2018 Dodge Charger Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on December 22nd, 2022 Author: Brian Jones

When it comes to powerful cars, the 2018 Dodge Charger is the one to beat. In fact, police forces around the country have driven this car, strictly for speed. With the newer models, the automaker claims that driving one gives the owner “bragging rights,” but research shows there is nothing to brag about. This muscle car is equipped with a defective engine, faulty electrical systems, a malfunctioning powertrain and a rust prone suspension.

NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Dodge Charger

Problems with the Engine

Since the engine is the most prominent feature of this car, it would only make sense that it would be a reliable component. Sadly, that is not the case.

Just look at this NHTSA complaint. “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle shook and shut off. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and towed to [dealer]. The dealer was unable to find any failures and stated that the vehicle was fine. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on the highway and the Check Engine Indicator illuminated. The contact waited twenty minutes before restarting the vehicle and then drove to [dealer]. The second dealer also found no failures with the vehicle. The contact called the warranty department with the manufacturer and was informed to take the vehicle back to the [first dealer]. The manufacturer also promised to try to get an extended warranty. The failure mileage was 5,000.”

Surely the automaker isn’t interested in anyone finding out that there are engine issues with this model. That’s why it’s difficult to find a single service bulletin related to power concerns. Instead, everything is kept extremely quiet in hopes that customers will find out aspects that give them “bragging rights.” The company’s plan is only backfiring as people take to the internet, attempting to figure out what’s wrong with this muscle car. It would have been far better for the reputation of the Charger if Dodge had taken care of the problems promptly.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Charger Steering Problems:

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 

MY DODGE HAS SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING TWICE AND EACH TIME WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.

Problems with the Electrical System

Part of what was causing the engine malfunction could have been related to the electrical system. That’s because this system is responsible for running just about everything in a vehicle. Plus, these critical components seem to have their own set of problems.

One NHTSA user illustrates this by stating, “Dodge Chrysler (and other auto manufacturers) have soy-based wiring installed in the newer cars. This is a safety issue as the soybean-based covering on the wires is also a rodent attractant meaning rodents are eating the wiring that connects the ABS brake system, fuel pressure system and other sensitive systems. Once the rodents chew completely through the wires the gas will shut off or the brakes will fail thus this will definitely cause an accident of some sort. Can we, the consumers live with this? No it costs us more money in the long run to repair the wiring issue that was caused by the auto manufacturer!”

This isn’t the only electrical problem that Dodge is dealing with. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V332000 documents a massive recall involving cruise control systems that cannot be disengaged. The problem stems from a short circuit in the wiring system and can easily result in an accident. It seems drivers have to either put up with rodents eating the Charger, or excessive speeds that can’t be turned off. Neither of these situations appears to be brag-worthy at all.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Charger Electrical Problems:

DODGE CHRYSLER (AND OTHER AUTO MANUFACTURERS) HAVE SOY BASED WIRING INSTALLED IN THE NEWER CARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SOYBEAN BASED COVERING ON THE WIRES IS ALSO A RODENT ATTRACTANT MEANING RODENTS ARE EATING THE WIRING THAT CONNECTS THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, FUEL PRESSURE SYSTEM AND OTHER SENSITIVE SYSTEMS. ONCE THE RODENTS CHEW COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WIRES THE GAS WILL SHUT OFF OR THE BRAKES WILL FAIL THUS THIS WILL DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OF SOME SORT. CAN WE, THE CONSUMERS LIVE WITH THIS? NO IT COSTS US MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN TO REPAIR THE WIRING ISSUE THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE AUTO MANUFACTURER!!!! WHAT RECOURSE DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE???

THE BACK CAMERA LAGS AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW HOURS. IT HAS MAJOR LAGS AND DISRUPTIONS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT DODGE IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT HASN’T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT YET

UCONNECT UNIT FAILURE ON NEW VEHICLE 16 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING. UCONNECT SPORADIC REBOOTING OF CENTER CONSOLE INCLUDING CLIMATE, RADIO, BACKUP CAMERA, PERFORMANCE GAUGES, AND REMOTE VEHICLE SERVICES. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

Problems with the Transmission

Again, we see massive defects with the powertrain on the Dodge Charger. Because multiple components make up the system, everything must work correctly to achieve the driving experience owners deserve. Because of the issues, drivers don’t receive what they paid for.

An Edmunds reviewer gives more insight by saying, “Car developed a problem at 100 miles and two days into owning it. Dealer – on Chrysler’s so so – has replaced a sensor, two oil pumps, a cam chain tensioner, a PCM, a radiator, and an engine wiring harness. Still not fixed. Car has been at dealer over a month now. Chrysler expects me to continue waiting. No other option. Just terrible customer service!”

While not all of these parts are included in the powertrain, it gets the point across. It’s clear to see the level of quality that the 2018 Dodge Charger was built with. Just look at NHTSA Campaign Number 18V281000, which illustrates another recall for the company. It appears that more than 14,000 police vehicles with all-wheel-drive and a V8 engine have a front driveshaft universal joint that could fracture and detach from the vehicle. Imagine being in a high-speed chase when this occurs. What a nightmare! It’s unlikely that any cops are bragging about their Chargers right now.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Charger Transmission Problems:

THE VEHICLE TRY TO CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY IT GOT STUCK IN DRIVE AND ONCE I GOT IT HOME WE HAD TO TAKE CABLES OFF BATTERY TO PUT CAR IN PARK THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK UP AND ALSO THE GEAR IS FLASHING WANT GO IN DRIVE

 IT TO THE DEALER LIKE FOUR TIMES AND THEY REPLACE A TRANSMISSION BUT IT STILL KEEPS DOING THE SAME NOISE, I DON’T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE IT AND THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A NORMAL SOUND BUT I TOOK IT TOY SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME AND WAS NOT NORMAL THEY DON’T WANT TO DO NOTHING TO FIX IT AND I DON’T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE

Problems with the Suspension

Since the 2018 Dodge Charger is set up for maximum speed, it only makes sense that it should have a stable and reliable suspension. Yet again, just because that’s what should happen, doesn’t mean it is true.

Another NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the suspension and most of the nuts and bolts on both front wheels were rusted. The vehicle was taken to [dealer] where it was confirmed that the parts were corroded. The technician stated that a claim would be filed. The contact was not called back. The contact was not sure whether the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40.”

If it had only been one person that stated this information, it might be a fluke, but that’s not the case. Various boards are riddled with comments stating the same situations around the country. Again, Dodge has nothing to say about this, but there is one statement that has been made that shows the level of care put into the construction of the Charger. Service Bulletin #23-041-17 asserts that the wrong Hellcat emblems were installed on front fenders. If an automaker can’t get something as simple as this correct, there is certainly nothing worth bragging about. In fact, Dodge should be hiding right now because it is an embarrassment.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 Dodge Charger Suspension Problems:

FRONT SUSPENSION HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. RUST IS EATING OUT THE MATERIAL, CAN POSSIBLY BREAK AND CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE PART.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, MY BRAND NEW 2018 DODGE CHARGER HAS SUSPENSION RUSTING ISSUES. PRETTY UPSET HOW A BRAND NEW CAR CAN HAVE THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN MY DREAM CAR TO OWN SUCH VEHICLE AND TO SEE THIS ISSUE MAKES ME THINK TWICE ABOUT DODGE. IT ONLY HAD 1,200 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE ISSUE WAS NOTICED.

Your Lemon Law Legal Rights

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Dodge pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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