The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Dodge Charger powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Dodge Charger have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Charger | 48 |
| 2014 Charger | 52 |
| 2015 Charger | 30 |
| 2016 Charger | 21 |
| 2017 Charger (this page) | 16 |
| 2018 Charger | 9 |
| 2021 Charger | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Front Click Noise at Low Speed Turns This bulletin involves installing a friction disc kit on both front hub bearing surfaces between the hub and rotor. The customer may comment on the following:When making a sharp turn at low speed (parking lot) maneuvers, a click noise is heard. Most of the time the noise can be heard if the windows are open.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Front Click Noise at Low Speed Turns This bulletin involves installing a friction disc kit on both front hub bearing surfaces between the hub and rotor. The customer may comment on the following:When making a sharp turn at low speed (parking lot) maneuvers, a click noise is heard. Most of the time the noise can be heard if the windows are open.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Transmission problems dominate this cluster. Owners describe hard shifting on cold start, violent hesitation, and refusal to shift out of 2nd gear starting at 6,700 miles—often with no diagnostic codes present. One owner's transmission locked into 2nd gear at 59,000 miles due to fluid overheating; a dealer-installed used transmission failed again after just 2,000 miles. PCM and TCM software updates haven't fixed the issue.
Engine concerns include a cylinder 4 misfire (P0304) occurring immediately after a dealer tune-up, with inconsistent dealer service records making warranty claims difficult. At higher mileage, owners report engine ticking that progresses to rattling and thumping.
The 2017 Charger also exhibits driveshaft failure—one owner replaced a clicking driveshaft at 56,694 miles independently because the dealer couldn't fit them in for three weeks. A recall (18V281000, effective June 27, 2018) covers front driveshaft replacement, though one owner apparently paid out-of-pocket before learning of it.
Electrical and control gremlins are scattered: shifter warning lights leading to repeated replacements without fixing cascading failures (lights/wipers activating, engine won't crank), and a UConnect touchscreen delaminating and causing ghost touches that trigger phone calls and unintended vehicle functions.
One owner reported unintended acceleration at 50,000 miles with no failure found. The rear differential produces constant howling at highway speed in at least one new vehicle, persisting after replacement and multiple fluid services.
Same Dodge Charger powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping, hard shifting, delayed engagement
Multiple owners report transmission refusing to shift out of second gear, hard shifts on cold start, jerking/hesitation without warning, and irregular shifting patterns. Some vehicles locked into 2nd gear or stuck gears entirely. These issues occur at low mileage and persist after dealer service, PCM/TCM updates, and even replacement transmissions.
When: 6,700 miles; 32,000 miles; 50,000+ miles; as early as cold start; some recur within 2,000 miles of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission won't shift out of 2nd gear; Hard shifting, especially on cold start; Jerking and violent hesitation; Unpredictable shifting patterns; Vehicle hesitates without warning during traffic/acceleration; Gears get stuck
Codes mentioned: No codes present (noted in #7)
Repairs/costs cited: $4,960 transmission repair reported in #1; transmission replacement mentioned in #3 (used transmission installed, failed again after 2,000 miles); PCM/TCM updates applied in #7 without fixing issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred owners to dealers; no recalls mentioned for transmission shift quality; recall 18V281000 for front driveshaft only (#15)
Transmission overheating and complete failure
Transmission fluid burned due to overheating, locking vehicle into 2nd gear and forcing shutdown. Owner reports this is a known issue with Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/RAM platform transmissions that manufacturer has not addressed.
When: 59,000 miles on original transmission; recurrence at ~61,000 miles (2,000 miles after used transmission installed)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Transmission locked into 2nd gear; Burning smell; Transmission fluid overheating
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Used transmission installed by dealer; failed again after 2,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty company processed claim for used transmission replacement; no recall or extended warranty program mentioned
Cylinder 4 misfire and power loss
Vehicle shakes, jerks, and loses power at highway speed. Diagnosed with P0304 cylinder 4 misfire immediately after dealer tune-up (spark plugs x6). Same-day report to dealer ignored. Subsequent dealer visits contradicted previous service records and demanded additional diagnostic fee.
