2018 Dodge Charger: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, body and structure, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 121
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 6 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 Charger: 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
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
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 Charger is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Dodge Charger. 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 |
| 3.6L 6-cylFlex fuel | AWD, RWD | 21–23 mpg |
- The 2018 Dodge Charger was sold in five 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 Charger that averages well under the EPA 16 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
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.
Uconnect touchscreen phantom touches
5,000–6,900 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Dodge Charger, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical44No crashes
The Uconnect 8.4 touchscreen delaminates and starts registering phantom touches. It changes stations, adjusts heat and air conditioning, places calls and beeps with clock-setting prompts. Navigation, climate controls and the backup camera can freeze or drop out. Some screens fail as early as 5,000 to 6,900 miles, and the trouble often appears right after the 3-year warranty ends. Dealers quote over $2,000 to replace the unit. Fewer reports describe a no-start with the shifter locked in park, headlight fuses that keep melting, or the dash going dark and steering locking while driving.
Body and structure18No crashes
Interior door panels warp, peel and pull away from the door frame, usually near the window. Foam and wiring show through. The problem often spreads to two, three or all four doors. A lifted panel can misalign the lock button and interfere with door controls. Reported mileages run from 21,000 to 75,000. Dealers typically call it a known issue but decline warranty coverage, and some charge just to inspect it. Single reports describe an outside door handle that stopped opening and a broken trunk latch that suppressed the trunk-open warning.
Transmission91 crash
Transmission complaints dominate. Owners describe dropping rpm followed by hard upshifts, a rocking noise in reverse, paddle upshifts that downshift instead, and a car stuck in drive with a flashing gear indicator. One car kept making noise after the transmission was replaced. Some cars stall without warning and need several restart attempts, while dealers find no fault codes. A repetitive thud at low speed persisted after a driveshaft replacement. One report describes the steering pulling, a check engine light and sparks under the car. One complaint involves a crash.
Airbags52 crashes
In two crashes, some airbags did not deploy. The steering wheel and knee airbags stayed stowed in a rollover, and the passenger lower airbag stayed stowed in a frontal pole impact. Those crashes account for 3 injuries. Other owners worry about door panels that pull away and expose the side airbag to heat and weather. One report describes the airbag warning light coming on with no accident or impact.
Wheels and tires41 crash
A front driver-side control arm broke at highway speed and the car hit a wall. That is the one crash in this group. Repeated low tire pressure warnings led one owner to a cracked rear rim, and the dealer cited a national backorder on replacement rims. Other reports describe slow leaks blamed on poorly coated wheels, and shaking under braking downhill or at speed that persisted after new brakes and rotors.
Steering4No crashes
Power steering assist cuts out suddenly, often while turning at low speed, and a steering warning light comes on. The fix in these reports is replacing the electric steering rack or power steering unit. Without assist, the car takes heavy effort to turn but can still be driven. One complaint filed here actually describes a frozen touchscreen along with headlight and backup camera problems.
Suspension4No crashes
Front suspension parts, nuts and bolts show heavy rust on nearly new cars. Reports note it at 40 and 1,200 miles. Dealers confirm the corrosion but have not replaced the parts. Owners fear the rusted parts could break. One more serious report describes clinking at 60-62 mph, then a sudden pull to the right and a spin. A mechanic traced it to a fractured driveshaft bolt, and a front wheel had come off.
Brakes21 crash
Two reports, both serious. In one, the brakes failed to stop the car with the pedal pressed hard, and it rear-ended another vehicle. That crash accounts for 3 injuries. In the other, the automatic braking system activated on its own at various speeds around 15,000 miles, and a shop's diagnosis came back inconclusive.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Charger owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
uConnect system (stereo/radio) is ghost touching and is impairing my driving as it’ll automatically blast my A/C or heat , or worse calls people in my contacts list who I wouldn’t call.. causing me to worry more about my stereo/phone more than driving. It turns my heat up on high as well as my heated seat in the 100 degree weather. Changes my radio stations at a rapid rate and removes my backup camera and other features while I am driving.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
The touchscreen is delaminating and causing ghost touches which then causes a message to keep popping up asking: Do you want to adjust your clock settings? This message comes with a beeping noise and does not go away. It is very annoying and interferes with listening to music or even trying to touch anything on the screen. Sometimes I cant even adjust climate settings.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2022
Inside door panels started to separate from the door, this is causing my power locks malfunction on the driver side (the separation is causing a lock button to misalign with the hole in the door panel). This started approximately 2 weeks ago. This problem started with the driver side door and has now affected 3 of the for doors in the car. Of course it happened about 4 months past the 3 year Dodge warranty period.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2021
Interior door panels are peeling apart, causing the inside of the door to be shown. This looks to be a manufacturing issue. The remedy should be to repair the panels or replace them. This is a known issue within the community of owners so I feel that this should be recalled. The problem is present on all 4 door panels.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2021
Unknown . Nothing appeared and there was no warning. Should I have been warned? There was no warnings or anything to prevent me from crashing except to make the best decision possible and crash into a less dangerous position.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
The transmission is completely out but the vehicle is fairly new. I saw that there is a recall on the transmission on some vehicles but I’m not sure if mine is on that list.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
Issues with the door panel coming loose where my air bag is. Both of my front door panels are coming loose and this is a safety concern I have.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
How the 2018 compares with other Charger 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 8 Charger years we cover, about 3.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical446
- Body and structure181
- Transmission92
- Airbags513
- Wheels and tires40
- Steering41
Where the 2018 fits in the Charger's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the eighth model year of the Charger's seventh generation (2011–2023).
It includes the 2015 update.
What changed for 2015
- Significant exterior styling updates
- New front end with new LED lights.
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Dodge dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
24V198000AirbagsMar 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
20V512000Backup cameraAug 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors.".
Risk: The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.
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.
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.
18V281000TransmissionMay 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
Also looking at these instead of a Charger?
Cars shoppers compare with the Dodge Charger, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
- Buick LaCrosse12
- Nissan Maxima36
- 2018 Dodge Charger121
- Chrysler 300151
- Nissan Altima217
- Toyota Camry708
- Honda Accord1,739
