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2019 Dodge Challenger Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2019 Dodge Challenger carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering camera and instrument cluster/panel. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Back-up camera display malfunctions.” 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.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #20V191000 · Oct 9, 2020

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #19V203000 · Mar 14, 2019

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V32.

SERVICE BRAKES

Campaign #19V758000 · Oct 24, 2019

Issue: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles. An incompatible front wheel and brake package was installed and may allow the front tire to contact the steering knuckle, causing tire damage.

Risk: A damaged tire can suddenly lose air pressure and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wheels and inspect and replace the front tires, as necessary. In addition, dealers will inspect the wheel alignment, adjusting it if necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VB0.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 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

Back-up camera display malfunctions

BACK OVER PREVENTION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2025-12

“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera screen displayed a blue screen. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the back-over prevention camera was still enabled”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693663
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE BACK OVER PREVENTION IMAGE REMAINED ON SCREEN FOR UP TO 10 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11415235
“HAD VEHICLE IN REVERSE, PUT VEHICLE BACK IN DRIVE OR PARK AND REAR VIEW ASSIST CAMERA IS STILL SHOWING ON THE SCREEN FOR AT LEAST 10-12 SECONDS AFTER GEAR IS NO LONGER IN REVERSE. JUST GOT CAR IN JANUARY OF 2021, CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAPPENS. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11416706

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel and tire wear causing rubbing or separation

WHEELS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2023-11

“I had a flat tire while driving to work and was unable to pull over for about a few thousand feet. As the tire went flat I swirled into the grass on a street without a shoulder. The tire snapped off and was not locatable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11554767
“The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Challenger equipped with Goodyear tires. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the air pressure warning light would illuminate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449012
“WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION TO ITS FULL EXTENT, THE TIRES BEGIN TO SCRAPE AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MAKING A TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11307888

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shift and gear engagement failures

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2021-02

“I HAVE A 2019 CHALLENGER R/T WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT HAS A PROBLEM WHERE IT WILL POP OUT OF FIRST GEAR INTERMITTENTLY AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 7 TIMES IN THE 7 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11394591
“VEHICLE HAS SHOWN CODES ABOVE FOR 5 PLUS MONTHS. CODES CAUSE VEHICLE TO SHIFT BETWEEN GEAR RANDOMLY. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BUT PROBABLY WAS NOT RESOLVED; THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE SPEED SENSOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11386328
“VEHICLE STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT REAR ENDED. ENGAGED EMERGENCY FLASHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190666

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel locks or becomes difficult to control

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2023-08

“Power steering/rack and pinion. Yes. Power steering cuts in and out around corners and sometimes completely locking steering wheel with no control. When steering wheel locks up it’s you to lose control of car and could cause head on collision”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538514
“The dealer was able to reproduce the erratic behavior. They replaced the electronic power steering gear, the rack and pinion gear, inspected the entire vehicle and did not find anything else wrong, see attached service order”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11441164
“I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AND AS I TURNED TO MERGE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL. ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR I TURNED IT OFF AND ON AND IT SAID 'STEERING WHEEL MOTION OFF'”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11267536

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment and warning light malfunctions

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2024-06

“In accident airbag did not deploy and both driver and passenger were injured. Driver suffered head injuries and concussion”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11594558
“I was rear ended while traveling eastbound on US 175 ( C F Hawn Fwy ). When I was hit the impact pushed me alittle ways. The other driver was going pretty fast because I was hit hard enough to where the trunk of the car was pushed into the back seat of the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544895
“The contact's son owns a 2019 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked, and the steering wheel air bags emblem was not illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11536476

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine knocking noise and internal engine failure

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2024-09

“DROVE THE CAR 8 HOURS, SPENT THE NIGHT IN HOTEL; LEFT THE NEXT MORNING AND AT ODOMETER 1626 GOING 75MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE BLEW UP. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT SAFELY TO THE SHOULDER BUT ALL THE ENGINE OIL HAD COVERED THE ROADWAY AND METAL PIECES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11306904
“The engine just shut off. A check engine light came on and the dash said shift I to park to start. I was successfully able to get across 4 lanes of traffic to stop on the apron between o ram and side of freeway. When I shifted to park and to try to restart it would not start”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11548547
“THE PROBLEM FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THERE'S ALSO A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ITS EXACTLY LIKE THE FIRST ONE I HAD AND TRADED IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384621

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring and headlight failures

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2021-07 → 2026-06

“The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical box was melted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11579748
“My vehicle was parked in the driveway with a car cover over it and it caught on fire. The fire appeared to have started by the driver side headlight area and quickly ignited and burnt the whole front end of the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743380
“In my case, this short circuit is causing a fuse to melt. A fuse is a safety device designed to protect electrical circuits from overheating and potential fires by breaking the circuit when excess current flows through it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11534966

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

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

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

85 crashes 1990–2024

How the 85 occupant deaths break down

59

driver deaths

26

passenger deaths

85

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2019 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this 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 2019 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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