NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
This page covers 7 recalls, 122 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Dodge Charger.
18–23 mpg combined
10.2–13.1 L/100km
Large 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 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical complaints make up the largest share of what 2018 Dodge Charger owners report, followed by a notable cluster around structural concerns. On the electrical side, owners frequently describe backup camera failures, the screen going blue or blank and not recovering even after resets or service visits, along with headlight fuse problems where the fuse for the HID headlights melts repeatedly, causing the lights to cut out. The structural complaints center on unusual sounds and body-related issues, with several owners reporting repetitive thudding noises while driving that persist even after repairs like wheel bearing replacement. The powertrain complaint count is lower, with owners describing check engine light illumination paired with steering feel concerns. The headlight fuse issue stands out because owners describe it as a recurring failure rather than a one-time event, with the fuse melting again after replacement.
122
Total Complaints
5
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Dodge Charger has 7 recalls, the most serious being curtain airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
Two recalls cover the same underlying airbag defect, and prior repair attempts may not have fully resolved the issue for all affected vehicles. On the drivetrain side, a recall affects all-wheel drive V8 models used as pursuit police vehicles: the front driveshaft universal joint can seize or fracture, causing the shaft to drop from the vehicle and become a road hazard. A separate transmission recall involves an incorrectly installed park lock rod that can prevent the transmission from fully engaging Park, leaving the vehicle free to roll. The electrical system has two concerns: a cruise control software fault can cause the vehicle to maintain or increase speed even when the driver tries to cancel it, and a wiring issue under the hood can cause the engine to stall without warning. A final recall affects Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with stealth mode, where the backup camera fails to display when reversing.
At a glance
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbag inflators may be defective and could rupture unexpectedly, sending metal fragments toward occupants.
What the fix does
Replace both side curtain airbag modules at a dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When stealth mode is active, the backup camera display does not show when the vehicle is put in reverse, eliminating a required safety view.
What the fix does
Software will be updated to automatically turn off stealth mode when reverse gear is selected, restoring the backup camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module may fail, causing the engine to stall or not start.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the powertrain control module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission may have an incorrect park lock rod installed, which could affect the transmission's park function.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct park lock rod at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front driveshaft universal joint can seize or break, causing the driveshaft to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driveshaft at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
