The transmission has very harsh downshifts when lightly braking or coasting to a stop. The transmission stays engaged and bogs down the car, then frees up suddenly, causing the vehicle to lunge forward. There is an audible clunk from the rear end when this happens. On several occasions it's almost LED to fender benders with the cars in front of me.
2015 Dodge Challenger powertrain problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 28 powertrain 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.
Among the 12 model years of Dodge Challenger in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Dodge Challenger?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 13,816 and 49,700 miles, with the median around 31,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,816; a quarter make it past 49,700. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.