Last updated: 2026-05-15
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang: Reliability Compared
Dodge Challenger
Ford Mustang
Choosing between the Dodge Challenger and the Ford Mustang? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Challenger currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Dodge Challenger is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 74/100 vs 65/100.
The Dodge Challenger demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Ford Mustang, with an average reliability score of 74 out of 100 versus the Mustang's 65. The Challenger has faced significantly fewer recalls over six years—only 14 compared to the Mustang's 71 over nine years. Additionally, the Challenger has a lower owner complaint rate at 2.5 per 10,000 sold, against the Mustang's 5.7, and slightly lower estimated annual repair costs at $650 versus $709 for the Mustang. These factors, particularly the disparity in recall rates and complaint frequency, make the Challenger a more reliable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Dodge Challenger costs $59 less per year to repair
- 2Dodge Challenger has 57 fewer total recalls
- 3Dodge Challenger scores 9 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Challenger | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 14 | 71 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.5 | 5.7 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $650/yr | $709/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 14% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang?
The Ford Mustang exhibits a higher volume of complaints across several categories compared to the Dodge Challenger, particularly in the electrical system and power train, with 269 and 165 complaints respectively. Notably, the Mustang's power train issues have resulted in 9 crash-linked complaints, while its service brakes and steering also show significant crash-linked figures at 7 and 8 each. In contrast, the Dodge Challenger has a lower total complaint count, with electrical system and air bags being its most reported issues, the latter being highly crash-linked with 9 out of 13 complaints. While both models face challenges in electrical systems, the Mustang's broader scope of issues, especially those linked to crashes, suggests a more complex reliability profile.
| Component | Dodge Challenger | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 1.5Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang?
How Does Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Challenger | Ford Mustang | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 38C | 72/1006R / 14C | Dodge Challenger |
| 2022 | 74/1002R / 8C | 59/10017R / 154C | Dodge Challenger |
| 2021 | 75/1002R / 17C | 54/10018R / 373C | Dodge Challenger |
| 2020 | 77/1001R / 19C | 66/1008R / 101C | Dodge Challenger |
| 2019 | 73/1003R / 55C | 67/1004R / 129C | Dodge Challenger |
| 2018 | 72/1004R / 73C | 65/1004R / 172C | Dodge Challenger |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Dodge Challenger scored 77/100 and the 2023 Ford Mustang scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Challenger vs the Ford Mustang?
Dodge Challenger vs Ford Mustang: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Challenger more reliable than the Ford Mustang?
- Based on our data, the Dodge Challenger is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Challenger or the Ford Mustang?
- The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Dodge Challenger (14). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Challenger or the Ford Mustang?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Challenger has a lower complaint rate at 2.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.7 for the Ford Mustang. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Challenger or the Ford Mustang?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Dodge Challenger is cheaper to maintain at $650/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.
- Is the Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang safer?
- Both the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Dodge Challenger comparisons
Decided between Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue