Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the wipers and visibility, electrical, and body and structure. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Dodge Challenger: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
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.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 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-cylGas | AWD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cylGas | RWD | 19 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cylGas | RWD | 16 mpg |
| 6.4L 8-cylGas | RWD | 18 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cylFlex fuel | RWD | 13 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Brake pads crumbling after sitting
1,000–1,200 miles
Spontaneous windshield stress cracks
2,321–9,200 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Dodge Challenger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Windshields crack with no impact point. The crack starts at the driver or passenger A-pillar and runs inward, often about a foot long. It shows up while the car is parked, when a door opens, while turning a corner, or when crossing uneven pavement. Some cracks spread within an hour and cross the driver's line of sight. Several cars cracked within days of purchase, and one at 38,000 miles. Owners report denied warranty claims and paying for new glass themselves. One separate complaint describes a large blind spot from the flat driver-side mirror.
The backup camera turns glitchy or shows a "camera system not available" message, which removes rear visibility when reversing. The fault returns after dealer repair, and some dealers cannot diagnose it. On manual-transmission Hellcats, air conditioning stops working when the car is stationary in heat above 90 degrees. Dodge reportedly knows about the problem but has given no timeline for a fix. A mechanic also reports that replacement modules ordered by part number do not match what the car needs, which complicates repairs.
Windshields crack outward from the A-pillar with no stone chip or prior damage. It happens with the car parked, sometimes just from opening a door. Cracks appear very early, including under 3000 miles. Some cars have gone through a second or third windshield, so replacement glass can crack again. Owners blame body flex and poor bonding of the glass, though the data does not confirm a cause. One car sat undrivable while the dealer arranged a frame check, so expect long downtime if this happens.
Front brake pads crumble and stick to the rotors after the car sits unused for about a week. Drivers hear a pop when pulling away, then a clunk or severe wheel shudder. Pieces of pad material fuse to the rotors on both sides and can groove them. Reports come from nearly new cars at around 1,000 to 1,200 miles. Other complaints describe clicking when reversing or turning at low speed. Another says the brake lines melted against the exhaust manifold, and the car could not be repaired because the part was unavailable.
The front passenger seat fails to lock in place, whether the car is moving or parked. When someone uses the easy-entry handle to reach the rear seat, the passenger seat does not return to its set position. Instead it slides along the rails to the end stop. It can slam into the knees of the person sitting behind it and cause injury. The fault happens no matter where the seat was positioned before.
Traction control switches on and off by itself without the driver touching the button. It happens both at stoplights and while driving. Separately, the display does not show the set speed for cruise control or adaptive cruise control. It also shows nothing when the speed is raised or lowered. Drivers have to count button presses to know their set speed, which can distract them and lead them to set a higher speed than intended.
Excerpts from complaints Challenger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
On March 25, 2025, the windshield in the vehicle spontaneously cracked, while parked and unattended, beginning from about midway down on the driver side A-pillar. This seems to be a known and repeated issue with windshields on the Dodge Challenger. Inspected by the dealership who stated that they had seen the issue before and agreed that it was obviously not struck with anything. Dodge (Stellantis) denied warranty claim.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
Within two days of owning the car the windshield cracked. I was backing out of garage and heard a sound, a crack appeared on the passenger side of windshield midway up. It extended horizontally approx 12" toward the center of windshield. Have heard multiple other customers have had the same issue.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2024
2023 Dodge Challenger was parked and not running. Opened driver's door and windshield cracked from pillar on passenger side. No prior stone chips, no prior cracks. Car had less than 3000 miles when crack occurred. Appears that windshield was not properly bonded to the vehicle. Paid Safelite $348.03 for windshield replacement.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
Windshield stress crack. From driver side A pillar across the windshield. Widely known factory defect issue. Causing many windshield replacements. No impact, no chips. This was due to improper bonding of the windshield during manufacturing, and body flex of the vehicle.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
As described in the 05-001-22 bulletin, my brakes are making a clicking noise when reversing or turning at low speeds. A bulletin has been issued for every year except 2023 (my car’s year) for the same issue.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks third for owner complaints among 6 Challenger years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the 16th model year of the Challenger's third generation (2008–2023).
It includes the 2021 update.
What changed for 2021
Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The left rear seat back may not lock in the upright position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems.".
Risk: A seat back that is not locked into position can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and adjust the seat back latch striker as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 38B.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger vehicles. The parking brake may be improperly adjusted, which can result in a vehicle roll away. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems.".
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will properly adjust the parking brake, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 01B.
Cars shoppers compare with the Dodge Challenger, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
