2011 Dodge CHALLENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
193 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
55,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 145 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 94 of 193 complaints (48.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 79 | 40.9% |
| Braking behavior | 28 | 14.5% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 23 | 11.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 94 |
| Air Bags | 35 |
| Engine | 23 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 17 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 8 |
Electrical System: 94; Air Bags: 35; Engine: 23; Fuel/Propulsion System: 17; Steering: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 10; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 49 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2011: 1; 2012: 6; 2013: 9; 2014: 28; 2015: 51; 2016: 25; 2017: 20; 2018: 15; 2019: 14; 2020: 9; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2025: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 79 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 27 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10408578 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
I DRIVE A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8. IT HAS ONLY 300 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF THE EXIT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER ALL SHUTDOWN. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY OR WE BOTH SURELY WOULD OF DIED. I COULD NOT EVEN PULL OVER. ONCE I PUT IT IN PARK I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SEVERAL WEBSITES LIST THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT. THE DEALER SAID THEY ARE "UNAWARE" OF THE ISSUE AND CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. DODGE DOES NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10446064 · 2012-01-31 (January 31, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 500. UPDATED 03/06/12*LJ UPDATED 03/16/12
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449160 · 2012-02-24 (February 24, 2012)
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WERE AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DEPLOY AIRBAG. THIS CAN BE TURNED OFF BY WIGGLING A WIRE AND CONNECTOR UNDER THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE LIGHT AND DISABLING OF THE AIRBAG HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES AND ANY TIME YOU INCREASE SPEED QUICKLY (IE. FREEWAY ON RAMPS). THIS IS AGAIN REMEDIED BY A GIGGLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTOR BEHIND AND UNDER THE DRIVER. I CAN DISABLE THE AIRBAG ANYTIME BY WIGGLING THE WIRE UNDER THE SEAT, IF DRIVING PRIOR TO THE INDICATOR COMING ON.…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,581 miles reported. Look up ODI 10449160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453253 · 2012-03-27 (March 27, 2012)
MY 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER WAS IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT PUSH THE MOTOR UNDER THE DASH, CRACKED THE TRANSMISSION, CRUMBLED THE FRONT OF THE CAR ALMOST TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CHALLENGER HAS AN AIR BAG ON THE SEAT, WELL THAT AIR BAG; NOR THE AIR BAG ON THE WINDSHIELD PILLAR OR THE STEERING WHEEL OR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOY. NOT ONLY DID THE AIR BAGS FAIL, BUT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK TO RESTRAIN A PERSON FROM AVOIDING INJURY. THIS IS MY SECOND CHALLENGER, MY FIRST CHALLENGER HAD A BAD PAINT JOB AND THIS ONE COULD OF COST ME MY LIFE. I HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457832 · 2012-05-08 (May 8, 2012)
BOUGHT CAR USED. AFTER 3 DAYS OF HAVING IT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND WILL NOT GO OUT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER THEY SAY IT IS IN THE HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE CORRECT HARNESS SO FAR 2 WHERE SHIPPED TO THEM AND THEY WERE THE WRONG ONE. THEY REALLY DON;T HAVE A ANSWER. ACCORDING TO DEALER ALOT OF CHALLENGERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR DODGE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457832 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468824 · 2012-08-01 (August 1, 2012)
ON JULY 12, 2012 WHILE DETAILING THE INSIDE OF MY CAR IN ORDER TO REACH SOME AREAS THAT I COULD NOT REACH THROUGH THE TRUNK I WAS PUSHED THE FRONT SEATS FORWARD SO THE REAR SEATS WOULD DROP DOWN BY DESIGN AND WAS IN AN ODD POSITION TO START WITH, AND HAD THE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY. WHILE WORKING ON THE DETAILING THEY SLIPPED AND MANAGED TO WRAP ME UP AROUND MY CHEST AND NECK (IT HAPPENED SO FAST I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY). AS I STRUGGLED TO FREE MYSELF THEY REFUSED TO RELAX AND CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN UP …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482161 · 2012-10-24 (October 24, 2012)
STARTED AT ABOUT TWO TO THREE MONTHS WHILE STOPPED TO MAKE TURN, THE COMPUTER RESET. IT NOTED TIRE PRESSURE LOW AND AIR BAG LIGHT. THIS COMPUTER PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT TIMES. ALSO, AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT TIMES, THE CAR WILL NOT DETECT KEY FOB AND THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER NEW BATTERIES IN KEY FOBS WITH NEW BATTERIES. CAR ALSO DIED WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT AND WHEN RE-STARTED IT ONLY HAD HALF THE POWER. I 'LIMPED' IT HOME TO AVOID GETTING STRANDED. WHEN RE-STARTED IT WAS ALRIGHT, BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE COMPUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10498140 · 2013-02-14 (February 14, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING TO APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN TRAVELING AT THAT SPEED AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 25,300 UPDATED 03/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION'S FAILURE TO SHIFT AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE TIMING CAUSED THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10498140 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V118000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-04-03 (April 3, 2013)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured April 11, 2011, through December 14, 2011. The affected vehicles may have improperly sized terminal crimps on the seat side-airbag wiring harness which may cause the seat side-airbags to malfunction and illuminate the airbag warning light.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment the airbags may not operate as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both driver and passenger seat airbag wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N07.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V634000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2014-10-08 (October 8, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V352000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-24 (May 24, 2016)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Consequence: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V435000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V021000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V018000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-15 (January 15, 2019)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