The Lemon Index2008 Dodge Charger.
The 2008 Dodge Charger is better than average by owner complaints: 51 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 53, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 624 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Charger year. 2008 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 60K to 128K miles on the car (404 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 72K–128K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 70K–126K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 77K–149K miles
Recalls 5
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- 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.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions.
Show all 5 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER.
- transmission & drivetrain 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 5,509 MY 2008 300, DODGE MAGNUM, AND CHARGER VEHICLES.
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 42 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Drivers And/Or Passenger Front Power Door Locks And Windows Inoperative U0200 Lost Communication
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
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
- ClosedPrndl misalignment2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
During low speed turns to the left or right (less than 30 mph) decelerating no brakes, the car will stall. This has occurred three times with different drivers. Dealerships can find no defects.
2008 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10396098
More owner reports
Plastic radiator cooling fan broke apart, shattering the fan blades, fan shroud and making numerous large holes in the radiator. Vehicle undriveable and repaired under warranty. Police vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10277128
The transmission after having fluids done twice keeps locking up into 2nd gear have to turn off car shift in park restart.
NHTSA complaint 10436131
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Dodge Charger reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), engine (25%) and electrical (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Charger have?
5 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 2008 Dodge Charger get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 60,000 and 128,000 miles. The middle report was at 91,800 miles, from 404 complaints.
Does the 2008 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Dodge Charger have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger year is better than the 2008?
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