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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Dodge Challenger engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Dodge Challenger have filed 60 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 21,700 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Challenger | 25 |
| 2010 Challenger (this page) | 60 |
| 2011 Challenger | 12 |
| 2012 Challenger | 13 |
| 2013 Challenger | 5 |
| 2014 Challenger | 18 |
When does it fail?
Of the 60 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Dodge Challenger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 9 model years of Dodge Challenger we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 60.
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.
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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Two major engine issues plague 2010 Dodge Challengers with 5.7L hemi engines. The first is timing chain breakage, documented repeatedly at 35,000–80,000 miles. The plastic chain guide snaps first, then the chain fails. Owners hear a pop or loud rattle, the engine loses all power instantly, and the car coasts to a stop. Because the 5.7L is an interference engine, pistons strike open valves the moment the chain breaks, bending valves, cracking piston heads, and sometimes breaking the connecting rod. A national recall exists, but parts sit on backorder for weeks. Dealerships offer chain-and-guide replacement only, ignoring the engine damage already done—complete engine replacement is often necessary, costing $13,000 or more. One owner's repair took eight weeks.
The second issue is random stalling at low speed. The engine shuts off without warning while braking, turning, or slowing down. Power steering and brakes become inoperative until the driver restarts. Owners report this recurring over months or years, starting as early as the first month of ownership. The oil pressure light may flicker briefly. Dealerships run diagnostics, find no codes, and claim they cannot duplicate the problem. Chrysler customer service denies knowledge of the issue. No service bulletins exist. Owners cite dozens of identical complaints online and express fear that the next stall will occur during a left turn across oncoming traffic.
Same Dodge Challenger engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain Breakage
The timing chain snaps without warning, typically accompanied by a loud pop or rattling noise from the engine. The camshaft stops turning while the crankshaft continues, causing pistons to strike open valves. This results in complete loss of engine power, bent valves, damaged pistons, and total engine failure. Owners report this happening as early as 35,000–80,000 miles. One owner experienced a catastrophic failure despite prior recall work allegedly addressing timing chain issues. The plastic chain guide frequently breaks before the chain itself fails. Interference engine design means extensive internal damage occurs instantly upon chain failure.
When: 35,000–80,000 miles; occurs suddenly at highway speeds (65–75 mph) and low-speed driving without warning
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or rattling noise from engine bay; Immediate complete loss of engine power; Loss of power steering and brakes; Lights on dashboard illuminate; Engine will not restart or turns over but will not start; Camshaft position code (wrong position)
Codes mentioned: Camshaft in wrong position
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain and plastic guide replacement; however, extensive internal damage (bent valves, damaged pistons, cracked rods, broken camshaft) requires complete engine replacement in most cases. One owner paid $13,217.38 for independent engine replacement. Dealership repair times of 3–8 weeks reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge issued a national recall on the timing chain for 5.7L hemi with automatic transmission; parts frequently on backorder. Dealer offers to replace chain and guide and observe if engine runs, despite knowing interference engine design will sustain internal damage. One owner received $4,500 repair estimate for valve and cylinder-head damage; Dodge denied warranty coverage citing rebuilt title. No service bulletins issued; manufacturer claims no national corrective action plan. One owner reports prior recall work did not prevent subsequent failure.
Random Engine Stalling at Low Speed
Engine cuts out without warning while braking, turning, or slowing down, typically at speeds under 40 mph. Power steering and brakes become inoperative or extremely difficult to control until vehicle comes to complete stop. The vehicle restarts normally after 30 seconds to several minutes, with no warning lights or codes recorded (some reports cite oil pressure light illuminating briefly). Owners describe this as intermittent and unpredictable, occurring multiple times over months or years of ownership. Many report dealerships cannot duplicate the problem and find no diagnostic codes. Owners note many similar complaints on online forums and express fear of accidents if stalling occurs during turns across oncoming traffic.
When: Early in ownership (some within first month, <1,000 miles) to several years; recurs at irregular intervals; no relation to maintenance schedule
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out while braking or slowing to stop; Engine stalls while making turns (left or right) at low speed (5–25 mph); Complete loss of power (power steering and brakes non-functional until restart); No warning lights or codes recorded by computer (some cite brief oil pressure light); Engine restarts immediately or after brief delay without intervention; No hesitation, rough idle, or other drivability issues between incidents
Codes mentioned: No codes recorded
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to duplicate problem or identify cause. One owner reports ABS sensor module (Part #68048305AC) replaced as possible cause, but improvement not confirmed. Software updates performed on some vehicles without resolution. No parts replacement yields consistent fix. One owner reports dealership unwilling to provide loaner car during diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer service denies knowledge of stalling issue despite multiple documented complaints. Dodge suggests possible electrical issues but offers no formal diagnosis. No recall issued. Dealerships act unfamiliar with problem despite online documentation of many similar cases.
MDS Lifter Failure (Hemi Lifter Malfunction)
The multiple displacement system (MDS) lifter fails to open/close properly during cylinder deactivation on the highway. The stuck lifter grinds against the camshaft, causing catastrophic damage to the camshaft and cylinder head. The failure occurs during the transition when cylinders deactivate from 8 to 4, accompanied by loud rattling noise and immediate loss of power. Car becomes undrivable and must be towed. Owner notes Dodge will not repair the vehicle and attributes failure to a design flaw in the MDS system common to multiple Challengers.
When: Occurs during highway driving when MDS cylinder deactivation activates; mileage not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or grinding noise from engine; Overheating (heat gauge rises); Loss of engine power while driving; Engine runs roughly/sounds funny after restarting; Camshaft grinding damage
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required due to camshaft grinding damage. Owner reports unable to afford repair and vehicle remains non-operational. Independent repair shops unable to address design flaw.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge refuses to provide repair or assistance. Owner describes extensive attempts to contact Dodge and other agencies with no resolution. No recall or TSB issued for MDS lifter defect.
Intermittent Engine Hesitation Under Acceleration
Engine hesitates or misfires under acceleration, particularly during passing maneuvers on highway. Hesitation resolves after a few seconds without driver intervention. The 5.7L hemi on manual transmission exhibits weak hesitation that occurs intermittently while passing at high load. Stronger hesitation on recent occurrence lasted approximately two minutes with very rough running before smoothing out. No fault codes recorded by computer despite hesitation being registered by engine computer each time. Owner questions whether problem originates in engine or ignition system.
When: Occurs intermittently during acceleration under load (passing on highway); six incidents over unspecified timeframe
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation during acceleration; Misfiring on one or more cylinders (rough running); Hesitation extends passing maneuvers and increases collision risk; Recent episode lasted ~2 minutes with very rough running; Hesitation self-resolves without intervention
Codes mentioned: No codes recorded despite computer registering malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair completed. Owner unable to determine if problem is mechanical or electrical.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaint.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, the low engine oil warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had reoccurred approximately three or four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was…
Car shut off going 65mph on highway with no warning. Would not start again. Towed to local dealership and it took 3 weeks of them not knowing what was wrong after I suggested timing chain several times. They said I needed a new batter, charged me $230 for a battery I did not need . Finally they realized 6 out of 8 heads were bent and timing chain broke. Now when I let off the accelerator it…
I was coming home from work and my 2010 Dodge challenger suddenly cut off. I was going approximately 63 MPH and lost all power, I had to coast to the side of the highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the car was purchased. The service dept notified me that my timing chain broke. The engine is pretty much shot, I have been looking at a lot of Dodge forums and this has been…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 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 2010 Dodge Challenger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 4,000 and 55,368 miles, with the median around 21,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 55,368. 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/2010/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.