The Lemon Index2013 Dodge Charger.
The 2013 Dodge Charger is worse than average by owner complaints: 145 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 122, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 17 to 23 mpg combined. The best Dodge Charger year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 360 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Dodge Charger year. 2013 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 30K to 86K miles on the car (266 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 29K–75K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 37K–119K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 9K–100K miles
Recalls 8
- 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 8 recalls
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to …
- 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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
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 259 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Police Vehicle A/C Inoperative This bulletin involves relocating the A/C fuse within the front…
- 845RE Harsh 2-1 Downshift This bulletin involves replacing the transmission valve body
- Adaptive Cruise Control Sensor 1) If you are replacing this part due to the cluster displaying…
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
- ClosedVehicle rollaway, engine on2016
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 AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
180 amp alternator is defective. Died out after 2 years. Car died on freeway. Had to replace alternator. Mechanic said it was defective.
2013 Dodge Charger owner · NHTSA complaint 10875799
More owner reports
While driving down a state highway all warning lights came on ,windshields wipers, the heat full blast and then the car just died . Had nothing no steering no brakes no power .
NHTSA complaint 10920055
Dealer has no parts to fix defects in recall that had been out for months.
NHTSA complaint 10810642
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Dodge Charger reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 122; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Dodge Charger year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2013 Dodge Charger problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (52%), airbags (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Charger have?
8 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 2013 Dodge Charger get?
17 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Dodge Charger 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.
At what mileage do 2013 Dodge Charger problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 86,100 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 266 complaints.
Does the 2013 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Dodge Charger cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Dodge Charger have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Dodge Charger year is better than the 2013?
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