Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 74/100

Skip the 2018 model year. Its Uconnect touchscreen acts on its own and fails early, and interior door panels peel off the frame, which drove 121 owner complaints. The 2023 is the better buy, with far fewer complaints per car sold, though its transmission reports deserve a close look.

Verdict

Avoid
2018 69/100
Buy
2023 76/100
Model average
74/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Dodge Charger Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Dodge Charger average of 74/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201869/100Good6121Electrical System (44)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

69
GoodReliability score: 69 out of 100, rated Good

2018 Dodge Charger

Owners describe the Uconnect 8.4 screen delaminating and changing stations or climate settings by itself, with some failures at 5,000 to 6,900 miles. Dealers quote over $2,000 for a new unit. Door panels also warp and pull away, and dealers often decline warranty coverage for them.

6 recalls121 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (44), Unknown Or Other (22), Structure (18), Power Train (9), Air Bags (5), Steering (4)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Dodge Charger Problems?

AIR BAGS

98 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2020, 2021

2019: No deployment in serious crashes is the most alarming pattern.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

85 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: The Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen delaminates and starts registering phantom touches.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

41 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Most of these reports describe the same failing touchscreen.

STRUCTURE

23 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Interior door panels warp, peel and pull away from the door frame, usually near the window.

POWER TRAIN

22 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2023, 2021

2018: Transmission complaints dominate.

STEERING

14 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2023

2019: Power steering assist drops out while driving and leaves the wheel very hard to turn.

Best Dodge Charger Year to Buy Instead

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good

2023 Dodge Charger

Among years on the road at least two years, 2023 shows far fewer complaints per car sold than 2018, and fewer recalls. It does not repeat the 2018 screen and door panel failures. It is not clean, though. Owners report transmission hesitation and some stalls, so test drive one carefully.

Score: 76/100 (Good)2 recalls22 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Dodge Charger has 2 recalls 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 Charger Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Dodge Charger year should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has the most complaints of any year, led by touchscreen failures and warping door panels, and it carries 6 recalls, the most of any year tracked.
Which Dodge Charger years have transmission problems?
The clearest transmission complaints come from the 2018 and 2023 model years. The 2018 owners describe hard upshifts and a car stuck in drive. The 2023 owners report a 2 to 4 second hesitation after shifting from reverse to drive.
Is the 2023 Dodge Charger a good year to buy?
It is the site pick, with a low complaint rate and only 2 recalls. Still, check it closely. Owners report transmission hesitation, stalls in motion, and a sticking accelerator pedal in two complaints that both involve crashes.
Is the 2025 Dodge Charger a safe buy?
It is not on the avoid list, but it is among the lowest-rated years. Its 10 complaints give a high rate per car sold, mostly electrical. It also has 2 recalls. Check recall status and the infotainment before you buy.
Are the 2019 and 2020 Chargers better than the 2018?
They are better, with fewer complaints and recalls than the 2018. Air bags lead both years, with 47 complaints in 2019 and 33 in 2020. Electrical complaints also continue, so a 2021 or 2023 is the safer used choice.

How we score every Dodge Charger 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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