the local dealership and they reported that there isn't a recall on this part yet.

NHTSA complaint 11652597. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Challenger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 41 2 —
2022 9 2 —
2021 19 2 —
2020 20 1 —
2019 58 3 —
2018 74 3 —
2017 49 3 —
2016 78 1 —
2015 126 5 —
2014 146 4 —
2012 253 6 —
2011 193 6 —
2010 298 7 —

Other 2013 Dodge models

Durango 640 Avenger 548 Grand Caravan 470 Charger 359 Journey 352 Dart 274 Caravan 30

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles, 431 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst