Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar® Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make a complete oil pan gasket. 5. Lay the oil pan gasket(s) onto the oil pan flange.~ 6. Ensure the oil pan gask
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Dodge Charger engine problems
severe 60 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
5fires
When does it fail?
Of the 60 engine complaints filed for the 2008 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 60 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 14 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 (5A580) Valve Body As per Warranty Bulletin D-13-22, please use R2108213A$ valve body for all Warranty (W), Mopar (M) and Mopar Vehicle Protection (F) claims.~ Assembly also includes Filter (52108325AA) and Gasket (52108332AA).~
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Dodge Charger shows a cluster of failures owners describe as design defects rather than maintenance oversights. The cooling-fan issue dominates complaints: electric fan blades separate, disintegrate, or fracture and puncture the radiator within seconds, often with a loud bang, causing immediate coolant loss and engine shutdown. Multiple owners report this happening a second time on the same car within one to two years. Dodge issued recall notification L08 for identical failures in 2006–2008 Chargers, but applied it only to certain sales codes and VINs—owners with identical failure modes outside those codes were denied coverage despite the defect being identical.
Engine problems are equally serious. Loud knocking, rod knock, and complete engine seizure appear across both 2.7L and 3.5L engines, sometimes as early as 24,000 miles. Owners cite repair shops finding rocker arm pins cracked so routinely that parts departments didn't need to look up part numbers. Warranty claims are systematically denied based on alleged sludge buildup, even when owners present maintenance records proving regular oil changes. One owner reported a pre-failure inspection showing adequate oil, contradicting the dealer's later claim of sludge-caused failure.
Stalling without warning occurs unpredictably and cannot be reproduced by mechanics. Recall notifications and TSBs exist for some issues, but parts remain unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners with non-functional vehicles and no repair timeline.
Same Dodge Charger engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Cooling fan blade failure and radiator damage
Electric radiator cooling fan blades separate, disintegrate, or break apart. Broken fan pieces strike and puncture the radiator, causing loss of coolant. Fan housing or shroud also damages radiator. Vehicle experiences sudden loss of cooling function, overheating, and engine shutdown. Owners report this happens without warning while driving or at idle with A/C running.
When: Variable; reports range from approximately 16,000 to 200,000 miles. Several owners report recurrence within 1-2 years of initial failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud bang, pop, or explosion noise from engine compartment; Radiator fan blades fractured or disintegrated; Antifreeze leaking from radiator; Smoke and steam coming from hood; Engine overheating; Coolant visible in A/C vents; Vehicle vibration and shaking; Sudden stalling while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of cooling fan assembly and radiator required. Owners cite repair costs ranging from $400–$571. Some report repeated failures within same vehicle, requiring multiple repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge issued Customer Satisfaction Notification L08 for 2006–2008 Chargers, but applied it only to certain VINs and sales codes. Many owners with identical failure modes reported VINs excluded from recall. Dealers advised owners the notification did not cover their vehicles despite identical defect.
Engine knock, rod knock, and internal engine damage
Loud knocking or knocking/ticking noise from engine, often described as rod knock. Engine develops bearing or crankshaft issues, requiring engine replacement. Failures reported on both 2.7L and 3.5L engines. Noise may be intermittent or continuous. Some owners report engine failure after hearing knocking for weeks.
When: Typically between 24,000 and 130,000 miles. One owner reported failure at 24,000 miles; another at 130,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking, ticking, or rattling noise from engine; Engine hesitation or poor acceleration; Engine stall or shutdown while driving; Oil sludge buildup (reported in multiple cases); No oil on dipstick or low oil level despite recent top-offs; Engine will not restart after shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. Owner estimates cite $4,000–$7,000 for engine replacement. Rocker arm pin cracks reported at approximately $800 parts + $1,200 labor. One shop found another Charger undergoing repair for identical rocker arm issue, suggesting high frequency.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty claims denied based on alleged sludge buildup, even when owners provided maintenance records showing regular oil changes. Dealers claim sludge caused failure; owners dispute this claim and cite lack of visible sludge at pre-failure inspection.
