2021 Dodge CHARGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 34 complaints (44.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
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 | 15 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
Air Bags: 15; Power Train: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Wheels: 2; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 27 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 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 9; 2025: 9; 2026: 5
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 11480260 · 2022-08-19 (August 19, 2022)
The issue with the vehicle is inconsistent and delayed power delivery. On numerous occasions, when trying to accelerate quickly in low gears (1 through 3), the vehicle exhibits an obvious restriction and/or lack of thrust. The vehicle does accelerate (sometimes poorly with hesitation) and the RPM's climb, but the power is severely reduced until 4500 RPM, then the power comes on strong without any change in throttle position or gear. The issue can best be described as feeling like you are towing something heavy with a rope, and at 4500 rpm, the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11480260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11622931 · 2024-10-31 (October 31, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with the “Service Transmission” message displayed. The contact stated that the continue to drive and do not shift message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and noticed that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired.…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11622931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513325 · 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)
Driving home from work when my vehicle lost control, when trying to steer my steering wheel straight the rear end of my vehicle locked up and ended up in a guard rail , there was nothing in the road or any pedestrian or other cars I have no idea what caused my car to lock up but I don’t know what caused my car to lock up I know when my sales guys first go over my car he didn’t fully mention everything to me I saw my tires pressure at 50 psi in all days didn’t know if that was normal because my car was shipped so I know the dealership is suppose…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544745 · 2023-09-15 (September 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering failed to operate properly, causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that the "Electric Power Steering Failure" message was displayed after the failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11544745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413702 · 2021-04-24 (April 24, 2021)
AT ONLY 256 MILES, THE VEHICLE EITHER SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING OR WILL NOT START AFTER IT'S PARKED. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE ENGINE TURNING OFF WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO STALL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THERE HAS SINCE BEEN 3 NO START CONDITIONS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DAVIS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM IN YULEE, FL AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR OF THIS INTERMITTENT FAULT.
Owner-reported narrative. 256 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511231 · 2023-03-10 (March 10, 2023)
I had a flat tire on the left rear. I pulled the car onto a flat paved surface, placed it in park, and applied the parking brake. I broke the lug nuts loose and proceeded to jack the car up. When I had the car partially jacked up the scissor jack kicked out from under the car into the area I had parked in. Since I no longer felt safe using the jack I called AAA. Oddly enough, the AAA service man told me that he had just returned from a call on a Chrysler 300 that had done the same thing. I no longer feel safe using that jack.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11511231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11660824 · 2025-05-14 (May 14, 2025)
1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too much, my car won't accelerate..I got it repaired once and it took dealer almost 30 days but it did not fix the problem..I could not afford to be without my car so I could not take it back to them.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11660824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11762368 · 2026-09-05 (September 5, 2026)
The Chapman Dodge service department has diagnosed the vehicle with an active, leaking fuel pump assembly and provided a repair estimate of $1,600.00. Stellantis Corporate has offered a "goodwill" gesture of only $200.00, leaving me with a $1,400.00 out-of-pocket bill. I have formally rejected this baseline offer.An active fuel leak on a 485-horsepower performance vehicle is an immediate, catastrophic fire hazard. A fuel pump module is a lifetime structural component, not a wear-and-tear item, and a complete material failure at 41,000 miles is an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11762368 at NHTSA ↗