AI Damage2021 Dodge Charger: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Dodge Charger filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. The maker issued 303 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 35
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 303
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 46% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 16 complaints (46% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Engine: 3 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 100.
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 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 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 35 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 1 | 49 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Driving home from work when my vehicle lost control, when trying to steer my steering wheel straight the rear end of my vehicle locked up and ended up in a guard rail , there was nothing in the road or any pedestrian or other cars I have no idea what caused my car to lock up but I don’t know what caused my car to lock…
[dealer] service department has diagnosed the vehicle with an active, leaking fuel pump assembly and provided a repair estimate of $1,600.00. Stellantis Corporate has offered a "goodwill" gesture of only $200.00, leaving me with a $1,400.00 out-of-pocket bill.
[XXX] Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, located in [XXX] performed an airbag recall on my vehicle. The vehicle was put back together incorrectly, and the headliner, rearview mirror, and sunglass holder are all hanging loose. The driver's line of sight is obstructed in the rearview mirror because of the parts hanging loose.
The contact stated that the sound was audible through the window, which the contact associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V516000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the recall repairs remained incomplete. The VIN was previously related to the recalls.
Rear doors cannot be opened from the inside when the child proof locks are in the open position, or the locked position. They can only be opened for the inside when unlocked from the drivers unlock panel.
The contact stated that while installing the car seats in the rear of the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s side and passenger’s side rear seat belts would loosen unintendedly while attempting to fasten the seat belts.
Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too much, my car won't accelerate..I got it repaired once and it…
The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and noticed that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired.
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 1,018 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Charger has 57 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 35, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
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
- Flash
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)…
- 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)
- SPEAKER - NONE
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS Related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- D-25-17 Rev
A ALL Model Years 2019 - 2021 VF, DS, LA, LD and LX with a 3.6L Engine for Camshaft and/or Rocker Arm Replacements
- ID-25-14 Rev
A ALL Model Years 2019 - 2021 VF, DS, LA, LD and LX with a 3.6L Engine for Camshaft and/or Rocker Arm Replacements
- 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
- Intermittent Uconnect Box Requires Service Message
TBM Setting Stored Or Pending DTCs B22A9, B1560, B1561, B1562
NHTSA lists 303 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 2021 Dodge Charger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, visibility. Total complaints: 35. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: hesitation when accelerating (6%), headlights and tail lights (6%), won't start (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA lists 303 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 2021 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 2021 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.