The Lemon Index2010 Dodge Challenger.
The 2010 Dodge Challenger is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 103 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 255, 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.
Lemon alert. 2.5× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 299 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Challenger year. 2010 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 7K to 66K miles on the car (210 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 17K–98K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 24K–66K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 10K–96K miles
Recalls 7
- airbags 2019
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
- steering 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES.
- electrical 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER 300, DODGE CHALLENGER, CHARGER, JEEP COMMANDER, GRAND CHEROKEE AND DODGE RAM VEHICLES.
- wheels 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE.
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 52 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
- NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…
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 $3200–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I came to a stop sign and made a stop. I went to accelerate and the car turned off. Had to stop the car completely in the middle of an intersection to turn it back on.
2010 Dodge Challenger owner · NHTSA complaint 10552798
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Dodge Challenger reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 255; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Challenger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2010 Dodge Challenger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), engine (29%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Dodge Challenger get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Dodge Challenger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,500 and 66,000 miles. The middle report was at 35,100 miles, from 210 complaints.
Does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Dodge Challenger cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Challenger year is better than the 2010?
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