AIR BAG - SIDE CURTAIN
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Dodge Charger airbags problems
critical Owners of the 2020 Dodge Charger have filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Charger | 8 |
| 2017 Charger | 3 |
| 2018 Charger | 5 |
| 2019 Charger | 47 |
| 2020 Charger (this page) | 34 |
| 2021 Charger | 12 |
9crashes
1fire
4injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 34 airbags complaints filed for the 2020 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 60% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 34 airbags 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report serious and contradictory airbag failures in 2020 Dodge Chargers. Some describe spontaneous deployments while the vehicle was parked with the engine off and no one inside—a situation that should never trigger an airbag. A dealership inspection found no identified cause, and estimated repair cost at $6,700.
Other owners report the opposite: airbags that fail to deploy during actual collisions at speeds ranging from 12 to 70 mph, leaving occupants unprotected and injured. In one case, a side curtain airbag didn't fully deploy, and in another, a knee airbag deployed but prevented the driver from braking, causing the vehicle to travel 200 yards uncontrolled.
A particularly dangerous failure involved a pressurized airbag cylinder that exploded while the parked vehicle sat unused, sending metal shrapnel through the cabin and roof without the airbag ever deploying.
Nearly half the complaint cluster involves NHTSA Campaign 24V198000, where owners received recall notices but dealers cannot complete the work—parts remain unavailable months after notification. The recall specifically addresses a manufacturing defect in right and left side curtain inflators that may rupture, a hazard one owner experienced firsthand. One owner also reported burns and excessive smoke during deployment, along with a persistent "service airbag" warning even after the dealer claimed the recall was completed.
Same Dodge Charger airbags reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous deployment while vehicle parked and engine off
Airbags, particularly driver-side roof curtain bags, deployed with the vehicle parked, engine not running, and no occupants inside. No collision or exterior damage. Dealer inspection found no identified cause.
When: 68,000 miles reported in one case; others parked in driveway during daytime
Symptoms owners cite: loud deployment sound; no warning lights prior to deployment; no visible exterior damage; vehicle not running
Repairs/costs cited: $6,700 estimated for interior replacement including airbag and multiple sensors in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags); dealership inspection performed with no cause identified; case opened by manufacturer
Airbag inflator rupture with metal shrapnel
Side curtain airbag pressurized cylinder exploded while vehicle parked and not running, sending metal fragments through cabin into headrest and through roof. Airbag did not deploy; only the cylinder ruptured.
When: Vehicle parked during daytime, no prior running that day
Symptoms owners cite: loud explosion sound; metal shrapnel scattered inside cabin; no dash warning lights; damage to headrest and roof
Repairs/costs cited: Metal cylinder explosion damage to interior and roof
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge opened internal case; advised owner to take vehicle to dealer. Related to NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags) concerning right and left side curtain inflator rupture risk due to manufacturing defect
Failure to deploy on impact
Airbags did not deploy during collisions requiring emergency response or causing severe injury. Impacts included being struck at 40 mph, 12 mph right-turn collision, 70 mph swerving impact, and 20 mph front-door strike. Multiple occupants sustained injuries including concussion, lacerations, neck/back trauma, and severe injuries requiring hospitalization.
When: 42,000 miles in one case; mileage unknown in others
Symptoms owners cite: no airbag deployment on impact; no warning lights prior to accident; vehicle sustained damage requiring towing; occupant injuries from undeployed bags
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled or taken to body shops; one case treated at hospital for concussion and laceration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened in one incident; manufacturer not contacted in at least one case. Related to NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags)
Partial or incomplete airbag deployment
Left curtain side airbag failed to fully deploy during a collision, leaving occupant unprotected. Vehicle struck pole at 12 mph with jerking and loss of control. Engine fire ignited but dissipated before fire services called.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: incomplete airbag deployment; occupant injury from undeployed section; engine fire; brief loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss by insurance; occupant transported to hospital with minor concussion and laceration
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened. Related to NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags)
Knee airbag deployment preventing brake operation
Knee airbag deployed during head-on accident and prevented driver from depressing brake pedal, causing vehicle to travel approximately 200 yards before stopping from engine damage. Driver lost ability to control vehicle stopping distance and narrowly avoided oncoming traffic.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: knee airbag deployment; brake pedal inaccessible; uncontrolled stopping distance; inability to avoid oncoming traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle stopped after approximately 200 yards due to engine damage
Airbag deployment with excessive smoke and burns
Airbags deployed during accident with heavy smoke generation causing visibility and breathing difficulty. Occupant sustained burns from airbag deployment. Vehicle had open recall that was reportedly completed, but dash continued displaying 'service air bag' warning.
When: 5 days prior to report
Symptoms owners cite: excessive smoke from airbags; visibility impairment; breathing difficulty; burn injuries to occupant; persistent service airbag warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at body shop for inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Open recall reportedly completed but warning persisted; related to NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags)
Recall parts unavailability causing service delays
Multiple owners received NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 recall notification but dealers unable to complete repairs due to unavailable parts. Delays exceeded reasonable timeframes according to owners. No actual failures reported in these cases, but owners unable to address the recall hazard.
When: Not applicable; preventive recall
Symptoms owners cite: recall notification received; parts not available for repair; extended delay beyond reasonable timeframe; repeated contact with dealer and manufacturer
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repairs not completed; parts distribution issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V198000 (Air Bags); parts confirmed unavailable by VIN tool and dealer confirmation
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the contact was struck on the front driver door, causing severe injuries to the contact who was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and severe damage to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and the failure was linked to a recall; however, the contact was informed that parts were unavailable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
Airbags did not deploy at impact.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
Had airbags trouble with your 2020 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 airbags problem on the 2020 Dodge Charger?
It's a serious issue. 34 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 34 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 56,333 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2020/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.