P1004 short runner valve and intake manifold code
Check engine light illuminates with diagnostic code P1004 (dealer-specific code). Issue traced to short runner valve and intake manifold problems. Owner characterized as widespread epidemic affecting 3.5L engines across multiple Chrysler models (Sebring, Charger, 300). Not covered under federal emissions warranty despite apparent emissions link.
When: Timing not specified by owner in complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; P1004 diagnostic code detected
Codes mentioned: P1004
Repairs/costs cited: Owner noted dealership did not estimate repair cost but confirmed the issue requires short runner valve and intake manifold work. No repair completed at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this is not a recall. Not covered under federal emissions warranty. Chrysler promised contact but owner reports no follow-up call received. Owner alleges Chrysler rushed 3.5L engine production.
Intermittent stalling and loss of engine function
Engine stalls unpredictably while driving or stopped. Vehicle loses all power without warning. Engine restarts after stalling. Problem occurs intermittently and cannot be reliably reproduced. Stalling reported at low speeds, during braking, acceleration, and highway driving. No consistent warning lights before failure.
When: Intermittent; owners report stalls occurring sporadically—ranging from once in several months to multiple times in short periods.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or shuts off without warning; All dash lights illuminate during stall; Fuel gauge reads zero during stall event; Vehicle able to restart after stalling; No warning lights illuminated before event; Occurs at low speed, during turns, after stop lights, during braking
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported cases. Owners report mechanics unable to diagnose issue because it does not occur during shop inspection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in these complaints.
Ignition switch failure and loss of engine function
Ignition switch malfunction causes engine to stall immediately after starting or while driving. Engine dies without warning. Owners report recall notices (P57 and R25) issued for this defect, yet dealerships report parts unavailable for repair.
When: Timing of failures not specified. Owners report recalls issued but not honored due to parts shortage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies immediately after startup; Engine dies while driving; Vehicle requires key-fob manipulation to restart; No warning before engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: No parts available for repair. Owners forced to temporarily mitigate issue by reducing key-chain weight on ignition key.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notices P57 and R25 issued. However, Chrysler/dealership reported parts unavailable and unable to provide delivery timeline. Owners describe this as unacceptable given safety-critical nature of loss-of-function defect.
AC refrigerant line failure and leakage
High-pressure AC refrigerant line splits or ruptures without warning, spraying refrigerant into engine compartment and cabin. Line discovered during routine engine cleaning to have abnormal wear and no protective covering.
When: Approximately 16,000 miles (at time of discovery and failure during test drive to dealer).
Symptoms owners cite: AC refrigerant line splits in half; Coolant sprays throughout engine compartment and cabin; AC system failure
Repairs/costs cited: AC system replacement required. Owner paid for repair but amount not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but declined to offer any assistance.
Oil sludge and crankshaft seal leaks
Oil sludge accumulation in engine and crankshaft seal leakage reported. Multiple oil leaks occur early in vehicle ownership. Vehicle exhibits multiple related electrical and comfort system failures concurrent with engine oil issues.
When: Approximately 3–4 months after purchase (vehicle had only 2 miles at purchase). Leak failure at approximately 7–8 months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine oil on crankshaft seal; Engine oil leak; Speedometer erratic (jumping 60–0 MPH); Jolt or pulling sensation while driving; AC not cooling properly and foul smell; Cruise control canceling by itself
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle voluntarily returned to dealer after 7–8 months of ownership. Owner reports some repairs were completed and some TSBs were applied while others were not found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No voluntary recall or buyback offered. Dealer later sold vehicle at loss; owner received deficiency notice of $7,500.
Radiator melting and puncture
Radiator melts and fractures. Plastic radiator fan also melts, puncturing radiator housing. Antifreeze leaks catastrophically. Same failure recurred on same vehicle at different mileage interval, suggesting design or material defect.
When: First failure at unknown mileage; second failure (recurrence) at approximately 157,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine compartment; Smoke coming from engine area; Antifreeze pouring from back of radiator; Engine overheating; Vehicle stalled due to overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator and cooling fan replacement required. Same failure recurred after previous repair, requiring second replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. Owner noted a TSB exists for this problem.
