2021 Dodge CHARGER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11440525 · 2021-11-15 (November 15, 2021)
The rear camera is defective. It is too dark in most conditions and not clear resulting in a poor view of what is behind me. At night, it is impossible to use, and relying on it will result in a collision. Stellantis and the local dealer have been provided with photos of the display and the dealer spent a few seconds looking at it and they say it is how it should be. Other owners of the same type car online have the same complaint and had the camera changed. Stellantis refuses to do so. Photos have been uploaded showing the problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445578 · 2021-12-30 (December 30, 2021)
So this vehicle turned out to be one of the easiest cars to be stolen. I’ve heard many stories and cases about other Dodge Charger owners that have gotten there Chargers stolen as well and I received a recall notice from dodge this week that it’s something about the radio frequency and something about a simple diagnostic tool and it programs a new key instantly and Dodge finally after so many complaints did there research and now put out a recall. My dream car was stolen, crashed and even my insurance company won’t compensate anything and now m…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445578 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458958 · 2022-03-30 (March 30, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, a tiny rock hit the windshield and the windshield cracked. The vehicle was repaired by Safelite at the contact's residence. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, a truck spun out and gravel fell from the truck causing a tiny rock to hit the driver’s side windshield and caused a crack. The windshield was repaired by Safelite at the contact's residence; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure occur…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11458958 at NHTSA ↗
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 11502035 · 2023-01-16 (January 16, 2023)
My rim on the inside lip has a hairline crack. I’m coming up on 1 year and for the entire time I have had to add air once a month. The tire pressure would be 38 psi when I put air and would drop to 30 over a months time. I’ve had the tire looked at several times and they found nothing. Then around 3 weeks ago it went from loosing 8 psi a month, to around 5 psi a week. So I jack the car up and start looking, spraying with a soapy water and I find the crack.So I called the dealership, and they say well you hit a pothole or something in the road.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504250 · 2023-01-29 (January 29, 2023)
Heard popping under car while driving noticed there appeared to be an issue with rear control arm removed rear tires and found both rear control arms to be broken and rubbing frame one free hanging and the other in a bind
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11504250 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 ↗
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 ↗24V198000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator
Reported: 2024-03-14 (March 14, 2024)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
NHTSA campaign record ↗