2018 Dodge Challenger: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, steering, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 73
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 9
- 8 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2018 Dodge Challenger: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Challenger is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Dodge Challenger. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | RWD | 19 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | RWD | 16 mpg |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | RWD | 18 mpg |
- The 2018 Dodge Challenger was sold in four versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Challenger that averages well under the EPA 16 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Dodge Challenger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical252 crashes
The Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen delaminates. Bubbles form, then the screen starts "ghost touching" itself. It turns the heat and volume all the way up, places calls, and switches screens while the car is moving. Other reports describe a frozen screen that only works again after a restart, USB and CarPlay dropouts, and power windows that cycle up and down or quit. Some owners report the battery draining while the car sits, and an idle that hangs so the car won't slow down. Two reports involve crashes. One describes a fire on the passenger floorboard of a parked car.
Steering62 crashes
Power steering assist cuts out suddenly. A "Power Steering Assist" service message appears, and the wheel becomes very hard to turn. In one case, at 20,000 miles, the dealer traced it to a failed power steering module. Other reports describe the steering wheel and accelerator pedal vibrating at low speed, and the vibration came back after wheel balancing and new tires. One owner reports a loose intermediate shaft after a front-end collision repair, followed by a spin-out. Two complaints are crash-related, with one injury, and describe loss of control.
Transmission6No crashes
On manual cars, the clutch can fail. The shifter sticks in gear at first. Then the clutch breaks apart with a loud bang and constant chattering, leaving only neutral, at around 25,000 miles. Owners say the dealer called it normal wear. On automatics, owners report the car rolling while in Park, the shifter slipping into neutral by itself, and hard bangs when shifting between gears. In one report the car stalled at a stoplight and could not be shifted out of gear, so it had to be towed.
Wheels and tires5No crashes
The rims crack along their inside edges, and the tires slowly lose air. Owners first notice it as a tire that keeps going flat. Reports come at about 40,000 and 75,000 miles, and one owner found a crack on a car less than two years old. One owner says the cracks formed after driving over bumps and rough pavement. One complaint describes the driver's side wheel coming off while driving, and the cause was never diagnosed. Owners report little help from the dealer or manufacturer.
Airbags43 crashes
The airbags fail to deploy in serious collisions. There are three crash reports and five injuries, covering front, side, and rear impacts, including a crash that ended against a utility pole. One of these failures came at about 16,000 miles. In a separate complaint, the side airbag was visible through a seam when the driver's door was opened. The dealer said the repair was not covered under warranty. None of these reports includes a confirmed cause.
Suspension31 crash
There are only three reports here, and they don't share a pattern. One new car had rusted front control arms at a few thousand miles, and the dealer said other Chargers and Challengers on the lot looked the same. In another report, a front axle broke during a slow left turn, and that complaint is crash-related. A third car stalled and later needed a new transmission, rear differential, axle, and stabilizer bar.
Exterior lights3No crashes
Moisture collects inside the inner taillight assembly. Owners say the dealer would not cover it under warranty, and that other owners report the lights quitting afterward. One report describes headlights that keep dimming even after the bulbs were replaced 5 times, making night driving hard. Another owner found the headlights aimed unevenly, and the dealer traced it to earlier accident damage. With only three complaints, there is no strong pattern.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Challenger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The vehicle was parked in driveway sat for 10minutes then the headlights started flashing on and off when we got near the car they stopped we move the away lights would go again. So we opened doors to find the front passenger floorboard and edge of front passenger seat begin to burn. At this point we have not been told a cause of the fire. I surance and chrysler corporate are looking into it
Filed with NHTSA, August 2022
Control of the car electric safety equipment is compromised by the Uconnect system - delaminating of touch screen. This seems like a know issue and the faulty screen should be recalled.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Backing out of the garage, instrument panel lit up with “Power Steering Assist Off - Service System” message. Car very difficult to turn now. Code scan shows code CC2217-00
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
How the 2018 compares with other Challenger years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 6 Challenger years we cover, about 2.7 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical255
- Steering62
- Transmission62
- Wheels and tires51
- Airbags42
- Suspension31
Where the 2018 fits in the Challenger's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the 11th model year of the Challenger's third generation (2008–2023).
It includes the 2015 update.
What changed for 2015
- Updated design and features.
Recalls to confirm (4)
Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
18V524000ElectricalAug 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
18E053000TransmissionJul 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
18V332000ElectricalMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
18V280000TransmissionMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
Also looking at these instead of a Challenger?
Cars shoppers compare with the Dodge Challenger, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
- Audi A56
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