The Lemon Index2011 Dodge Charger.
The 2011 Dodge Charger is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 307 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 357, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Lemon alert. 3.6× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 695 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Charger year. 2011 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 44K to 80K miles on the car (575 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 43K–74K miles
- lights complaints mostly came at 41K–70K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 51K–99K miles
Recalls 11
- 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.
- electrical 2017
The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator.
Show all 11 recalls
- airbags 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St.
- body structure 2016
When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
- airbags 2015
In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may …
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- lights 2014
In the affected vehicles, a sub-harness for the headlights may overheat and cause the low beam headlights to go out.
- airbags 2013
The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
- service brakes, air 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE CHARGER VEHICLES.
- brakes 2012
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 and 2012 DODGE CHARGER POLICE 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 152 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering Gears, Pumps and Hoses This tech tip applies to vehicles built before 12-23-2010,…
- New Safety Recall Advanced Communication ?
- MIL Illumination: P0300, P0302, P0304 or P0306 (X56 Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves…
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
- ClosedAlternator failure2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Dodge Charger 4 DR 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
The hid light on the passenger side has gone out again, I have replaced the bulb 3 times, this is the 4th time it has gone out, last replacement date is 06/19/2014. .
2011 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10667807
More owner reports
Battery saver mode code message came on. Radio shut off. Abs light flashed. Steering became rigid. Took to shop, alternator and battery needed replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10630739
I had to have the wiring harness for the headlight replaced, as the headlight would not work.
NHTSA complaint 10560379
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Dodge Charger reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 357; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2011 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (71%), lights (34%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Dodge Charger have?
11 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 2011 Dodge Charger get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 80,000 miles. The middle report was at 59,500 miles, from 575 complaints.
Does the 2011 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Dodge Charger have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger year is better than the 2011?
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