AI Damage2018 Dodge Charger: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Dodge Charger filed 122 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. The maker issued 238 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 122
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 238
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 37% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 45 complaints (37% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 81.
- Structure: 19 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Engine: 11 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (5% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 6.2 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 6.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 122 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 45 | 0 | 81 |
| Structure | 19 | 1 | 12 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 1 | 35 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I rear ended another vehicle because my brakes failed. I had both feet pushing on the brake pedal and my brakes failed to stop my vehicle. They did not lock up or anything I rolled right into another vehicle. I see a lot of chargers that are crashed in the front just like mine.
I was involved in a single vehicle car accident. I was traveling westbound on hwy 80 in truckee, ca in rain/snow weather conditions. The car began to slide and turned sideways going down an incline. The front of my car hit a guard rail almost head on at 60+ mph. The hit then cause my vehicle to roll three times.
I was driving on the highway and the front drivers side control arm had broke on me causing me to run into the wall on the highway. I was just sending this to document the incident. Thank you.
There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the wheel bearings were replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was uncontrollable.
Check engine light came on both instances one causing issues with inspection the other with emissions test and I had to replace the vapor canister on both in order to fix my issues delayed the process in getting my vehicle registered by the state.
The unconnected touch screen spazzes out and I am unable to use it. I can’t even turn it off and the light flashing from it affects my eyes while driving at night.
I keep same radio station on every tab so when it skips around, it at least stays on the same station. Only thing that works. If not recalled, Stellantis should at least bear some of the cost (not to make a profit) to assist in the replacement
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 495 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Charger has 57 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 122, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward…
The Customer May Complain About a Popping Noise, Grinding Noise, or an Intermittent No Reverse or Forward Transmission Engagement. The Tech May Find Damaged and/or Worn Transmission Output Shaft Splines (850RE…
- Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may…
- Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00,…
Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00, B1A16-00, and B1A17-00 in The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
- Verify "Z" part number availability. Order a "Z" part number for all Exchange Orders
Warranty, Mopar, Customer pay and Service contract. Order"68" part number for New unsold units only
- PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
- Engine Oil Leak
- Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range
Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
- "Washer Light On And Will Not Turn Off After Adding Washer Solvent."
- AIR BAG - SIDE CURTAIN
- PUMP – WATER & CONNECTOR - OIL COOLER TUBE
- SOS and Assistance Call Not Working After Radio Exchange Unit Installed
NHTSA lists 238 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Dodge Charger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, engine. Total complaints: 122. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (38%), rear-view camera (7%), warning lights, check engine (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA lists 238 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Dodge Charger from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.