Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Dodge charger. The contact stated that the vehicle had a strong hesitation, excessive smoking, and the service engine warning light randomly illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failures several times and was not able to provide a permanent remedy for the condition. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and was not able to provide a solution to repair…
2014 Dodge Charger engine problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 26 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2014 Charger can hit you with expensive, hard-to-diagnose engine issues—oil filter housing leaks ($500–$900 repairs), lifter/camshaft wear causing ticking and stalling, and transmission shift problems that dealers claim are normal. Oil leaks pose fire risk; hesitation during acceleration is a safety hazard in traffic.
The 2014 Dodge Charger 3.6L Pentastar engine shows recurring issues across multiple failure modes. The plastic oil filter housing and cooling adapter crack or fail, leaking oil onto engine components and roadways. One dealer called it the worst design ever put on the motor. Repairs run $500–$900; the original part is no longer manufactured, and replacements are frequently back-ordered.
Lifters and camshafts wear prematurely, from as early as 37,000 miles. Owners hear loud ticking that worsens with acceleration, followed by hesitation, misfire, and eventually stalling. Some cases required full engine replacement. Camshaft and lifter parts are consistently on back order at dealerships.
Engine hesitation and stalling during highway merges and acceleration happen repeatedly on some cars. The check engine light points to oil pressure circuit codes, but technicians watching the car fail in real-time see nothing on their scans. One replacement oil pressure switch didn't solve it.
Transmission shift quality is poor, especially in cold weather—excessive engine revving between shifts and harsh downshifts. Multiple repair attempts fail. Dealers insist it's normal despite acknowledging they hear the problems.
One vehicle caught fire while parked with investigators citing engine malfunction. Another experienced extended hesitation and smoking Chrysler couldn't solve.
Same Dodge Charger engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Oil Filter Housing / Adapter Leaks
Plastic oil filter housing and cooling adapter units leak oil, often discovered as oil pooling under the engine or dripping from beneath the vehicle. Multiple owners report this is widespread on 2014 Dodge Chargers with 3.6L engines. One service rep told an owner this is 'the worst design they have ever put onto this motor.' Oil leaking onto hot engine components creates fire hazard and noxious fumes; oil on roadways creates hazard for other drivers.
When: 70,000 miles noted in one complaint; varies otherwise
Symptoms owners cite: Oil dripping from under vehicle; Oil pooling at engine bottom; Burning oil smell through heating system; Engine smoking; Check engine light (due to oil loss)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement adapter available; owners report $500–$900 repair costs. Dodge stopped manufacturing original part; only aftermarket replacements available. Back orders common (45+ days reported).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge offers upgraded replacement part. Some dealers state warranty does not cover oil valve leaks. No formal recall mentioned for this issue in narratives.
Lifter / Camshaft Wear and Failure
Hydraulic lifters wear prematurely or go bad, causing camshaft damage and internal engine wear. Owners report ticking/tapping sounds that progress as vehicle ages. In several cases, rocker arms also worn. One owner had lifter/cam failure at only 37,000 miles; others at 117,000 or higher. One complaint mentions 'sheared rocker pin.' Failure mode appears tied to a known defect in Pentastar 3.6 engines.
When: 37,000 miles (early case); 117,000 miles; 121,000 miles; 206,000 miles (late case)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking or tapping from engine; Ticking becomes louder and faster under acceleration; Vehicle hesitates; Misfire; Engine bucking and surging; Check engine light; Engine shaking/knocking at idle; Loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: Lifters, rocker arms, and camshaft replacement required. In several cases, dealership ordered parts but found them on back order. One case required full engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known defect in 2011–2013 model years receives 150,000-mile extended warranty under some conditions; 2014 model year owner was denied coverage, told build date (Sept 2013) fell outside program. No specific recall cited in complaints.
