NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
This page covers 6 recalls, 191 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Dodge Challenger.
18–21 mpg combined
11.2–13.1 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
The 2011 Dodge Challenger draws the most owner complaints around its electrical system, which accounts for the single largest share of reported issues. Owners frequently describe unexpected stalls and complete power loss while driving at highway speeds, often with no warning lights beforehand or a sudden cluster of unfamiliar warning lights appearing at the moment of failure. Charging system problems are also commonly reported, with owners describing battery warning lights and alternators that fail repeatedly. Instrument cluster issues come up as well, with dashboard lighting going dark and gauges becoming unreadable at night. The second most reported area involves airbags. On the engine side, a recurring pattern involves timing chain failures leading to sudden loss of power while driving, with several owners reporting the engine sustained damage as a result.
191
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
8
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Dodge Challenger has 6 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger frontal airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, with a real risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag inflator issue has been the subject of multiple recall campaigns over the years, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve it for all affected vehicles, which is why it appears more than once here. The core danger is the same across all of them: excessive pressure inside the inflator can cause it to rupture violently rather than deploy normally.
On the electrical side, certain Challengers can experience a sudden alternator failure, and the consequences split in two directions. First, the engine can stall without warning, cutting drive power and disabling safety systems like stability control and power-assisted brakes. Second, the alternator can short circuit internally and start a fire. This alternator concern applies to vehicles equipped with either a 3.6L engine or a 5.7L engine paired with an electro-hydraulic power steering system, and the affected units include 160, 180, and 220 amp alternator configurations. Losing the alternator mid-drive means the vehicle can go dark quickly, with no warning lights, reduced braking assist, and no steering boost if the power steering system is electrically driven.
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The driver's frontal air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure during deployment and rupture or explode.
What the fix does
The passenger frontal air bag inflator will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The alternator may suddenly fail on certain vehicles with electro-hydraulic power steering, potentially causing the engine to stall, loss of power, disabled safety systems, and possible fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will check your alternator's part number and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The alternator may suddenly fail in vehicles with electro-hydraulic power steering, 5.7L or 3.6L engines, and 160, 180, or 220 amp alternators.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your alternator and replace it if necessary at no charge, based on the part number.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger frontal air bag inflator may fail or deploy unexpectedly, potentially injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The alternator in some vehicles with 3.6L engines and 160 amp output alternators may suddenly fail, stopping the engine and disabling safety systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the alternator with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
