Should I buy a 2015 Dodge Charger with documented engine problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented engine issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2015 Dodge Charger engine problems

moderate Owners of the 2015 Dodge Charger have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →

Ask A Mechanic

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$3,100

engine complaints on the Dodge Charger, by model year
Model year	engine complaints
2011 Charger	31
2012 Charger	39
2013 Charger	24
2014 Charger	26
2015 Charger (this page)	11
2016 Charger	12
2017 Charger	6
2019 Charger	9

What stands out

No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 15V114000 February 27, 2015

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to February 5, 2015, and equipped with a 6

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the engine fuel rail injector crossover hose, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R07.

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.

Service Bulletin 0700723 May 2023

Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 1804823 Apr 2023

wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 9003357a Feb 2023

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 ↗

Service Bulletin 9003357A Feb 2023

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 9003357 Feb 2023

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 ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

Owners report persistent engine misfires tied to a check engine light that can flare up multiple times despite dealer repairs. One owner paid $10,000 for a full engine swap, only to encounter identical misfire symptoms—including steering unresponsiveness and vibration—six months later. Another had cylinder 6 misfiring out of the factory while still under warranty.

Camshaft and valve train wear is a recurring theme. Multiple owners describe ticking or tapping from cold start that worsens over time; dealers have confirmed this is a known issue affecting several vehicles. One owner had rocker arms and camshaft replaced, then the ticking returned within a year despite regular oil changes every 3,000–5,000 miles.

Engine cooling system overheat is reported, with temperature climbing after 120,000–200,000 kilometers and potentially leading to engine failure. One owner notes the problem is especially prevalent in hot climates (50°C+).

A drive shaft bearing failed and was repaired, but the noise recurred. One complaint alleges carbon monoxide is entering the cabin through the air conditioning, causing lightheadedness and persistent headaches.

Dealer responses are mixed. Some acknowledged known issues and opened manufacturer cases; others denied coverage or blamed owners. Wait times and poor communication during warranty claims frustrate owners.

Same Dodge Charger engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016

Failure modes owners describe

Engine Misfire

Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes; engine vibration and steering response issues reported. One owner replaced engine ($10k) only to experience identical misfire issues within months. Another reported cylinder 6 missing (factory issue under warranty).

When: 150k-200k miles in some cases; also reported shortly after new engine installation

Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (steady and flashing); Engine vibration; Steering wheel unresponsiveness; Rough idle; Acceleration hesitation

Codes mentioned: Cylinder 6 misfire

Repairs/costs cited: $900 diagnostics, $10k engine replacement mentioned; oil pressure sensor replacement $550; new engine still exhibits same failure

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: New engine provided under warranty; oil pressure sensor repair not covered under engine warranty

Camshaft Failure / Worn Valve Train

Camshaft wear or failure requiring replacement, often involving rocker arms and lifters. One owner reports rocker arm and camshaft replaced, then same ticking reoccurred one year later. Dealer stated this is a known issue across multiple vehicles.

When: 105k-131k miles reported; recurrence within 1 year of repair

Symptoms owners cite: Ticking or tapping noise from engine; Check engine light; Rough idle

Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replacement; rocker arm and tapper replacement mentioned; no repair cost details provided

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised this is a known issue with several vehicles; manufacturer case opened in at least one complaint

Engine Cooling System Failure

Excessive engine temperature rise after 120k-200k kilometers, leading to potential engine damage requiring replacement. Owner reports issue prevalent in high-temperature climates (50°C+).

When: 120k-200k kilometers

Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature rise; Overheating

Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement possible outcome

Drive Shaft Noise / Bearing Failure

Abnormal noise from under engine; front drive shaft replacement required. Previous repair for front passenger side bearing did not prevent recurrence.

When: 59k miles

Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from under engine

Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger side bearing previously repaired; front drive shaft replacement needed; recurring failure

Exhaust / Ventilation System Defect

Carbon monoxide detected in cabin air via air conditioning system. Owner reports lightheadedness and headaches resulting from CO exposure.

When: <UNKNOWN>

Symptoms owners cite: Carbon monoxide entering cabin; Lightheadedness; Headaches

Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

engine · filed 11/26/2019

Car was not running correctly had it checked and cylinder 6 was missing which was an issue in the factory. The vehicle was under warranty at the time. Took it in to lampe Dodge visalia california, was told a loaner or rental had to be approved by corporate. This was november 8th of 2019, I have called and no answer they refer me to different people and no answer or rental car. I have been a…

Had engine trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Dodge Charger?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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/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.