POLICE BRAKE FRONT PAD LINING LIFE AND NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Charger brakes problems
severe 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
2fires
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 31 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 13 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Dodge Chargers describe multiple unrelated brake system failures starting within the first 5,000 miles. The most severe complaints involve complete brake failure—solid, unresponsive pedals that leave drivers unable to stop, resulting in four-vehicle pileups and multi-car rear-end collisions at highway speeds. In at least one case, brakes failed alongside a fire under the hood.
Rotor warping is the second dominant pattern. Owners report loud squealing, steering-wheel shudder during braking, and 1/8-inch-deep grooves forming by 500 to 8,200 miles, even on vehicles driven carefully. Dealers resurface rotors repeatedly, but the problem returns within weeks or months. One owner had rotors turned at 20,000 miles and needed them again by 9,800 miles.
The ABS control module fails intermittently, lighting up warning lamps for ABS, traction control, and EPS. Rear brakes lock abnormally, sometimes causing loss of vehicle control. Chrysler issued recall 06V493000 for the ABS module software, but many owners report their VINs were excluded despite experiencing identical lock-up failures.
Dealers acknowledge these issues in service records and TSBs (TSB 05-001-07 for rotor problems exists) but deny warranty coverage, blame owner driving habits or road conditions, or claim the symptoms are "typical" for the model. Multiple owners describe repeated visits to dealers with no permanent fix and eventual abandonment of warranty claims due to frustration.
Same Dodge Charger brakes reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Brake system hydraulic failure—total loss of braking
Brake pedal becomes rock-solid and unresponsive; vehicle does not decelerate or stops only after multiple brake applications. Incidents involve no braking force at critical moments (traffic light approach, freeway merge, low-speed stops).
When: Early ownership (5K miles, 10K miles reported); no clear pattern across mileage range
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal solid/immovable; Complete loss of stopping ability; Vehicle continues forward despite pedal depression; Requires multiple brake attempts to stop
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 06V493000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; ABS CONTROL MODULE)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate in some cases; ABS module replacement performed in at least one documented case; fuse box failure cited in one instance; no effective repairs reported by owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 06V493000 issued for ABS control module software affecting rear brake locking; however, multiple owners reported VINs were excluded from recall coverage despite identical symptoms
Rotor warping and premature wear—squealing and shaking
Rotors warp or groove excessively from new, causing brake squeal, steering-wheel shudder during braking, and rapid pad wear. Occurs at very low mileage; resurfacing provides only temporary relief (weeks to months before recurrence).
When: As early as 95 miles and 500 miles; consistent failures by 8K–20K miles; some failures at 36K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squealing from brakes; Steering wheel shakes/shudders when braking; Brake pedal pulsates; Rotor grooves visible (1/8 inch depth reported); Rapid brake pad wear
Codes mentioned: TSB 05-001-07 (rotor/pad issue on HD brake system; denied to owners due to sales-code mismatch)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers turned/resurfaced rotors and replaced pads repeatedly; aftermarket rotors and pads installed by owner did not resolve issue; some dealers refused warranty coverage citing heat or road conditions (gravel, rocks)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 05-001-07 exists but Chrysler denied applicability to some vehicles due to sales-code discrepancies; dealers advised only temporary fixes under warranty; owner complaints indicate manufacturer awareness but no permanent design correction implemented
ABS control module malfunction—warning lights and rear brake lock-up
ABS module fails, triggering warning lights (ABS, traction control, emergency brake, EPS) and causing rear brakes to lock abnormally during braking events, especially in wet conditions or emergency maneuvers. Lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control and accidents.
When: Mid-life failures reported (36K–160K miles); some at low mileage (10K miles during rain)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illumination (intermittent or constant); Traction control or EPS warning lights; Rear brakes lock during normal or emergency braking; Vehicle pulls to one side during braking; Noise from brakes when ABS engages; TCS fails to disengage after activation
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 06V493000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT, MODULE), P-codes for ABS module malfunction (not specified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: ABS module replacement performed at dealer; vehicle left at independent shop without repair completion in one case; some vehicles not repaired due to parts availability or recall-exclusion issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall 06V493000 issued for software defects; however, owners report their VINs were excluded from recall eligibility despite experiencing identical failures; Chrysler customer service denied warranty coverage in at least one case
Brake noise—squealing unrelated to wear
Persistent brake squeal from new vehicle, present at low mileage (70 miles reported), unrelated to pad wear. Dealers dismiss as normal or typical for the model; attempted cleaning and pad replacement do not eliminate noise.
When: From purchase (70 miles); persistent at first service; complaint reported at 10K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud, continuous squealing from brakes; Squeal audible during light braking; Squealing recurs after dealer service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaned brake pads and rotors; no permanent solution offered; dealers stated noise is typical for Charger Daytona models and 'something owners have to live with'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealers did not pursue warranty repair
Vehicle acceleration when brakes applied
Vehicle continues to accelerate or does not decelerate when brake pedal is depressed at low speed. In one incident, smoke and fire resulted from the event.
When: 10–12 MPH low-speed incidents
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues accelerating when brake pedal pressed; Requires multiple brake attempts to stop; Smoke and flames from under hood (one incident)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed one incident to fuse-box failure; no effective repair documented
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Approaching traffic light transitioning from yellow to red, car is coasting at 20mph, proceeded to stop foot on the brake the brake was solid as the concrete pavement, the steering wheel could not move. The car did not stop proceeded forward hitting the car in front which was a fender bender, however total loss of a purchased brand new Dodge charger which had gone to the service center every…
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2007 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 31 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 10,044 and 90,099 miles, with the median around 36,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,044; a quarter make it past 90,099. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.