2008 Dodge Challenger

Do not drive

Owners filed 10 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags4
000
Engine2
000
Electrical System2
010
Vehicle Speed Control1
100
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V352000Do not drive
Filed May 24, 20164,648,270 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.

Risk. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V444000Do not drive
Filed Jul 10, 201588,460 vehiclesChrysler (fca Us Llc)

Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R37.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch08V458000
Filed Sep 10, 20086,636 vehiclesChrysler Llc

Defect. CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PREVENTION." IF THE STOP/START BUTTON IS PRESSED AND HELD AND THE ENGINE TURNS OFF, THE ELECTRONIC KEY CODE IS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. SINCE THIS CAN OCCUR IN A TRANSMISSION OR GEAR SELECTOR POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK," AND THE TRANSMISSION OR GEAR SELECTOR DOES NOT BECOME LOCKED IN "PARK" AS A DIRECT RESULT OF KEY REMOVAL, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NONCOMPLIANCE MAY EXIST.

Risk. THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES VEHICLE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF CRASHES RESULTING FROM THEFT AND ACCIDENTAL ROLLAWAY OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE MODULE SO THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Mar 8, 2023OR

My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.

Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2020120,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STARTER, CRANKSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Engine
Filed Jun 16, 201757,427 milesCA

EXITING THE FREEWAY VIA OFF RAMP THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND JUST AS QUICK AS IT STALL IT STARTED BACK UP. THE WHOLE TIME IT WAS IN GEAR AND I NEVER TOUCHED ANYTHING. ABOUT A MILE PRIOR ON THE FREEWAY I SMELT GAS BUT ONLY FOR A MINUTE AND NEVER AGAIN. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES FROM HOME AND DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS OR THE GAS SMELL. I CHECK MY MENU FOR ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE SYSTEM SAID OK BUT AFTER I GOT HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE SYSTEM SAID WARNING CONTACT DEALER. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CALL STALL SUDDENLY. I DID SEE ON THE WEB THAT NHTSA HAS NOTED THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH SRT8 (V8) AND A WARRANTY ISSUE WITH THE GAS TANK NEEDING TO BE REPLACE. DOES OUR CAR FALL UNDER THIS?

Air Bags
Filed Apr 14, 2017MS

TAKING RECALL THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NOVEMBER LESS THAN 100 MILES WAS PUT ON IT RAN HOT THEN DOOR LOCKS WIDOWS STOPPED WORKING AIR BAG AND ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON 3 MECHANICS NO-ONE CAN FIGURE IT OUT THEN IT JUST STOPPED WORKING WANT CRANK OR ANYTHING BOUGHT FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO IS LEAVING FOR COLLEGE AND NO VEHICLE 7000 IN THE WHOLE AND NO-ONE WILL WORK ON IT . SO I NEED INFORMATION ON VEHICLE AND WHAT DO I DO.

Air Bags
Filed May 5, 2016AZ

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V444000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Mar 16, 201639,000 milesNV

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8 IN 2008 AND EVERY SINCE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. CHRYSLER WOULD FIX EVERY TIME SOMETHING WOULD HAVE PROBLEMS. AFTER THE FIRST MOTOR WENT OUT (DUE TO ENGINEERING OF THE 6.1L HEMI) CHRYSLER AGREED TO REPAIR. THE 2ND MOTOR THAT WENT OUT IN LESS THE 6K MILES ALSO STARTED AN ELECTRIC FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE, CHRYSLER REPLACED MOTOR. THE 3RD MOTOR WAS REPLACED ONCE MORE AT ABOUT 9K MILES BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND THE CAR ON CRUISE CONTROL UP SPEEDS. SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, THE SMELL OF FUEL IS STILL APPARENT WHEN FULL. CALLED CHRIS AT 855-778-8326 (CHRYSLER CORP) AND ASKED FOR A COMPLETE HISTORY OF REPAIRS AND WAS NOT OFFERED MUCH HELP. HE ENCOURAGED ME TO WRITE NHTSA.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 30, 201533,000 milesNJ

IGNITION LOCK WORKS ERRATICALLY AND BINDS. INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS AND PANEL LIGHTS. SOME TIME IT WILL NOT START, SOME TIME WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED THE CHIME WILL STAY ON AFTER WITH NO INDICATION OF ANY ISSUES, LIGHTS OFF DOORS AND TRUNK PROPERLY CLOSED. BECAUSE IT IS A COUPE MY MAIN CONCERN RIGHT NOW WINDOWS MUST WORK FOR DOORS TO OPEN. THIS IS AT A STOP. I START NOTICING ISSUES WHEN LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND HAS 33,000 MILES. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Nov 17, 2015CA

TAKATA RECALL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V313000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 13, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V444000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 31, 20091,900 milesTN

FAILURE TO PERFORM RECALL NOTICE BY MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR

10 of 10 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2010
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202341200Routine
20229200Routine
202119210Routine
202020110Routine
201959330Routine
201875420Routine
201749320Routine
201678220Routine
2015126630Routine
2014149550Do not drive
20131795100Do not drive
2012253680Do not drive
2011193680Do not drive
2010299740Do not drive
2009133740Do not drive
2008 — this page10310Do not drive

Compare every Challenger year →

Reading this record

NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive warning for a recall on this vehicle.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 24, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.