PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Dodge Charger brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Dodge Charger have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 53,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Charger | 31 |
| 2008 Charger | 6 |
| 2009 Charger | 3 |
| 2010 Charger | 3 |
| 2011 Charger (this page) | 19 |
| 2012 Charger | 10 |
| 2013 Charger | 7 |
| 2014 Charger | 11 |
| 2015 Charger | 6 |
2fires
What stands out
Among the 13 model years of Dodge Charger in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Flash: MIL Illumination P0108 - Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit High This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. The customer may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. Upon further investigation the Technician may find that P0108 - Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit High has been set active or stored.Updating the software will correct the condition listed above.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER/DODGE: TEMPORARY LOSS OF ABS/ESP FUNCTIONALITY. ABS/ESP LAMP MIGHT ILLUMINATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake problems dominate the complaint set. Owners report pedal sinking to the floorboard with no brake response, sometimes recurring over months at unpredictable intervals; no visible leaks or air are found, and master cylinders remain full. One owner's brakes failed completely at 45 mph—he had to shift to neutral to stop—just before his master cylinder and brake reservoir caught fire, consuming the engine and front end. Another owner experienced pedal-to-floor four times, including twice at near-stop speeds.
Warped rotors appear as a pattern, some failing within the warranty period. Rotor and pad replacements didn't cure the sinking-pedal problem in one case, and Chrysler's Star program refused to warranty rotor failure at 8,012 miles.
ABS deactivation and failure occur multiple times across complaints, accompanied by brake pedal vibration, hard steering, and vehicle shaking during stops. One owner's brake line was found rubbing the frame, causing a rupture and fluid leak requiring complete line replacement.
Mechanic diagnostics often uncover no root cause, and dealership service frequently cannot replicate or fix the issue. One owner spent over 25 dealership visits with no resolution and pursued legal action.
Same Dodge Charger brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal sinks to floor / loss of braking pressure
Brake pedal intermittently travels to the floorboard with no response, or total brake failure requiring excessive pedal pressure to regain function. No visible leaks or air in system detected. Occurs unpredictably.
When: 25,000–82,000 miles; recurring over weeks or months
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal sinks to floorboard; Loss of braking response; Requires forceful re-depression to regain brakes; No warning lights; No visible brake fluid leaks; Master cylinder full
Repairs/costs cited: Rotor and brake pad replacement attempted; failure continued. Independent mechanic found no brake system faults. Chrysler Star Customer Satisfaction Program declined to warranty rotor issue.
Warped rotors and uneven brake wear
Rotors warp prematurely, requiring replacement. Brake pads wear unevenly. Combined with grinding noise sideways in calipers.
When: Recurring from early ownership; rotor warranty denied at 8,012 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Warped rotors; Uneven brake pad wear; Grinding noise in calipers; Brake pulsation at 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors replaced multiple times by non-Dodge dealers after manufacturer warranty denial. ABS replacement recommended by private mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler Star Customer Satisfaction Program (enrolled Jan 2012 at 8,012 mi) refused to warranty rotor issue.
Brake line rupture from frame abrasion
Brake line rubbing against vehicle frame causes friction damage, rupturing the line and creating a fluid leak. Entire brake line required replacement as single unit.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illumination; Brake fluid leak from line; Brake line rubbing against frame
Repairs/costs cited: Entire brake line assembly required replacement due to design interference with frame.
Master cylinder and brake reservoir fire
Master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir ignited, spreading fire across engine and front end. Vehicle total loss. Smoke from hood preceded brake failure.
When: 37,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from hood; Brake failure unresponsive to pedal depression; Smoke from vents; Fire from master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed in fire; fire department extinguished blaze. Police report filed.
ABS failure and deactivation
Anti-lock brake system fails to function or deactivates during driving. Occurs alongside steering and electrical issues.
When: 25,000 miles; recurred multiple times after battery recharge at 79,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS deactivation; ABS light illumination; Brake pedal vibration; Hard steering wheel; Vehicle shaking during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Private mechanic recommended ABS replacement. Alternator replacement did not resolve recurring ABS failure.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2011 Dodge Charger?
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 brakes problem on the 2011 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 30,000 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 79,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/Charger.
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.