CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2017 Dodge Challenger

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

49

Complaints

7

Crashes

2

Fires

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Dodge Challenger have filed 49 safety complaints with NHTSA between September 2017 and September 2025. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 16 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 32,000 miles, the median across the 22 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

18V332000 · May 17, 2018

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
The risk
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 4,815,661 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

17V496000 · August 8, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles equipped with Hellcat engines. The engine oil cooler (EOC) hoses may fail resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.
The risk
If an EOC line fails, oil may spray onto the windshield or contact a hot surface, impairing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash or fire.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EOC lines, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T48.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 1,207 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

17V431000 · July 7, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 5.7L V8 engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission may not remain in the PARK position if that gear is selected, the engine is still running, and the driver exits the vehicle exited.
The risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission remaining in the PARK position and without the parking brake set, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module software, free of charge. The recall began 28, 2017. Owners may the Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T41.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 7,802 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 49.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16 33%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 33%
SUSPENSION 6 12%
ENGINE 5 10%
POWER TRAIN 5 10%
STEERING 5 10%
AIR BAGS 4 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 6%
STRUCTURE 2 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 10.

2017 2020 2025
2017 to 2025

In owners' own words

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

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph when the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a median which resulted in none of the air bags deploying. 2 people were injured and were sitting in the driver and front passenger side seat. The contact sought medical treatment and sustained whiplash, concussion, and fiancé sustained contusion on ribs, hematoma in the right knee, concussion, contusion on left thigh. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000

NHTSA complaint 11444613. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION:FRONT

1 injured · fire · crash · towed · 22,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 CHALLENGER RT WITH ONLY 22K MILES DOWN A CITY STREET. AND WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND MY FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP OR STEERING ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. CAUSING ME TO HIT A GATE AND A STREET AT A COLLEGE. SADLY I'M SUFFERING FROM A BROKE NECK, FEMUR, LEG, ANKLE, FRACTURED LUNGS AND RIBS, AND A RUPTURED VESSEL IN MY HEART. MY WHEELS WERE NEVER REMOVED FROM CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT ON 5/13/2020.*DT*DT*DT*JB*JB*JB*DT*DT*JB*DT*JB*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*AS*JB

NHTSA complaint 11337449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · crash · 26,000 miles

I WANTED TO REPORT THAT I WAS INJURED ON 10/6/2020. WHEN MY 2017 V6 CHALLENGER WENT OUT OF GEAR FROM "PARK" AND DRUG ME DOWN, AS IT ROLLED BACKWARDS (WHILE IN "PARK"). I SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES ALL OVER MY BODY. I WENT TO THE E.R. AND FOLLOWED UP WITH PRIMARY DOCTOR. I ALSO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ORTHOPEDIST. I AM WRITING TO URGE YOU TO PLEASE RECALL AND FIX THE 2017 V6 CHALLENGERS FOR PEOPLES SAFETY. I DON'T WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE.*DT*DT*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR*DT*DT

NHTSA complaint 11372675. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

My airbags failed to deploy in a head on collision with a jeeps enormous tail hitch that was shaped like a hook. This is definitely something worth looking into. My safety was compromised due to the airbags not deploying and because of this fault I’m experiencing neck/shoulder pain that I feel could have been prevented with the deployment of the air bags.

NHTSA complaint 11532511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The 8.4 Uconnect radio controls many aspects of the vehicle including hands free communications. When a communication device is paired to the system, at a random time, the device becomes unpaired and hands free communication becomes unusable. Additionally, at a random time, when the steering wheel communication button is pressed, the voice prompt announces "SIRI not connected". At that point, hands-free communication is not possible. It should be noted that SIRI is an Apple device feature. I have never used nor connected an Apple device to the system. The radio was dealership replaced in 2021 under partial goodwill coverage and partial cost to me. During my last dealership visit, I noted

NHTSA complaint 11689737, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
Dear [NHTSA / Indiana Attorney General], I am filing a complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my vehicle, a 2017 Dodge Challenger, purchased on [XXX] from Wetzel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Richmond, Indiana). Six months after purchase, the steering column failed, leaving the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealership confirmed the repair cost at $4,500 but refused assistance, and Stellantis has also declined support despite the fact that this is a critical safety component necessary to control the vehicle. This defect poses a significant risk of sudden steering loss while driving, endangering both myself and others on the road. I respectfully request that your office review this matter

NHTSA complaint 11684151, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
My Service airbag system light keeps coming on and I have done everything to fix it but the light still comes on.

NHTSA complaint 11677638. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2017 Dodge Challenger 392. my radiator fan motor seized, causing the fan blades to explode sending plastic pieces into the radiator and other fuel lines. The fuel lines were my biggest concern because of fire. however, it did not. Next the repairs at a certified Dodge dealership cost me over $5,500. in damages to repair. This is a very known issue with Dodge SRT models. Furthermore, not even a month later the other fan seized and exploded apart, once again causing complete failure of my 1 month old radiator, causing another $5,000 in damages to repair. THIS is a very well known issue on forums across the USA. Thank you

NHTSA complaint 11676473. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
8.4" touchscreen delaminating, causing ghost touches, which is changing my steering , timing, wipers, headlights, and suspension. The radio is going through stations, inputs, i can not use my android auto or use gps, all of my settings. It is very much a safety concern!

NHTSA complaint 11674937. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
The front suspension has a problem and the engine oil cooler has a leak

NHTSA complaint 11657907. 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
2016 78 1
2015 126 5
2014 146 4
2013 179 5
2012 253 6
2011 193 6
2010 298 7

Other 2017 Dodge models

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