VehicleVerdict

2013 Dodge Challenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2013 Dodge Challenger carries two red flags at once: 251 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.9× the Challenger norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Challenger years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 43% of all reports (109 of 251), far ahead of engine at 27. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

251

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

8

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Challenger years?

Challenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted433 complaints1970: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 171 complaints2010: 433 complaints2011: 255 complaints2012: 338 complaints2013: 251 complaints2014: 213 complaints2015: 185 complaints2016: 109 complaints2017: 70 complaints2018: 115 complaints2019: 93 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 27 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 51 complaints
Challenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Challenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Dodge Challenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System10943%
Engine2711%
Airbags198%
Transmission166%
Steering156%
Other114%
Visibility & Wipers83%
Brakes83%
Speed Control73%
Body & Structure73%
Fuel System62%
Lighting62%
Seats42%
Tires & Wheels42%
Seat Belts31%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2013 Dodge Challenger have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V018000AirbagsJanuary 15, 2019 · 1,413,222 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

18V021000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 328,177 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

17V435000Electrical SystemJuly 10, 2017 · 442,214 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.

14V634000Electrical SystemOctober 8, 2014 · 435,081 units

Defect

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.

Consequence

If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.

13V103000Electrical SystemMarch 21, 2013 · 4,051 units

Defect

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured from December 3, 2012, through January 24, 2013 and equipped with a V6 engine. The battery positive cable at the starter motor may experience an electrical short circuit to ground.

Consequence

A short circuit could lead to a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Chrysler has begun notifying owners and they are being advised to immediately refrain from driving their vehicles and to contact their dealers. Chrysler Group further advises affected owners not to park their vehicles in, or near, any structures. Dealers will replace the under hood starter cable assembly, free of charge. The recall notification began on March 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING IT THIS WAS 4 HOURS AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR GETTING THE TOURQUE CONVERTER FIXED. I THINK THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED IT. I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT ONLY GOING 7-10 MPH. DALLAS PD DOESN'T COME OUT IF IT'S ON PRIVATE PROPERTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 24, 2016 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER PUMP HAD A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES TO THE LUNGS, LOWER BACK, RIGHT KNEE, AND A CONCUSSION TO THE HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 28, 2016 · crash

“THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY FIRE WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN. MY 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER ONLY HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT, AND ALL SERVICE WAS DONE AS RECOMMENDED BY DODGE, AT A CERTIFIED SHOP. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO DODGE, AND THEY DENIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 8, 2018 · fire

“ON THIS DATE 7/3/17 MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE VISITING THE LIBRARY WHEN OUR VEHICLE STALLED. THANKFULLY THEY WERE IN A SAFE LOCATION AND HAD JUST PARKED. PRIOR TO LEAVING THE HOUSE MY HUSBAND NOTICED A WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CAR STALLES THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 3, 2017 · fire

2013 Dodge Challenger — common questions

Is the 2013 Dodge Challenger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 251 complaints put the 2013 model at #4 of 23 Challenger years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Challenger years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Challenger problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (109 complaints), engine (27 complaints), airbags (19 complaints).

Does the 2013 Dodge Challenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Dodge Challenger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Dodge Challenger under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Dodge Challenger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Challenger years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2009, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2008. The cleanest record among Challenger years belongs to 1980.

How safe is the 2013 Dodge Challenger?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Dodge Challenger earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.