ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Challenger engine problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Challenger have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 76,000 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
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Challenger | 25 |
| 2010 Challenger | 60 |
| 2011 Challenger (this page) | 12 |
| 2012 Challenger | 13 |
| 2013 Challenger | 5 |
| 2014 Challenger | 18 |
| 2015 Challenger | 14 |
1fire
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.
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
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
Owners of 2011 Dodge Challengers describe five distinct engine-related failure patterns. The most widely documented is timing chain fracture around 62,000–64,000 miles, causing sudden loss of power and stalling; two owners hit this problem and were denied coverage—one because the engine sustained secondary damage outside a satisfaction program, the other because they weren't the original owner. Alternator failures appear across the cluster, ranging from 21,400 miles to later intervals, causing dimming lights, loss of steering assist, and no-start conditions. Some dealers repaired these; others left cars stranded pending diagnostic confirmation. The 3.6L Pentastar V-6 in early production carries a known defect: left-cylinder head cracks affecting roughly 7,500 engines. Owners report ticking from the left side, check engine lights, and stalling. Chrysler extended warranty on the head to 10 years/150,000 miles and implemented a design fix in late 2012 models. One owner reported an engine fire at 500 miles with no determined cause. Another experienced complete 5.7L HEMI failure with a snapped pushrod after regular maintenance, requiring $8,500 engine replacement. Warranty denials and repair refusals are common friction points across narratives.
Same Dodge Challenger engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked left-cylinder head (3.6L Pentastar V-6)
Early production 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engines susceptible to left-cylinder head cracks. Chrysler identified roughly 7,500 affected engines (0.5% of equipped vehicles) built as the engine was first rolling out in 2012. Subpar fuel and driving conditions contributed to the defect; design modification in late 2012 reportedly fixed the issue in newer vehicles.
When: Early 2011-2013 model years with 3.6L Pentastar
Symptoms owners cite: ticking noise from left side of engine; engine stalling; check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Warranty extended to 10-years/150,000 miles on left-cylinder head (from original 5-year/100,000 mile coverage)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler warranty extension to 10-years/150,000 miles on left-cylinder head; design modification in late 2012
Timing chain failure
Timing chain fractures causing loss of motive power while driving and subsequent engine damage. Two owners reported failure around 62,000-64,000 miles. Related to Service Campaign P01 (Engine Timing Chain and Chain Guide). One owner was denied coverage under Consequential Damages; another was denied engine replacement because they were not the original owner.
When: 62,000–64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loss of motive power while driving; vehicle stalled; multiple unknown warning lights illuminated; hard steering
Codes mentioned: P01 (Service Campaign: Engine Timing Chain and Chain Guide)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required but coverage denied in both cases—one due to not being original owner, another due to secondary engine damage from chain failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Campaign P01; one claim partially acknowledged under Consequential Damages but ultimately denied; second claim denied due to non-original-owner status
Alternator failure
Alternator failures reported across multiple mileage points, causing loss of electrical power and engine stalling. One owner at 21,400 miles reported dimming instrument panel and stalling; multiple others reported sudden loss of charging, warning lights, and inability to start. Owner complaint notes indicate similar failures on other Dodge vehicles from the same model year and requests recall consideration.
When: 21,400 miles (one documented case); other failures undocumented for timing
Symptoms owners cite: warning lights illumination; dimming instrument panel lights; vehicle stalling while driving; hard steering; inability to start
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 14V634000 (Electrical System) — not applicable to all 2011 Challengers
Repairs/costs cited: One case repaired at dealer; others involved towing and unspecified repair costs ranging from $200+ (battery replacement) to full alternator replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V634000 exists for some vehicles but does not cover all 2011 Challengers (e.g., those with 5.7L engines)
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire from under the rear driver's side while driving at 65 mph at only 500 miles. Fire department responded; no injuries reported. Dealer and manufacturer engineer unable to diagnose root cause. Vehicle totaled.
When: 500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: fire ignition from under rear driver's side
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no diagnosis provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer sent engineer to inspect; cause remained undiagnosed
Pushrod breakage (5.7L HEMI engine)
Number 7 pushrod snapped during normal highway driving despite regular maintenance with no prior warning. Engine failure requires replacement.
When: Normal highway driving (mileage unspecified)
Symptoms owners cite: catastrophic engine failure; snapped number 7 pushrod
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required at estimated cost of $8,500
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Dodge Challenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 62,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2011/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.