The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Challenger

2020 Dodge Challenger.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 12 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 24, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 1 recall, and it gets 15 to 23 mpg combined. The best Dodge Challenger year is 2022.

24Lemon Index · 100 = average car

One of the most reliable. 4.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2022 · Worst year 2010

Dodge Challenger
Photo shows a 2019 Dodge Challenger. Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints12first 3 years
Fuel economy15–23 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 20 owner complaints, owners reported:

1crashes
0injuries
1fires
1tows

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical50%
engine25%
transmission & drivetrain17%
wheels8%
fuel or ev drive system8%

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.

Transmission problems in every Dodge Challenger year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 0K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 6K miles on the car (6 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

Recalls 1

  • visibility 2021

    During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Dodge told dealers about

Dodge sent dealers 321 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Intelligent Battery Sensor-IBS Installation, Battery Charging Message, Start Stop Charging…
  • CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B…
  • Power Window Regulator or Motor Owners may complain that the Driver and or Passenger Windows…

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.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2020 Dodge Challenger
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Challenger 2 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Dodge Challenger SRT 2 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Fuel cost and engines

About $2800–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.

In owners' words

While driving the air conditioning control’s stopped working. It required restarting the vehicle, to get it to work again . The air also started blowing out the defrost vents without being changed to blow through them.

2020 Dodge Challenger owner · NHTSA complaint 11543815
More owner reports

Car completely shut off while driving on the freeway at 75mph. Car completely shut off another incident on the street and another incident in a parking lot.

NHTSA complaint 11435601

Vehicle caught on fire while operational, in second the vehicle became engulfed in flames with no warnings.

NHTSA complaint 11383550

Quick answers

Is the 2020 Dodge Challenger reliable?

Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 24; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Challenger year by this measure is 2022.

What are the most common 2020 Dodge Challenger problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (50%), engine (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2020 Dodge Challenger have?

1 safety recall (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Dodge Challenger get?

15 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2020 Dodge Challenger safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2020 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2020 Dodge Challenger cost in fuel a year?

About $2800 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2020 Dodge Challenger have?

3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.

What Dodge Challenger year is better than the 2020?

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

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data