The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Charger · 2018

2018 Dodge Charger. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index97100 = average car
Complaints81NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold80,226U.S. model year
Per 100K sold101complaints
Year rank#11 of 17#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.6L 6-cylAuto 8-spdRWD19 / 30 / 23Regular$2,700
3.6L 6-cylAuto 8-spdAWD18 / 27 / 21Regular$2,950
5.7L 8-cylAuto 8-spdRWD16 / 25 / 19Midgrade$3,750
6.2L 8-cyl superchargedAuto 8-spdRWD13 / 22 / 16Premium$4,850
6.4L 8-cylAuto 8-spdRWD15 / 25 / 18Premium$4,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,600 and 46,100 miles. Median 28,800, from 60 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical39,0004,600–44,00018
Body structure34,20022,600–57,90012
Engine8,0005,100–19,3009
Transmission & drivetrain23,5002,000–90,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical33%
Body structure19%
Engine11%
Transmission & drivetrain7%
Wheels6%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
12251306

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 24V198000 Mar 2024 Air Bags / Side/Window / Curtain / Inflator

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

    Risk. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.

  • 20V512000 Aug 2020 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

    Risk. The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.

  • 18V524000 Aug 2018 Electrical System / Wiring / Front Underhood

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.

    Risk. A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

  • 18V332000 May 2018 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit with

    Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be d

  • 18V280000 May 2018 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.

    Risk. If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

  • 18V281000 May 2018 Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk. If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 267

Dodge filed 267 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Door Hinge Assembly Side door hinge noisy
  • ACTUATOR, A/C and Heater Before replacing HVAC actuator, please contact either Thomas Conway…
  • Transfer case seal, Transmission Output Seal If vehicle has a fluid leak between the transfer…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Dodge Charger Pursuit 4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2015545094,725Electrical
2016716895,437Body structure
2017575488,351Electrical
2018978180,226Electrical
2019484796,935Electrical
2020261977,425Airbags
2021262078,389Airbags

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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