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2018 Dodge Challenger Maintenance Schedule

Manufacturer-recommended service intervals for the Oil Change Indicator System and open recall alerts for your 2018 Dodge Challenger.

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Recalls4Full scheduleKnown issues7

How Dodge schedules service: Oil Change Indicator System

Dodge uses Stellantis' Oil Change Indicator — it watches engine load and duty cycle and messages when to change oil, capped at 10,000 miles or 12 months. Know your engine: the 3.6L Pentastar V6 goes 100,000 miles on plugs, while HEMI V8s carry sixteen plugs (two per cylinder) on a roughly 30,000-mile interval — that's a real cost difference at the service counter. HEMI models with MDS cylinder deactivation are especially sensitive to overdue oil.

⚠️

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Campaign #18E053000 · Dec 7, 2018

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs 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 within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

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.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #18V280000 · Jan 5, 2018

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Campaign #18V332000 · May 17, 2018

Issue: 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 within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

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.

Fix: 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 disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Campaign #18V524000 · Sep 8, 2018

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

🛢️

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Change Indicator)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the indicator says so — never beyond 10,000 miles or 12 months. Pentastar 3.6L: 0W-20. HEMI 5.7L: 5W-20 (0W-40 for 6.4L SRT). MDS-equipped HEMIs punish stretched oil intervals with lifter and cam wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

🔄

Tire Rotation

Every 8,000 mi

Rotate every 8,000 miles. Charger/Challenger R/T and Scat Pack: staggered-width setups can't rotate front-to-rear — budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

🛑

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads and rotors at every oil change. Heavy Durangos used for towing and hard-driven Chargers both run through rear pads faster than the front-pad-first rule of thumb suggests.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

⚡

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

HEMI 5.7L: sixteen plugs roughly every 30,000 miles — check your year's manual. Pentastar 3.6L (Charger/Challenger V6, Durango V6, Journey, Grand Caravan): 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

⚙️

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Grand Caravan/Journey (62TE): ATF+4 service every 60,000 miles in family duty. Charger/Challenger/Durango with the TorqueFlite 8-speed: no published normal interval, but specialists recommend service around 60,000-100,000 miles — sooner with towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

🔧

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

RWD Charger/Challenger and AWD Durango: replace rear diff fluid around 60,000 miles, sooner with towing or drag-strip duty. Limited-slip units need the friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

💨

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. HEMIs pull serious airflow — a clogged filter costs measurable power before it throws a code.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

🔗

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles, replace on cracking or glazing. On the HEMI, a shredded belt can take the cooling drive with it mid-drive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

🌬️

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped (behind the glovebox on most models). Some earlier Journeys and Avengers shipped without one — check before buying a filter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

🌡️

Coolant Replacement (OAT)

Every 100,000 mi

Stellantis OAT coolant is scheduled for 10 years / 150,000 miles; shops commonly refresh by 100,000. OAT-compatible coolant only — mixing chemistries gels the system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

🔋

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Big-audio Chargers and tow-package Durangos lean on the battery hard; weak batteries surface as gremlins in the electronics before they fail to crank.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Dodge Challenger.

🔎

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Uconnect touchscreen delamination and ghost touch inputs

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

16 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2025-06

“UConnect LCD Control Screen is completely on the fritz due to adhesive de-lamination. The screen will frequently and randomly ‘ghost touch’ itself to turn the heat all the way up, turn the media volume all the way up, call contacts, adjust the clock, switch screens…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11586790
“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the center master display screen started to randomly switch from function to function, and unintendedly started a telephone call…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11561160

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Uconnect screen freeze, blackout, and rebooting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-02 → 2021-04

“THE UCONNECT RADIO SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING IN THE CARS. AS SUCH, THE SYSTEM REBOOTS THE RADIO EVERY 30 SECONDS. THE RADIO CONTROLS THE BACKUP CAMERA AMONG OTHER THINGS…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11072242
“THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR NOW AND STARTED THE 2ND MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS 1 TO 2 TIMES A WEEK THE UCONNECT 8.4C NAVIGATION SCREEN WILL FREEZE ON THE SCREEN IT STARTED UP ON AND CAN NOT BE CHANGE…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11281483

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel blackout with erratic window operation

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-09

“On April 6, 2022 at approximately 2300 I was driving 65 mph on an old two lane highway when all lighting on the instrument cluster, steering wheel, touchscreen, kick panels, and both headlights went out causing me to drive off the road momentarily as I was in a curve…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11459948
“INCIDENT MATCHES: NHTSA 19V-203 FOR 2019 MODELS, HOWEVER THIS HAPPENED ON A 2018. WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, GAUGE CLUSTER WENT COMPLETELY BLACK, WINDOWS CRACKED OPEN AS IF DOORS HAD BEEN OPENED…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11459208

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel rim cracking and air loss

WHEELS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered cracks on the inside edges of the rims…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11729418
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS WERE CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO LEAK AIR…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11252236

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist loss

STEERING

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2021-07

“Backing out of the garage, instrument panel lit up with “Power Steering Assist Off - Service System” message. Car very difficult to turn now. Code scan shows code CC2217-00”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423301
“PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED FOR A SECOND AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH. A MESSAGE SAID "POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDS SERVICE". AT THE SAME TIME MY POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241245

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission lockup, stalling, and clutch failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2026-06

“Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743056
“MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHILE MAKING GEAR SHIFT CHANGE STARTED HAPPENING AT 19000 MILES THEN AT 25000 MILES THE CLUTCH SHATTERED INTO A 100 PIECES MAKEING A LOUD BANG AND NONE STOP CHATTERING…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11389347

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal collisions

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2019-04

“ON APRIL 24TH, 2019, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THE ENTIRE FRONT END IS DAMAGED. DUE TO THE IMPACT ON THE CAR, THE AIRBAGS WERE SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY, YET THEY DID NOT…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11204702
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE HOOD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162348

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

  • 2015 Dodge Challenger →
  • 2016 Dodge Challenger →
  • 2017 Dodge Challenger →
  • 2019 Dodge Challenger →
  • 2020 Dodge Challenger →
  • 2021 Dodge Challenger →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Jul 27, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Jul 27, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Dodge Challenger reflects Dodge's published service intervals and the Oil Change Indicator System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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