Engine Hesitation / Stalling / Surging Under Load
Engine becomes unresponsive or stalls/surges when accelerating into traffic or merging onto freeways, lasting up to 40 seconds before recovering. Check engine light often illuminates. Diagnostic codes (P0600) point to oil pressure control circuit issues, but root cause remains elusive—technicians observe the problem in real-time but laptop diagnostics show no fault, making repair difficult.
When: 5,500 miles (first occurrence); 12,443 miles; 17,000 miles in escalating pattern
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal unresponsive; Loss of power when accelerating; Stall/surge lasting 20–40 seconds; Check engine light; Vehicle hesitation
Codes mentioned: P0600 (Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure switch replaced; oil changed. Problem recurred after repair. Dealership later discussed replacing entire engine.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to replicate problem on diagnostics despite observing it during test drive. No recall mentioned.
Engine Overheating and Fire
One owner reports vehicle caught fire while parked in driveway. Fire marshal and investigator found engine malfunction as cause; all original parts, maintenance only done at dealer, no prior work. Another complaint reports excessive smoking and engine overheating.
When: While parked; under undisclosed driving conditions in second case
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Fire under hood; Excessive smoking; Hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle total loss (fire). Other case not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives.
Misfire / Rough Idle (Pentastar Cylinder Defect)
One complaint explicitly references a known defect in the Pentastar 3.6 left cylinder, manifesting as constant ticking, puttering, and uncontrollable shaking/knocking at idle. Owner states mechanic confirmed the defect. Dodge and Chrysler acknowledged a known issue but denied coverage based on model year boundaries.
When: Built September 2013; complaint ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Constant ticking and puttering at idle; Uncontrollable shaking/knocking at idle; Check engine light (intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; warranty denied.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge/Chrysler acknowledged known defect in 2011–2013 model years with 150,000-mile extended warranty, but 2014 model year owner denied coverage due to build-date cutoff.
Transmission Shift Problems (Cold Start Revving and Harsh Downshifts)
Eight-speed transmission exhibits improper shifting behavior, especially in cold conditions. Engine revs excessively between upshifts when cold; severe downshifts occur at all temperatures. Problem improves when engine and ambient temperature normalize but downshift harshness persists. Multiple repair attempts unsuccessful. Dealer states behavior is 'normal operation' despite technician acknowledging he can hear and feel the problem.
When: Reported at low mileage; cold-weather startup
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rev-up between shifts in cold conditions; Severe downshifts (cold and warm); Hesitation between upshifts
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple service visits (3+ reported in one case); no permanent remedy achieved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler declined to help; dealership service manager stated this is normal transmission operation. No recall pending (as of complaint date).
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
So I've been going to dealership getting a oil change spark plugs change etc and also all recalls done at same dealership which I dont have a problem with but I've come to notice there is a problem with this oil filter adapter that seams pretty crazy buy the way manufacture built such faulty piece that is in a highly mantience area that would put many nice cars on side of highway or even stall…
I have a 2014 Dodge charger sxt with the 3.6 v6 engine and the new 8 speed transmission. The transmission is not shifting properly; when it is cold, the engine will rev-up between shifts, and it has severe downshifts. When the temperature,(ambient and vehicle), is normal the up-shift problem goes away but the downshifting problem still remains,(at times)! I have taken it back for repairs 3 times…
I have a 2014 Dodge charger sxt with the 3.6 v6 engine and the new 8 speed transmission. The transmission is not shifting properly; when it is cold, the engine will rev-up between shifts, and it has severe downshifts. When the temperature,(ambient and vehicle), is normal the up-shift problem goes away but the downshifting problem still remains,(at times)! I have taken it back for repairs 3 times…
Tl-contact owns a 2014 Dodge charger..... Engine had major oil leak - oil filter adapter oil coolant assembly- contact called Dodge dealership and dealership stated cost would be 500.00 to fix... Contact stated vehicle is not driveable due to oil leak..... Oil leaks down back of transmission and engine had started smoking when contact went to back vehicle out of driveway. Dealership stated…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 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 engine problem on the 2014 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 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 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 34,500 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 66,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,500; a quarter make it past 121,000. 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/2014/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.