The Dodge Challenger Years To Avoid
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The Dodge Challenger, synonymous with American muscle and performance, has been a staple in the automotive industry for decades. Known for its aggressive retro-styling, powerful engine options, and thrilling driving experience, the Challenger has certainly earned a permanent place for itself in the hearts of car enthusiasts.
One of the key reasons behind the Challenger’s popularity is its unapologetic commitment to the muscle car ethos. Unlike many contemporaries that have transitioned towards more subdued designs, the Challenger proudly flaunts its aggressive, retro-inspired aesthetics. It’s no wonder it resonates beautifully with those who appreciate the bygone era of American muscle cars.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE DODGE CHALLENGER
Read on to learn more about the most reliable Dodge Challenger year available, the general reliability of the machine, and other critical information.
Through and through, the Dodge Challenger is a muscle sports car, thanks to its available options of potent engines – from the competent V6 to the monstrous supercharged V8s found in the Hellcat models. For pure straight-line performance, it’s hard to argue with the Challenger’s results.
However, like any vehicle, it’s not without its share of issues and concerns – and some years are more reliable than others. As usual, we highlight the Dodge Challenger years to avoid pre-owned buyers and offer insights into why they must be approached cautiously.
Which Dodge Challenger Years to Avoid?
According to RepairPal, the Dodge Challenger has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, placing 19th out of 24 midsize cars. With that said, below are the worst Challenger years to avoid due to reported issues and many complaints.
- 2010 Dodge Challenger
- 2012 Dodge Challenger
- 2013 Dodge Challenger
- 2014 Dodge Challenger
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2010 Dodge Challenger
The 2010 Dodge Challenger gets an “Avoid” from us due to its sheer number of complaints. CarComplaints.com has listed 442 complaints and seven recalls for the 2010 Challenger.
For the 2010 Dodge Challenger, premature timing chain failure has been reported by owners, typically around the 68,000-mile mark. One owner said that their Challenger suddenly lost all power while driving on the expressway, and the dealer later confirmed that the timing chain had broken. Another owner’s vehicle stopped running, and upon inspection at the dealership, it was discovered that the timing chain had broken. Like many engine-related issues, most owner accounts resulted in high repair costs.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received numerous complaints about the Challenger’s electrical systems. One of the main issues reported is related to the ignition switch. It was reported that the ignition key could not be removed from the ignition, which led to the battery discharging.
Other reported electrical problems include issues with the alternator/generator/regulator and the rear compartment/trunk wiring. As such, we highly recommend skipping the 2010 Challenger.
2012 Dodge Challenger
CarComplaints has declared the 2012 Challenger the worst model year of the muscle sports car. With 398 complaints and six recalls, the 2012 Challenger ranks as one of the most problematic iterations of the vehicle.
One of its top reliability problems, with 14 written complaints, is the faulty alternator. Several owners have reported that their alternator failed while driving, causing the car to shut down completely. This led to dangerous situations, such as the car shutting down in the middle of an intersection or on a busy highway. Another owner claimed their alternator caught fire, and they had to disconnect the battery to prevent the car from catching fire.
Moreover, the 2012 Challenger also struggled with electrical issues. The NHTSA lists 136 complaints related to the electrical system of this model year. A complainant said they experienced a persistent issue where their car’s window autonomously moved up and down. After a repair shop fixed the door lock actuator, the problem shifted from the passenger to the driver’s side, causing a battery drain.
Overall, the 2012 Challenger is easily one of the least reliable versions of this classic muscle car and must be avoided by used car buyers.
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2013 Dodge Challenger
The 2013 Dodge Challenger is not as unreliable as the previous years, but it has its fair share of issues would-be buyers should be aware of. CarComplaints has documented 271 complaints and five recalls for the 2013 Challenger.
As for its main issue, the 2013 Challenger struggled with a bad TIPM. For the uninitiated, the TIPM is an important component that controls and distributes power to all of the vehicle’s electrical functions. Having said that, fans of the Challenger have reported a range of experiences with this issue. Some have had problems with the car not starting or stopping while driving, while others have said multiple engine warning lights and fault codes and problems with the car’s windows and key fobs.
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2014 Dodge Challenger
Lastly, 2014 is perhaps the most reliable in this list of the worst Dodge Challenger years to avoid. CarComplaints says that the 2014 Challenger has accumulated 229 complaints and five recalls. Unfortunately, some of its problems are quite severe and expensive to fix.
Many owners have reported hearing constant ticking noises coming from the engine. The engine ticking noise is described as a loud valve train ticking or chattering noise, similar to a sewing machine, and can be heard at highway speeds. Experiences were varied regarding this issue. Some have had the problem addressed by the dealer, with procedures such as removing tabs left on the lifters during assembly, replacing the lifters, or even engine replacement. Unfortunately, in some cases, the ticking noise often persists even after these repairs.
On the other hand, the 2014 Challenger also grappled with widespread electrical problems. From the alternator to the A/C to the speedometer, many owners have bemoaned their Challenger’s faulty electrical system. One person reported a persistent issue involving the speedometer, which fluctuates and drops from the driving speed to zero once the engine has warmed up. This problem is particularly pronounced when driving at highway speeds.
With these severe issues, we regrettably can’t recommend the 2014 Dodge Challenger.
If you’re considering a 2014 Dodge Challenger, be aware of its potential electrical and engine issues. It certainly won’t hurt to have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic.
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