CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2017 Dodge Charger

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

128

Complaints

3

Crashes

3

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2017 Dodge Charger have filed 128 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2017 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 48 of them (38%). The typical failure was reported at 38,000 miles, the median across the 61 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (4)

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

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

18V281000 · May 1, 2018

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
The risk
If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 13,928 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:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

17V097000 · February 14, 2017

The defect
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
The risk
A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 69,298 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 128.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 48 38%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 31 24%
STRUCTURE 20 16%
ENGINE 18 14%
POWER TRAIN 17 13%
STEERING 8 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 5%
AIR BAGS 5 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 4 3%
SEAT BELTS 3 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 27.

2017 2021 2026
2017 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.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 injured · 4,900 miles

SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE MY CAR AND WHEN THE AIR WAS ON THE SMELL WAS COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I BROUGHT IT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SMELLED THE GAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. THEY PULLED UP MY BACKSEATS AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS THAT LEAKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND A FEW DAYS AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK WHEN I FILLED UP MY TANK AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THIS TIME IT WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. AFTER THAT 2ND REPAIR I GOT MY CAR BACK AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER AFTER I FILLED UP MY TANK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE 3RD TIME THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE GAS TANK. THE CAR STILL HAS A

NHTSA complaint 11046924, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 100,000 miles

I WAS ABOUT TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND AN 18 WHEELER ON HWY 231 SOUTH BOUND IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. I WENT TO GET OVER TO THE LEFT TO PASS, WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO HYDROPLANE AND SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. MY FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE IMPACTED THE BACK RIGHT CORNER OF THE 18 WHEELER. MY VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE, THEN UPSIDE DOWN. MY SIDE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY, BUT MY STEERING WHEEL NOR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE 18 WHEELER DID NOT STOP, MAYBE IT DID NOT FEEL THE IMPACT. IT WAS A WET AND STORMY MORNING ON 2/24/20, @ APPROXIMATELY 5:25-5:27 A.M.. THE REASON THAT I DID NOT PASS THE 18 WHEELER EARLIER WAS DUE TO STANDING WATER IN THE LEFT LANE. I WAS TAKEN TO BAPTIST SOUTH MEDICAL

NHTSA complaint 11312248, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

fire · crash

testetest

NHTSA complaint 11477075. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 25,000 miles

ELECTRICAL FIRE: OPENED CAR TO GO TO WORK IN THE MORNING 10/17/18 AND FOUND THAT INSIDE MY CAR IT WAS COVERED IN SOOT. THEN NOTICED ARM REST CONSOLE WAS MELTED AND UNDERNEATH WAS MELTED DOWN; EXPOSING WIRES. ALSO UPPER LIGHT IN TOP, FRONT, CENTER WAS MELTED (FROM HEAT). CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY OF MY HOME. THANKFUL WINDOWS WERE UP SO NO OXYGEN COULD FUEL THE FIRE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY CAUGHT THE HOUSE ON FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO DODGE WHERE THEY STATED AN INVESTIGATION HAS TO BE OCCUR BEFORE THEY WILL HELP US OR LOOK INTO WARRANTY (WHICH WE HAVE). CPSC: 11/6/2018 UPDATE *DT *JS

NHTSA complaint 11141349. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
Door trim panels are separated from the frame, I called the dealer and was told that I need to pay for this items, I see online this is a common issued with this vehicle.

NHTSA complaint 11756729. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
As I was accelerating out of a stop light on the morning of 7/24/2026, my check engine light came on seemingly out of nowhere. I was able to take the vehicle to an independent repair shop who identified the issue as the plastic oil cooler assembly on the vehicle being broken. My car's oil was completely empty and it would have been but minutes until the engine completely seized up. The oil had spilled into the motor and all other nearby parts of the engine. This puts my safety and others safety at risk because the car showed no other signs of an issue other than the light coming on. Had i not checked it in time, the engine could have seized up at high speeds causing a catastrophic accident.

NHTSA complaint 11752607, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

87,628 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making a clunking sound. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the rear draft shaft center bearing was not moving freely as the front shaft. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall and could not be repaired free of charge. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN should have been included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V281000 (Power Train); because of the similarities in the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report

NHTSA complaint 11750917, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Both the front door interior panels are warped. I had to glue them because they pulled almost completely off the door.

NHTSA complaint 11706968. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Screen is pushing buttons and overall not working. Turns on heat on seats and will not let me turn them off burning my back with prolong heat. Will turn off my heater and change settings while driving. Has pushed the emergency call button. Changes stations constantly. Doesn’t not allow gos to be used. Tried calling customer services multiple times and it’s is a known issue with almost all and they will not do anything. They pick and choose who’s to fix. Waiting to get a call from dealership if they will inspect it, but dodge will not cover anything they stated. It started very small with just a spot on the screen that wasn’t a big deal but once it started to progress it went fast and became

NHTSA complaint 11697177, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
While driving on the highway with my 14-year-old child as a passenger, the vehicle began shaking/jerking and losing power. I activated hazard lights and exited; the car continued to struggle and is now parked due to safety concerns. O’Reilly scan P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire). This occurred 12,703 miles after a dealer-performed tune-up (spark plugs x6) at Cable Dahmer CDJR (Kansas City, MO). Same-day after that service I returned, reported drivability issues, and the dealer claimed ‘no problem.’ In Feb 2025 they recommended spark plugs again; in March 2025 management emailed that my ‘tune-up appears it hasn’t been done yet’ (contradicting the invoice). The dealer now refuses to treat this as a

NHTSA complaint 11696128, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Charger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 26 2
2022 13 3
2021 32 2
2020 57 3 1
2019 120 5
2018 122 6
2016 182 5
2015 135 7
2014 343 9 2
2013 359 8
2012 648 14
2011 694 11
2010 232 6 2

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