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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-DODGE-CHALLENGER NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Dodge

2011 Dodge Challenger problems

The 2011 Dodge Challenger has 3 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 193 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

Ask A Mechanic

The 2011 Dodge Challenger has 193 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 93 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Dodge Challenger owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2008 Challenger 10 3
2009 Challenger 133 7
2010 Challenger 298 7
2011 Challenger (this page) 193 6
2012 Challenger 253 6
2013 Challenger 179 5
2014 Challenger 148 5
2011 Dodge Challenger
Photo: Ermell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Dodge Challenger
0 5 10
Reliability score
5.0 / 10

Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.

3
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 Challenger?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

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.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings

Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2011 Dodge Challenger? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 5.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2011 Dodge Challenger

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

Embed this reliability snapshot

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2011-dodge-challenger/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2011 Dodge Challenger reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2011-dodge-challenger/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2011 Dodge Challenger reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
93 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
30 reports · avg $1,100
severe
steering
14 reports · avg $700
severe
engine
12 reports · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
8 reports · avg $2,500
severe
brakes
4 reports · avg $450
severe
body
3 reports · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 Challenger's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 Challenger?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Challenger · steering
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…
2011 Challenger · electrical
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.
2011 Challenger · electrical
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…
2011 Challenger · electrical
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…
View all 193 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 Dodge Challenger? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
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Active recalls showing 3 of 6

critical NHTSA 19V018000 January 15, 2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
critical NHTSA 18V021000 January 9, 2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
critical NHTSA 16V352000 May 24, 2016

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
View all 6 recalls →

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

EA Air Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021

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?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Dodge Challenger has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

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; Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2011 Dodge Challenger?

Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 93 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2011 Dodge Challenger a good used car to buy?

It scores 5.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 193 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

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. 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. 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 193 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Dodge/Challenger. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Dodge. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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