2021 Dodge CHALLENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
Owner report 11427665 · 2021-08-03 (August 3, 2021)
speedometer is messed up and not working properly what should I do?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436031 · 2021-10-08 (October 8, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge SXT. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, it caught on fire without warning. The fire marshals extinguished the flames. A report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11436031 at NHTSA ↗
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 11453465 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 55-65 MPH when the vehicle hydroplaned, as a result, the vehicle struck a guard rail head-on and spun out of control. The contact stated that the frontal air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11453465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11462849 · 2022-04-30 (April 30, 2022)
Left frontal Collision between drivers side head assembly and center front of car- with white tail deer about 100-120 lbs. , causing extensive damage to car. $19,000. Payout from progressive for those extensive repairs. And airbags never deployed. This seems highly alarming to me. The abrupt stop, or the sudden heavy damage to front of vehicle seems like it would activate airbags?? Safety issue??
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462849 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 11521938 · 2023-05-14 (May 14, 2023)
The reverse camera screen is not adjustable and blinds the entire cab including looking into the mirrors. You must cover the screen to even look into the mirrors.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521938 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V516000 · Visibility:Windshield:Critical Fasteners | Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2021-07-08 (July 8, 2021)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V664000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel
Reported: 2021-08-26 (August 26, 2021)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Consequence: Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.
NHTSA campaign record ↗