The recall for the passenger airbag inflator was issued on july 1, 2016. It is now december 5, 2016 and there is still no remedy. It is unsafe to drive the vehicle and I am paying for a vehicle that can't be driven. I would like to be put into a new vehicle.
2009 Dodge Challenger airbags problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 36 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 36 airbags 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 Challenger in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Dodge Challenger airbag system shows serious defects across multiple failure modes. Owners cite a manufacturer recall warning that the driver-side inflator housing may rupture during deployment due to excessive pressure, with elevated risk in high-humidity environments—a direct threat in states like Texas. Two owners reported airbags that simply failed to deploy during crashes at moderate speeds (20–30 mph), resulting in injuries including a fractured nose, bruised arms, and shoulder damage to one occupant.
The Takata inflator recall (Campaign 15V444000, issued 2015) prompted widespread complaints about unavailable replacement parts. Owners waited 4+ months with dealers unable to provide estimated repair dates. The manufacturer stated parts were being "prioritized to high-humidity states," leaving other owners in limbo. Some dealers outright refused to repair vehicles, even those with active recalls. Several owners report the manufacturer has offered no remedy—no buyback, no loaner vehicle, no timeline. One owner noted paying insurance and loan payments on a car they cannot safely drive. A dashboard defect around the passenger airbag area was also reported, with cosmetic depression and deformation that concerned one owner about whether aftermarket dash covers would interfere with deployment.
Same Dodge Challenger airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Driver-side airbag inflator rupture due to humidity exposure
Driver-side airbag inflator housing may rupture during normal deployment, particularly in high-humidity environments. Fiat Chrysler issued a recall notification citing excessive or internal pressure as the root cause, with higher risk in humid climates.
When: During normal deployment events; more likely in high-humidity conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Risk of inflator housing rupture during airbag deployment; Increased probability in high-humidity environments
Codes mentioned: 15V444000, 18V021000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and manufacturer refuse repair; no solution provided despite recall notification
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Numbers 15V444000 and 18V021000 issued; Fiat Chrysler and dealers refuse to fix or provide remedy
Airbag non-deployment in crash events
Airbags failed to deploy during actual collisions, resulting in passenger injury. Two separate crash incidents documented where airbags should have activated but did not.
When: At impact speeds of 20–30 mph during crash events (mileages 23,000 and 52,000)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags failed to deploy on impact; Passenger injury sustained (fractured nose, bruised arms, shoulder injury in one case; injuries to occupant in other vehicle in another case)
Codes mentioned: 15V444000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle VINs included in recall 15V444000; no preventive repair performed prior to failures
Check airbag warning light illumination
Check airbag warning light came on and remained illuminated, or illuminated intermittently. One case reported light on for a few seconds then went out without repeating. One owner reported airbag light constantly illuminated.
When: At various mileages; one case at 5,000 miles; one at 104,000 miles; intermittent cases without specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Check airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Intermittent warning light behavior; Constant illumination in at least one case
Codes mentioned: 15V444000
Repairs/costs cited: Parts store diagnosis indicated driver and passenger airbags needed replacement in one case; light cleared in intermittent case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V444000 issued; parts unavailable for repair
Takata recall parts shortage and indefinite repair delays
Owners received recall notifications (primarily 15V444000, also 16V352000 and 15V313000) but replacement inflators were not available. Dealers could not provide estimated repair timelines. Many owners reported waiting 4+ months with no resolution or parts availability.
When: Recall issued July 2015 and later (16V352000 June 2016); complaints filed 2015–2016 with ongoing delays
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts unavailable; No estimated repair date provided by dealer or manufacturer; Multi-month waits (4+ months documented); Manufacturer stated parts prioritized to high-humidity states only
Codes mentioned: 15V444000, 16V352000, 15V313000
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners eventually had parts installed after months of waiting (one case January 2016 after 4-month wait); one owner paid independent shop for repair due to dealer delays
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued (15V444000, 16V352000, 15V313000); manufacturer cited parts prioritization to high-humidity states; no alternative remedy or buyback offered
Passenger airbag dash defect—depression and deformation
Defect in the dashboard cover area where the passenger airbag deploys, causing the panel to appear depressed and deformed. Owner raised concern that covering the defect with dash mats or covers may interfere with proper airbag deployment.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard depression and deformation at passenger airbag deployment area; Cosmetic defect suggesting possible structural weakness
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler/Dodge refuses to repair cosmetic defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refuses repair
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Dodge challenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v444000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Dodge challenger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v444000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts…
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the "check air bag" warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local parts store where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side and passenger’s side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 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 contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge challenger. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v444000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.…
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 Dodge Challenger?
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 airbags problem on the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 36 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 30,064 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2009/Dodge/Challenger.
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.