Dodge Challenger problems
0 safety recalls. 132 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND DUMPED ALL BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE.... WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WHEN LINE FAILED THANK GOD...
CHROME SQUARE RING AROUND PERIMETER OF CONSOLE SHIFTER-AUTOMATIC ON A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER, AT THE RIGHT HEADING, SUN IN FRONT OF YOU,COMING LIGHT THROUGH WINDSHIELD, REFLECTION FROM CHROME RING WILL MOMENTARILY BLIND YOU,OVERWHELMING,CANT SEE, I PUT A TOWEL AROUND IT. IT'S…
MANUEL TRANSMISSION GRINDS/HARD TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEARS. FEELS LIKE THE CLUTCH ISNT COMPLETELY DISENGAGEING AND IF YOU PARK WITH IT IN GEAR YOU CANT GET IT OUT OF GEAR TO PUT IT INTO NUETRAL,STICKS OR LOCKS IN GEAR. SOMETIMES DOUBLE CLUTCHING IT DOESNT HELP
I TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IS WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND THEREFORE THE BATTERY. THIS CAR HAD LESS THAN 40,000 ON IT AND THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT LATER MODEL DODGE VEHICLES HAD…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Dodge Challenger is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 36 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Challenger has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Dodge Challenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 132 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.