Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Challenger

Dodge Challenger Years to Avoid

6 scored model years (2018–2023) · model average 74/100

No model year is one to avoid, since none falls well below the model's own average. What varies is volume: 2018 and 2019 drew the most owner complaints and recalls, while 2020 and 2021 rate highest. For a used purchase, 2020 is the year to buy.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2020 77/100
Model average
74/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Dodge Challenger Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

52 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: The Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen delaminates.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

26 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2023, 2021

2018: Most of these reports describe the same Uconnect screen delamination.

POWER TRAIN

17 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: The transmission throws warnings, refuses to engage in traffic, or shifts at random, including a drop from 8th to 3rd on a freeway.

STEERING

14 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018

2019: Wheel lockups and sudden loss of power assist strike during turns, merges, and lane changes, sometimes followed by a "steering wheel motion off" message, with no warning light beforehand.

AIR BAGS

13 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2018

2019: Airbags fail to deploy in serious crashes, including a 55 mph collision and a hard rear-end impact.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

10 complaints

Most reported in 2023

2023: Windshields crack with no impact point.

Best Dodge Challenger Year to Buy Instead

77
GoodReliability score: 77 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Dodge Challenger

Compared with 2018 and 2019, the 2020 model year has far fewer owner complaints and only one recall, against four and three for those years. It also rates among the highest and has been on the road long enough to judge. Watch for reports of sudden shutdowns and manual clutch failure.

Score: 77/100 (Good)1 recalls19 complaints
View full 2020reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2020 Dodge Challenger has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Dodge Challenger Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dodge Challenger years should I avoid?
None. The 2018 and 2019 model years rate lowest and carry the most complaints and recalls, but they still rate good. Inspect those two closely, and lean toward 2020 or 2021 if the price is close.
Which Dodge Challenger years have transmission problems?
Power train complaints show up across several years, including 2019, 2020, and 2021, so no single year is the culprit. Owners describe manual clutch failure, cars rolling in Park, and hard shifts on automatics. Test drive any car for clutch feel and shift quality.
Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger a bad year?
No, it rates good, but it is one of the two weakest years here. It has four recalls and 73 owner complaints, mostly electrical. Steering is the most reported named area after that. Ask for a full service history on a 2018.
Is the 2023 Dodge Challenger a good buy?
It rates good, but it drew more complaints than 2020 through 2022. The most reported area is wipers and visibility, and structure also appears. It has two recalls in the data. The 2020 model year remains the better-supported pick.
Is 2022 the best Dodge Challenger year because it has the fewest complaints?
Not necessarily. The 2022 model year has the fewest complaints, but newer years have had less time to collect them. The site recommends 2020, which has a longer record and still shows low complaint and recall counts.

How we score every Dodge Challenger model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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