Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Dodge Challenger engine problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 25 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 25 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 9 model years of Dodge Challenger in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 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.
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Dodge Challengers report two distinct engine-related failure patterns. The first stems from PCM software updates performed at dealerships (TSB 18-014-10 and TSB 18-021-09), which introduced 0.7 to 2-second throttle delay in gears 4–6. Owners consistently report dangerous merging conditions, unexpected power surges when the engine finally responds, and near-collisions. Dealerships documented the delay with data loggers; Chrysler engineers reviewed the data and stated the vehicle operates as designed with normal delay—no update was released to fix it.
The second and more serious issue is sudden, unpredictable engine stalling at any speed from 20 to 75 mph, often triggered by deceleration, road bumps, or braking. Stalls occur without warning codes; power steering and brakes become inoperable until the engine restarts. Some owners report 50-plus stalls on the same vehicle. Dealers consistently cannot duplicate or diagnose the problem.
A third failure affecting 2009–2010 automatics involves timing chain and tensioner fracture at highway speeds over 65 mph, often between 33K and 63K miles. This causes catastrophic engine damage and loss of steering control on the road. Chrysler issued Recall P01 for this defect, but some owners report repeated timing chain failures despite replacement engines with identical components.
Additional complaints cite loss of electrical power, transmission coughing with P0730 codes, and rough shifts causing traction loss.
Same Dodge Challenger engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Throttle lag and delayed throttle response after PCM flash
Dealership-performed PCM software updates (TSB 18-014-10, TSB 18-021-09) introduced a 0.7–2 second delay between throttle input and engine response, occurring primarily in higher gears (4–6). Owners report the delay causes unsafe merging, unpredictable surge when throttle finally engages, and near-collisions. Chrysler engineers have stated the delay is normal and operating as designed, with no corrective updates released.
When: After PCM flash update performed at dealership; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: 1.4 to 2 second delay between throttle depression and engine response; Intermittent throttle lag when merging or accelerating; Engine surge forward when throttle finally engages after delay; Unsafe response characteristics in gears 4–6 on manual transmission; Problem worsens when rapidly pulsing throttle with no response
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted reprogramming and consulted with Chrysler engineers; engineers claimed vehicle operating as designed. No resolution provided to owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler engineers reviewed data logger results and stated vehicle is operating as designed; delay is normal. TSB 18-014-10 (calibration ID 05187899AG) and TSB 18-021-09 implicated. Recall P01 addresses timing chain but not throttle lag.
Sudden engine stalling without warning at variable speeds
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly while driving at speeds ranging from 20–75 mph, often triggered by deceleration, coming to a stop, or hitting a bump in the road. Stall occurs without warning lights or diagnostic codes, though some report dashboard lights illuminate during event. Power steering and brakes become inoperable during stall. Vehicle typically restarts but may require multiple restart attempts. Occurs repeatedly—some owners report 50+ instances.
When: Variable; can occur at any speed during normal driving or deceleration; triggers include bumps, turns, braking
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown without warning; Loss of power steering during stall; Loss of power brakes during stall; Dashboard warning lights illuminate (various lights); Vehicle restarts easily or with difficulty; Occurs 20–70+ times per vehicle; Associated with deceleration, braking, turns, or road bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate failure or determine cause in multiple cases. Reprogramming attempted on at least one vehicle without resolution. Independent mechanic involved in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P01 addresses timing chain issues on some 2009–2010 models with automatic transmission. Dealers unable to identify root cause; no TSB issued for stalling in complaints reviewed.
Timing chain and tensioner failure at highway speeds
Timing chain or timing chain tensioner fractures, leading to catastrophic engine damage. Connecting rod and piston exit the oil pan and engine block, causing complete engine failure. Occurs at highway speeds (65 mph and above), resulting in total loss of engine power and loss of steering control. Some owners report multiple timing chain failures on the same vehicle despite engine replacements with identical components.
When: Between 33,000 and 63,000 miles; occurs at highway speeds exceeding 65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from front of engine; Complete engine shutdown on highway; Loss of power steering; Connecting rod and piston protrusion through oil pan and engine block; Engine seized and inoperable; Multiple failures on same vehicle despite replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Covered under FCA Recall P01 (engine, timing chain, and chain guide). Engine replacement performed, but identical components reinstalled in one owner's repeated replacements. Dealer refused repair in one case until recall applied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P01 issued for 2009–2010 Dodge Challenger with automatic transmission addressing timing chain and chain guide failure. No mention of upgraded components or design changes in complaints.
Loss of power and dashboard light illumination during driving
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of all electrical power or severe power loss while driving, accompanied by all dashboard lights illuminating. Occurs at highway speeds; vehicle loses propulsion and steering control, forcing driver to pull over. Some events may be related to kill switches or aftermarket anti-theft devices; in one case, removal of an aftermarket device did not resolve the issue.
When: Various speeds, 30–70 mph; mileage 31,706–33,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights and symbols illuminate simultaneously; Complete or near-complete loss of engine power; Loss of steering control; Engine stalls with lights remaining on; Check engine light may appear
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle had aftermarket anti-theft kill switch removed; failure continued. Dealerships unable to diagnose or replicate problem.
Engine coughing, shuddering, and gear ratio fault codes during acceleration
Engine coughs or shudders during normal acceleration under load, with check engine light illuminating. Diagnostic scan reveals P0730 (Gear Ratio Incorrect) code. Behavior intermittent; dealer observes code but finds vehicle driving normally during inspection and performs no repair.
When: Within past few weeks of complaint; normal driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cough or sudden cough-like hesitation; Vehicle shudders during acceleration; Check engine light illuminates; Intermittent occurrence; Normal operation when driven by dealer
Codes mentioned: P0730
Repairs/costs cited: Owner planned to have transmission inspected. Dealer observed code but took no action because vehicle drove normally during test drive.
Loss of power and RPM pulsation during load, rough transmission shifts
Vehicle loses power while accelerating uphill or passing, accompanied by RPM pulsation. Condition appears more prevalent in hot weather. Upon deceleration, transmission shifts roughly, causing loss of traction on slippery surfaces and nearly causing collision. Described as two separate but related unsafe conditions.
When: During acceleration under load (hills, passing); deceleration; appears worse in hot weather
Symptoms owners cite: Power loss during acceleration uphill or passing; RPM pulsation (fluctuation); Rough transmission downshift; Loss of traction in wet/slippery conditions; Condition worsens in hot weather
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Recall issues and manufacturers dont want to fix it.
Car just stalls no warning hi way speed your turning cant steer the car or stop it gives no codes stope or driving it will just lose power and stall not safe .very random never know when it is going to happen
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 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 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 12,000 and 50,000 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 50,000. 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/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.