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ProblemsByVinFile / 2018-DODGE-CHALLENGERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Dodge
2018 Dodge Challenger problems
The 2018 Dodge Challenger has 74 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2018 Dodge Challenger has 74 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 25 complaints, typically surfacing around 11,563 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Challenger?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,206–30,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
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
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
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: 2018 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD. 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 2018 Dodge Challenger? 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 — 25 owner reports
· tends to show around 11,563 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 13,750 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 22,436 mi · ~$700 to fix
wheels — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 42,268 mi · ~$400 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 11,563 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2018 Challenger· lighting
My headlights keep going dim I’ve only owned this car a year in January. I’ve changed them 5 times also the electronic stability control supposivly was fixed and they changed me an arm and a leg it keeps glitching I hate going to the dealership because I feel as tho because I’m…
Unconnect system constantly shuts off during normal operation which causes issues with navigation. There is also a short of some type with the electrical system which causes glitches in the speedometer/main display system - it flickers and then resumes to normal on occasion…
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Dodge challenger. While the contact's husband was attempting to make a left turn, his vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the front driver's side near the hood. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact's husband…
Electrical system is going completely haywire. The display screen beeps as if being touched constantly causing driver distractions. Bluetooth hands free function makes random phone calls, hangs up and redials repeatedly causing driver distractions. The display also flashes…
Had a problem with your 2018 Dodge Challenger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Dodge Challenger 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 2018 Dodge Challenger?
The 2018 Dodge Challenger is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,206–30,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. 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 2018 Dodge Challenger?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,563 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 2018 Dodge Challenger a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 74 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 11,563 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 2018 Dodge Challenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 25 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,563 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 11,563 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Challenger 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 2018 Dodge Challenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 74 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Dodge/Challenger.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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