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severe 97 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Of the 13 model years of Dodge Charger we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 97.
This can result in a decrease of braking force and the potential for an engine compartment fire.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
POLICE BRAKE FRONT PAD LINING LIFE AND NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Brake issues dominate the complaint narrative for the 2006 Charger across all trim levels. Squealing and squeaking start as early as 1,500 miles and recur frequently even after dealers replace pads and rotors—sometimes within three weeks. Owners report rotors warping or grooving at 600 to 19,000 miles, well below typical service life. Steering wheel vibration and brake pulsation during normal highway driving are common, especially on descents.
Dealers consistently claim metallic brake noise is normal, cite passive driving habits, or tell owners brakes have failed the 12,000-mile warranty period—even when problems began and remained unrepaired within warranty. Several owners report paying out-of-pocket for repairs that fail to hold, then paying again.
More alarming are reports of complete brake failure (vehicle would not stop at 35 mph and 80 mph), brake lock-ups nearly causing collisions, and two incidents of brake fires traced to ABS system failure. One owner rear-ended another vehicle due to brake failure; another reported all four brakes overheating to white-hot during highway driving. Dealers have offered no effective remedy for any of these failures, and no manufacturer recall appears to have resolved the issue despite clear evidence of widespread defect.
Same Dodge Charger brakes reports on nearby years: 2007
High-pitched squealing or squeaking noise during braking, occurring from very low mileage (1,500–12,000 miles) and persisting or recurring after dealer service. Owners report squealing during light braking, at stop lights, and at various speeds.
When: Starting at 1,500–12,000 miles; some recur within weeks to months after pad/rotor service
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squealing or squeaking during braking; Noise occurs during light braking and at low speeds; Persists or recurs after brake pad and rotor replacement; Noise described as 'school bus' sound or loud screech
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers rotate pads, resurface or replace rotors, clean components; aftermarket ceramic pads (Hawk brand mentioned) attempted by some owners; issue returns within weeks to months after service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim noise is normal for metallic brake pads and post-asbestos brakes; refer to heavy-duty brakes or owner driving habits (passive vs. aggressive); no recall issued; TSBs mentioned but not detailed; some dealers cite NHTSA 06V149000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC)
Rotors develop warping, grooving, and pulsation at low mileage (600–19,000 miles), often despite new vehicle status or minimal brake use. Owners report brake pedal pulsation, steering wheel vibration during braking, and rotors requiring resurfacing or replacement well before expected lifespan.
When: Starting at 600 miles to 19,000 miles; first instances often within first 12,000-mile warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel and brake pedal vibration during braking; Pulsating sensation when braking, especially at highway speeds; Rotors showing grooves and gouging at very low mileage; Rotors out of specification or out-of-round; Shaking and vibration increasing with time and mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers resurface rotors (cost $200+) or replace with OEM rotors; some resurfacing attempts insufficient metal to safely machine; repairs often needed multiple times within first 27,000 miles at owner or partial dealer cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers initially dismiss as normal; claim caused by glazing, hot-puddle thermal shock, or passive driving; some dealers replace under warranty within 12,000 miles; warranty coverage ends at 12,000 miles despite problems continuing to manifest; no manufacturer recall; TSB mentioned by some owners
Brake pedal feels spongy or unresponsive, vehicle fails to stop within normal braking distance, and in severe cases, complete brake failure occurs at highway speeds. One owner experienced catastrophic brake failure (rear-ended another vehicle); another reported brakes slipping as if depressed fully with no stopping effect.
When: Mileage varies; one critical failure at highway speed (80 mph); others at 35 mph and standard braking situations; some relate to prior ABS failures
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal spongy or unresponsive; Vehicle does not slow or stop despite brake application; Pedal presses to floor without effect; Brake slipping sensation; Inability to brake on downhill descents; ABS and check engine warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: ABS system failures (fire marshal reported ABS system caused one fire), NHTSA 06V149000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) linked by owner and independent mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed defective brakes; dealer replaced brake light switch (ineffective); brake specialist advised brake replacement and rotor resurfacing; another shop found all four brakes 'white hot' due to ABS failure; one vehicle destroyed by fire
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership repair attempts unsuccessful; owner referenced to NHTSA recall 06V149000 but vehicle reportedly not included; no resolution provided in narratives
Brakes lock up unexpectedly or ABS fails to respond, causing vehicle to skid, pull left/right during braking, or lose traction control. One owner reported brakes locked up three times, nearly causing collision at 40 mph.
When: Varies; one at 40 mph during normal braking; another at 2–60 mph range; one at unspecified mileage (8,372 reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes lock up without warning; Vehicle skids or pulls sharply left or right during braking; ABS malfunction or failure to activate; Vehicle nearly skids into other vehicles; Traction control problems reported
Codes mentioned: ABS failure, Wheel sensor fault (dealer replaced but did not resolve)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wheel sensor on one vehicle; repair unsuccessful; another owner reported multiple lock-ups with no resolution after dealership and repair shop inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No effective factory resolution documented; one owner feared to drive the vehicle due to repeated lock-ups; no recall mentioned
Low-frequency grinding and rattling sounds from brake system during braking, distinct from squealing. Owners describe grinding at low mileage that persists or worsens despite dealer lubrication and cleaning attempts.
When: Within first few thousand miles (first couple thousand to 8,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise during braking; Moaning sound when braking lightly or in reverse; Rattling noises from brake system; Noise worsens over time despite early dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer lubricated and cleaned pads; did not resolve issue; grinding continued to worsen
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed noise was normal and posed no safety risk; refused further service
Brakes overheat to the point of smoke and flames during normal highway driving and mountain descents. One vehicle caught fire on the passenger side due to ABS system failure; another reported flames in the brake well after failed ABS.
When: Highway driving and downhill braking situations; one at 50,000 miles; one at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Burning fumes detected inside vehicle; Smoke and flames visible at brake area; All four brakes becoming 'white hot'; Vehicle unable to brake during overheat event
Codes mentioned: ABS system failure (confirmed by fire marshal and independent repair shop)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle destroyed by fire; another coasted into repair shop with flames; independent shop found ABS failure and overheated brakes; dealership provided no report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in one case; no factory remedy documented
Synthesized from 97 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 97 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
Across the 70 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 6,000 and 18,000 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 18,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.