Whistling noise during acceleration (2.7L and 3.5L engines)
Whistling or high-pitched noise emits from powertrain/engine section during steady acceleration at moderate speeds (40–65 MPH). Noise occurs only during specific throttle conditions and disappears when accelerator is fully pressed or released. Reported as widespread issue affecting multiple Charger trims (SE, SRT, R/T) but with no documented cause or fix.
When: Timing of onset not specified. Characterized as ongoing issue affecting multiple vehicles.
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling sound during acceleration at 40–65 MPH; Sound only occurs during steady acceleration with moderate throttle; Sound disappears with full or released throttle
Repairs/costs cited: No fix available. Service centers unable to determine cause despite owner inquiries.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response. Service centers at dealerships unable to diagnose or repair.
Cylinder and piston failure
Piston failure in individual cylinders. Owner reports number 4 cylinder crumbled with piston rim 3/4 gone. Another owner reports number 3 cylinder piston failure at 130,000 miles. Metal fragments from piston failure distributed throughout engine.
When: 130,000 miles (one report); unknown mileage (second report with partial cylinder rim failure).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start or restart; Metal debris visible throughout engine after teardown; Piston rim severely damaged or missing
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. No repair cost provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response.
Check engine light and electrical system issues
Check engine warning indicator illuminates unpredictably. Owner received two recall notifications (14V567000 for electrical system and 15V313000 for airbags) but parts were unavailable to perform repairs. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall remedy.
When: At approximately 25,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminates repeatedly; Failure recurs multiple times
Repairs/costs cited: Recalls issued (14V567000, 15V313000) but parts unavailable. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Two recall notifications sent (14V567000 and 15V313000), but parts unavailable. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for remedy.
Catalytic converter failure and recurrent stalling
Vehicle stalls at highway speed. Catalytic converter diagnosed as requiring replacement. After repair, identical stalling failure recurs.
When: Approximately 165,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at 65 MPH without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replaced but failure recurred. Repair cost not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Hesitation, startup issues, and high fuel trim readings
Engine hesitation and intermittent startup problems. Vehicle throws no check engine light but OBD-2 scanner reveals long-term fuel trim at abnormally high 16.4 at idle. Problem persists despite owner research into fuel pump, IACV, and misfiring causes.
When: Timing not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation; Intermittent startup difficulty; No check engine light illuminated; High long-term fuel trim reading (16.4 at idle)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted. Owner unable to pinpoint cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Overheating and coolant/air bleeder issues
Vehicle overheats while driving. Diagnosed as coolant and air bleeder needing replacement. After repair, overheating persists.
When: Mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle overheats while driving at 65 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant and air bleeder replaced but failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Engine lifter failure
Loud abnormal noise emits from engine during driving. Diagnosis reveals engine lifters require replacement.
When: Approximately 26,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Extremely loud noise from engine at 40 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Both engine lifters replaced. Repair cost not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure.
Steering wheel seizure during driving
Steering wheel suddenly seized while vehicle was stopped at light. Coincident with radiator fan fracture. Vehicle did not respond to steering input.
When: Approximately 71,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from vehicle; Steering wheel seized without warning; Radiator fan fractured
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator fan repaired but failure recurred. Steering wheel seizure not explained.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified.
Electrical window and stereo failures
Passenger window intermittently fails to roll down, then operates normally. Stereo system fails to power on. Issues span multiple electrical systems on vehicle.
When: Window issue approximately 2 months prior to complaint; stereo issue immediately before warranty expiration.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger window malfunction (intermittent); Stereo system inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs attempted. Warranty expired 9 days after stereo failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
On christmas eve, december 24th 2012 at approximately 1:45 in the afternoon I was driving my 2008 Dodge charger on a busy intersection when all of a sudden I heard a loud banging noise from my engine compartment. After I heard the loud noise, my 2008 Dodge charger immediately stopped and shut off in the middle of the busy intersection nearly causing a chain reaction multicar accident. A local…
The engine just died while driving and wouldn't start up again.
Had engine trouble with your 2008 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 engine problem on the 2008 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 60 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,000 and 135,000 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 135,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2008/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.