2013 Dodge Charger problems
The 2013 Dodge Charger has 358 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Dodge Charger has 358 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 153 complaints, typically surfacing around 59,672 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Charger | 238 | 0 |
| 2011 Charger | 694 | 0 |
| 2012 Charger | 648 | 4 |
| 2013 Charger (this page) | 358 | 0 |
| 2014 Charger | 342 | 1 |
| 2015 Charger | 135 | 0 |
| 2016 Charger | 182 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 19 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system
- Powertrain: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 26,700–100,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD. 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 2013 Dodge Charger? 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
- electrical — 153 owner reports · tends to show around 59,672 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 48 owner reports · tends to show around 65,255 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 30 owner reports · tends to show around 57,576 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 30 owner reports · tends to show around 79,422 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,672 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 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 anything about your 2013 Dodge Charger
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2013 Dodge Charger
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~51,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~58,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~59,700 mielectrical~$850
- ~65,000 micruise control~$600
- ~75,000 misteering~$700
- ~90,153 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I brought this 2013 Dodge charger with 86,000 miles used in 10/20/2016 from south chicago Dodge and when I got it, the car used to jerk when accelerating and I took it back to the dealer and told them about the car problem that I had. 1st time they had fix the transmission,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge charger. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Dodge charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to do the recall…
I was driving my 2013 Dodge charger on the highway doing 75 MPH when the rear differential locked up. The vehicle just passed 100,000 miles.
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 2013 Dodge Charger reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 358 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Dodge Charger 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 2013 Dodge Charger?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Dodge Charger is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 19 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Powertrain: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 26,700–100,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Dodge Charger?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 153 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,672 miles. 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 2013 Dodge Charger a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 358 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 59,672 miles. 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 2013 Dodge Charger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 153 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,672 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 59,672 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Charger 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 2013 Dodge Charger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 358 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.