The Lemon Index2009 Dodge Challenger.
The 2009 Dodge Challenger is about average by owner complaints: 40 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 115, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 15 to 20 mpg combined. The best Dodge Challenger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 133 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Challenger year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 62K miles on the car (89 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 25K–68K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 30K–63K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 26K–82K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- equipment 2017
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf.
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
Show all 7 recalls
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- wheels 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE.
- tires 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 175 MY 2009 DODGE CHARGER, CHALLENGER, AND CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES.
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 46 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Manual Transmission Shifter Noise This bulletin involves greasing or replacing the manual…
- Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Car just stalls as if turned key off at erratic times.
2009 Dodge Challenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10351882
More owner reports
Vehicle has a severe throttle lad when in 4 to 6 gear when letting off pedal then returning back into throttle.
NHTSA complaint 10425957
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Challenger reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 115; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Challenger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Challenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Challenger get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Challenger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,600 and 62,200 miles. The middle report was at 30,200 miles, from 89 complaints.
Does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Dodge Challenger cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Challenger year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works