Dodge Challenger problems
191 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 93 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 39,077–72,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I nearly was killed today getting off highway I-10 when my entire car shut down. The entire electrical system failed ABS, esp, bas, traction lighting all came on - power steering did not work- completely shut down with no recourse finally coasted to park in the garage close by…
My 2011 Dodge charger v8 has less than 45k miles and my alternator went out this week, I did research to find out there is a recall but only on the v6 engine, not the v8. The v6 and the v8 models have the same 160amp alternator,both the models need to be added to the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge challenger. The contact stated that the key was becoming increasingly difficult to turn over and start the vehicle. The contact had to make several attempts to start the vehicle. The door latches also failed to unlock with the key-less entry…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Dodge challenger. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that due to the continuous operation of the smart…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2011 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 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.
Should you avoid the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
The 2011 Dodge Challenger is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 93 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 39,077–72,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Dodge Challenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 93 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,075 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,075 miles. 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 2011 Dodge Challenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 191 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 are not always better value.