When: 12,703 miles after dealer tune-up; occurs at highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shaking/jerking; Loss of power at highway speed; Check engine light; Drivability issues
Codes mentioned: P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Tune-up performed at Cable Dahmer CDJR (spark plugs replaced); owner reports dealer service records were inconsistent (Feb 2025 repeat recommendation, March 2025 management email claiming tune-up 'hasn't been done yet')
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused to warranty continuing issue; demanded $199 diagnostic fee
Shifter malfunction with electrical/ignition cascade failures
Service Shifter warning light triggered shifter replacement at $1,038. After repair, vehicle shut off unexpectedly while driving, causing lights and wipers to activate on their own, engine would not crank. This pattern repeated multiple times over months. Latest dealer shifter replacement (August 25) left vehicle non-functional.
When: Multiple incidents over extended period; 8 months between incidents before August 25 repair
Symptoms owners cite: Service Shifter warning light; Clutch ticking noise (temporary); Vehicle shut off while driving or at rest; Lights and wipers activating by themselves; Engine won't crank; Shifter malfunction recurs
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: $1,038 shifter replacement by Abby Dodge; second shifter replacement required days later; August 25 shifter replacement at Dodge left vehicle unable to crank or start
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Rear differential whining/howling noise at highway speed
Constant howling or whining noise from rear differential area when traveling 65+ MPH, disappears on deceleration, returns on acceleration. Present in new vehicle. Rear differential replaced, multiple fluid changes and diagnostics performed with no resolution.
When: Present from new vehicle; occurs at 65+ MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Howling/whining noise from rear differential; Noise constant at highway speed; Noise disappears when decelerating; Noise returns when accelerating
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential replaced; multiple fluid changes; multiple diagnostic visits unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA stated this is normal noise and refused to fix; no recall or service bulletin mentioned
Unintended acceleration at moderate speed
Vehicle independently accelerated to high speed while driving at 45 MPH. Owner shifted to neutral to slow vehicle. No failure found at dealer despite complaint; manufacturer provided no assistance.
When: 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Independent acceleration at high speed; Vehicle accelerated without driver input
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; no failure found at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but provided no assistance; owner referred to NHTSA
Engine ticking and rattling at elevated mileage
Engine began ticking at 74,000 miles, initially quiet but progressed to nearly rattling with thumping. Accompanied by exhaust hesitation/spacing and occasional hard shifting. Mechanic initially dismissed as normal but issue worsened significantly.
When: 74,000 miles; progressively worsened over next few thousand miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine ticking; Engine rattling; Thumping sound; Exhaust hesitation with spaces of silence; Occasional hard shifting
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; issue identified as likely powertrain-related but not repaired
Driveshaft failure with clicking noise
Driveshaft produced clicking noise and required replacement at 56,694 miles. Dealer could not accommodate appointment for 3 weeks, forcing owner to use independent garage. Dodge refused compensation despite documented defect.
When: 56,694 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from driveshaft
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replaced at independent garage ($4,000+ repair estimated in similar complaint #10); defective shaft available for inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge refused compensation; Recall 18V281000 (June 27, 2018) covers front driveshaft replacement at no charge under recall number U37, but owner states repair was completed out-of-warranty
UConnect radio touchscreen delamination causing ghost touches and loss of vehicle control
Touchscreen radio delaminating, causing involuntary ghost touches that trigger phone calls, activate/deactivate equipment, and blast music. Since radio controls entire vehicle, this creates serious driving distraction and safety hazard. Cannot be disabled while vehicle is running.
When: Unspecified mileage; occurs anytime vehicle is running (parked or in gear)
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen delaminating; Ghost touches on radio; Unintended phone calls; Equipment turning on/off without input; Music blaring without input; Cannot turn off or disable malfunction
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The transmission in my car completely failed. I was driving home from work. The check engine light came on. Then I noticed the transmission wasn't changing gears. I also noticed a burning smell as well. I towed the vehicle to the dealership. They discovered the transmission fluid was burned due to over heating. The transmission was locked into 2rd gear. That happened at the end of September with…
While driving on the highway with my 14-year-old child as a passenger, the vehicle began shaking/jerking and losing power. I activated hazard lights and exited; the car continued to struggle and is now parked due to safety concerns. O’Reilly scan P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire). This occurred 12,703 miles after a dealer-performed tune-up (spark plugs x6) at Cable Dahmer CDJR (Kansas City, MO).…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 Dodge Charger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 48,725 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2017/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.