2021 Dodge CHALLENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
17,160 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 19 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 15.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Camera System | 1 |
Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Back Over Prevention: Camera System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 4; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11446974 · 2022-01-10 (January 10, 2022)
The transmission/drive shaft thumps and the car "lurches" upon start-up. This is somehow related to the push button start. My car is also equipped with a factory remote start and no noise is heard, nor does the car lurch on start-up. Please refer to video link: https://youtu.be/SRQJcjpl4mA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11666655 · 2025-06-12 (June 12, 2025)
I purchased this vehicle from Vroom, who is also my lender under United Auto Credit. The car was sold with a washed title and undisclosed prior structural and mechanical damage. I have documentation confirming the vehicle had serious pre-existing issues and should never have been sold as a clean-title car. The differential has failed three times in under 6 months, and I’ve experienced full drivetrain failure following multiple service visits to Dodge. I had requested inspection of the transmission, but after every visit, the issues worsened. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11666655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11745702 · 2026-06-22 (June 22, 2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH on a local roadway, the steering suddenly became inoperative, and the steering wheel locked without warning. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle and safely pulled over to the side of the road where the vehicle was already drifting. There were no warning lights illuminated, or messages displayed prior to the failure. After restarting the vehicle, a warning message associated with the steering system was displayed on the ins…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 11745702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750829 · 2026-07-16 (July 16, 2026)
While operating my vehicle at road speed the electric steering rack failed. This rendered the steering inoperative. It was impossible to steer the vehicle. Not only is this situation extremely dangerous and deadly, there was no advanced warning. I received no prompts or warning lights before the incident happened. I researched and found that certain 2021 Dodge Challengers were involved in a warning system recall. My specific vehicle was not included in the recall. This is what Dodge and the dealership who did the repair kept telling me while th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508612 · 2023-02-22 (February 22, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. Additionally, the vehicle pulled back while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,160.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 11508612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11668279 · 2025-06-21 (June 21, 2025)
My seatbelt seemed a bit faulty when I purchased the car. It was slow to retract and at some points wouldn’t retract unless I played with the seatbelt. Three years in to owning the car it still won’t retract fully and is at the point where it won’t come out to a safe distance that allows me to wear my seatbelt. As for the electrical defaults, there are times when I am driving and the display, between my speedometer and rpm dials, turned off. So would my center display, yet my radio continued to play. There were no warning signs or signals when …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11668279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427372 · 2021-08-01 (August 1, 2021)
Challenger less than a week from the dealership and less than 1,000 miles. Catastrophic fuel pump failure while driving, unable to recover. Rear view back up camera freezes and stutters causing safety issues. Radio volume constantly changes while driving and leads to distraction safety issues. Door locks are consistently unreliable, roughly 25% chance of door lock failure. Key fob not detected and electronic security lock down issues. Uconnect freezing and stuttering causing delays in back up camera and other functions causing safety …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427372 at NHTSA ↗