The 2019 Challenger's electrical architecture centers on the Uconnect infotainment system, which controls most vehicle functions including the backup camera display. Owners report the system intermittently goes black, becomes unresponsive, and requires hard resets that may take several hours to restore full functionality. Several owners describe the backup camera display getting stuck on the Uconnect screen after shifting out of reverse, persisting for 10–12 seconds or longer and obscuring navigation and climate controls while driving—a distraction and safety hazard.
Transmission and shift-related electrical failures are common: gears stuck in park with warning lights ablaze (SERVICE SHIFTER, SERVICE TRANSMISSION, SERVICE ENGINE), inability to shift smoothly out of reverse without vehicle restart, and flashing drive indicators at traffic lights. One owner reported an aftermarket tracking device that destroyed the vehicle's wiring harness; even after dealer repair, the electrical issues recurred during test drives over 100 miles.
Additional electrical gremlins include digital speedometer readings 20–30 mph higher than analog display, passenger door lock clicking issues, windows opening and closing overnight causing battery drain, and a key fob that stops being recognized after battery replacement. One owner reported over 100 backfiring pops at startup that the dealership could not reproduce. Backup camera image quality is also poor—dark, cloudy, and impossible to see at night.
Failure modes owners describe
Uconnect Infotainment System Screen Malfunction
Factory-installed Uconnect radio/display system intermittently becomes unresponsive, goes black, or freezes. Hard and soft resets may not resolve the issue initially; owners report it eventually restores after several hours. The system is critical because most vehicle functions, including backup camera display, route through it.
When: Intermittent, unpredictable timing
Symptoms owners cite: Screen goes black and unresponsive; Hard resets do not immediately resolve issue; Generic screen with missing functions appears after reset; Correct screen eventually restores after several hours; No warning lights or messages precede malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Soft and hard resets attempted by owners; no successful permanent repairs reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners report hundreds of similar reports online regarding Uconnect screen black issues; no official manufacturer response or recall mentioned in narratives
Backup Camera Display Does Not Disengage
Rearview camera image remains stuck on the Uconnect display after vehicle is shifted out of reverse into drive or park. The camera display persists on-screen for 10–12+ seconds or longer, continuing to display randomly during forward driving. Owners report this obstructs navigation, climate controls, and other critical information while driving, creating a safety hazard and driver distraction.
When: Intermittent, multiple times per ownership; occurs unpredictably during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Rearview camera display remains on screen after shifting out of reverse; Display persists for 10–12 seconds or longer after gear shift; Camera image continues to display randomly during forward driving; Display obstructs access to navigation and climate controls; Bright high-contrast screen causes driver distraction and light sensitivity issues
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle restart sometimes restores normal screen function; no permanent repairs reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No official manufacturer response or recall mentioned; owner notes that VIN is not currently included in any active recall despite matching known Dodge/Stellantis defects
Transmission/Electrical Shift Malfunction
Vehicle exhibits multiple transmission and electrical shift issues including gears stuck in park, inability to shift smoothly, flashing drive indicator, and failure to accelerate properly. Multiple service warnings illuminate including SERVICE SHIFTER, SERVICE TRANSMISSION, SERVICE ENGINE, and PARK CAR warnings. Owner reports hard steering wheel control during malfunction events.
When: At 5,750 miles; also occurs intermittently during acceleration and at traffic lights
Symptoms owners cite: Gears stuck in park position with engine still running; Vehicle jolts/lurches when reversing; Multiple warning lights illuminate: SERVICE SHIFTER, SERVICE TRANSMISSION, SERVICE ENGINE, PARK CAR; Hard to control steering wheel during malfunction; Gets stuck in reverse; must turn vehicle off and restart to regain drive function; Drive indicator (D) flashes and vehicle will not drive forward at traffic light; Slow acceleration; vehicle stalls and picks up speed over 30 seconds instead of normal response; Almost caused traffic accidents during malfunctions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer discovered destroyed wiring caused by aftermarket tracking device; attempted to remove tracker and repair wiring. Entire wiring system reportedly needed replacement. Vehicle was not fully repaired after multiple visits; issue recurred after first repair attempt. One dealer charged $175 diagnosis fee and performed software update, which did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; case number issued. No recall or warranty program mentioned
Speedometer Discrepancy
Digital speedometer display shows significantly different speed reading than analog dashboard speedometer. Digital display reads 20–30+ mph higher than actual speed (e.g., analog reads 40 mph, digital reads 60+ mph). Issue occurs almost every time vehicle is accelerated.
When: During acceleration; occurs almost every time
Symptoms owners cite: Digital speedometer reads significantly higher than analog speedometer; Speed variance ranges from 20–30+ mph difference; Variance changes depending on acceleration
Backup Camera Inoperability and Image Quality
Backup camera is either completely unavailable when vehicle is in reverse, or the camera lens is dark, cloudy, or impossible to see, especially at night. This jeopardizes rear visibility and safety during reversing.
When: When vehicle is in reverse; occurs almost every time according to one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera unavailable when vehicle is in reverse; Camera image is dark and cloudy; Impossible to see backup camera image at night; Safety compromised due to lack of rear visibility
Engine Popping/Backfiring Sound
Loud popping sound occurs during cold start, resembling engine backfiring or misfiring. Sound is duplicated multiple times but does not occur consistently. Dealership unable to reproduce issue during diagnostic attempts.
When: During vehicle start; has occurred over 100 times but intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping sound during start-up; Sounds like engine backfiring; Sound occurs over 100 times but not consistently; Cannot be reproduced by dealership technicians
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims sound cannot be duplicated; no repair attempted
Key Fob Battery Detection Failure
After key fob battery is depleted and replaced, the key fob is no longer detected by the vehicle. Vehicle will not start because the key fob cannot be recognized by the receiver system.
When: After key fob battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Key fob no longer detected by vehicle after battery replacement; Vehicle will not start; Replacement battery (from CVS store) not recognized
Passenger Door Lock Malfunction
Passenger side door lock has difficulty engaging or disengaging (clicking in/out). Child lock feature is not functional or not present on this door, creating a potential safety concern if emergency exit is needed.
When: Intermittent; issues occur almost every time according to owner
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger door lock has difficulty clicking lock/unlock; Child lock feature not available or not functioning; Safety concern if emergency vehicle exit is needed
Window Motor Drain and Smart Window Malfunction
Driver and passenger windows operate autonomously when vehicle sits overnight, opening and closing without operator input. This causes significant battery drain. Separately, smart window function stopped working after battery replacement in the vehicle.
When: After vehicle sits overnight; smart window failure after battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Windows go up and down automatically while car sits overnight; Battery drain caused by window motor operation; Smart window function stops working after battery replacement
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.