Last updated: 2026-05-15

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Dodge Challenger and the Toyota Supra? 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 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Dodge Challenger and Toyota Supra Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Dodge Challenger is transitioning from its third generation (2008–2023), which saw significant facelifts in 2015 and 2021. This long production run suggests that the platform became well-sorted over time, with later models likely benefiting from improved reliability compared to earlier ones. In contrast, the Toyota Supra is in its fifth generation (2019–2023). Being relatively newer, this generation might still face early lifecycle issues typically associated with new platforms. However, any teething problems from its initial release would likely have been addressed by now, making recent models potentially more reliable. Buyers should consider the Challenger's mature platform for proven reliability and the Supra's newer design for more current technology.

Verdict

The Dodge Challenger is more reliable than the Toyota Supra, scoring 74/100 vs 69/100.

The Dodge Challenger and the Toyota Supra present a close reliability comparison, with the Challenger edging out slightly due to its higher average reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Supra's 69/100. Despite having more recalls, the Challenger has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 2.5 per 10,000 units versus the Supra's 14.2, indicating fewer issues per vehicle sold. However, the Supra benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $526, compared to the Challenger's $650. Overall, the Challenger's better reliability rating and lower complaint rate make it a slightly more reliable choice, although the Supra's lower repair costs may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Supra costs $124 less per year to repair
  2. 2Dodge Challenger has 11.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Dodge Challenger scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Dodge Challenger
1Toyota Supra
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair Frequency

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricDodge ChallengerToyota Supra
Reliability Score74/10069/100
Years Tracked67
Total Recalls1417
Complaints per 10k Sold2.514.2
Annual Repair Cost$650/yr$526/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.3/yr
Year Wins40

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Challenger and Toyota Supra?

The Dodge Challenger exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with a significant focus on the electrical system, which accounts for 52 issues, including 4 linked to crashes. Notably, the Challenger's air bags present a severe concern with 13 complaints, 9 of which are crash-linked, indicating a critical safety issue. In contrast, the Toyota Supra has considerably fewer total complaints, with the most frequent being in the electrical system (10 complaints) and engine (7 complaints), showing no crash-linked incidents for these categories. While both models report steering-related issues, the Challenger's broader range of problems, particularly in safety-critical components like air bags, suggests a more concerning reliability profile compared to the Supra.

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra common problem areas comparison
ComponentDodge ChallengerToyota Supra
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.6Very Low3.5Average
ENGINENone2.4Low
STEERING0.2Very Low1.7Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.1Very Low1.7Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.4Very Low0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.2Very LowNone
AIR BAGS0.2Very LowNone
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very LowNone
WHEELS0.1Very LowNone
SUSPENSION0.1Very LowNone
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNoneNone
STRUCTURENoneNone
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNoneNone
SEATSNoneNone
TIRESNoneNone
SEAT BELTSNoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Challenger or Toyota Supra?

Industry estimates show that the Dodge Challenger has an annual repair cost of $650, with a repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year and a 14% risk of major repairs. Over five years, this translates to $3,250 in repair expenses. In contrast, the Toyota Supra has a lower annual repair cost of $526, but a slightly higher repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year. This results in $2,630 over the same period, without specified major repair risk. For cost-conscious buyers, the Toyota Supra offers better value due to lower overall repair costs. Although it requires more frequent visits, the absence of a major repair risk percentage suggests potentially fewer costly surprises.

How Does Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra year-by-year reliability scores
YearDodge ChallengerToyota SupraEdge
202375/1002R / 38C69/1002R / 5CDodge Challenger
202274/1002R / 8C68/1002R / 1CDodge Challenger
202175/1002R / 17C64/1005R / 19CDodge Challenger
202077/1001R / 19C63/1008R / 15CDodge Challenger

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Dodge Challenger scored 77/100 and the 2023 Toyota Supra scored 69/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Challenger vs the Toyota Supra?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Challenger might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 74/100 compared to the Toyota Supra's 69/100, and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (2.5 versus 14.2), the Challenger offers a more dependable experience. Although it has a slightly higher estimated annual repair cost of $650, its lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year suggests less frequent visits to the mechanic. On the other hand, if you are looking for a vehicle with lower annual repair costs, the Toyota Supra could be appealing. With an estimated annual repair cost of $526 and a broader focus on performance, the Supra might suit enthusiasts willing to trade off some reliability for potentially lower running costs. However, be prepared for more frequent visits to the repair shop with a repair frequency of 0.3 per year and a higher number of recalls (17 in total).

Dodge Challenger vs Toyota Supra: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Challenger more reliable than the Toyota Supra?
Based on our data, the Dodge Challenger is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Challenger or the Toyota Supra?
The Toyota Supra has more recalls (17) 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 Toyota Supra?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Challenger has a lower complaint rate at 2.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 14.2 for the Toyota Supra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Challenger or the Toyota Supra?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Supra is cheaper to maintain at $526/year versus $650/year for the Dodge Challenger.

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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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.

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