The Lemon Index2009 Dodge Charger.
The 2009 Dodge Charger is better than average by owner complaints: 36 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 65, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 15 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 175 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Dodge Charger 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 51K to 117K miles on the car (125 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 55K–124K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 70K–140K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 64K–135K miles
Recalls 6
- 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.
- 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.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER.
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 31 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering wheel returnability
- Drivers And/Or Passenger Front Power Door Locks And Windows Inoperative U0200 Lost Communication
- Steering gear honk, hiss or groan during low speed parking lot maneuvers
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 $3050–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
S10 appropriate handling-email from re problem with her 2009 Dodge Charger.
2009 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10325281
More owner reports
2009 Dodge Charger. Consumer states vehicle lost all power while driving
NHTSA complaint 10348769
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Charger reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 65; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (22%), electrical (22%) and steering (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Charger have?
6 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 Charger get?
15 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 51,000 and 117,700 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 125 complaints.
Does the 2009 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Dodge Charger have?
2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.1L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger 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