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Dodge Charger — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Dodge Charger model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
60
Years to Avoid
2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006
Best Years
2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1969
2025
18 complaints2 recalls161 TSBs
2024
6 complaints2 recalls163 TSBs
2023
31 complaints2 recalls130 TSBs
2022
16 complaints3 recalls198 TSBs
2021Avoid
38 complaints2 recalls296 TSBs
2020Avoid
66 complaints3 recalls332 TSBs
2019Avoid
160 complaints5 recalls1 invest.328 TSBs
2018Avoid
166 complaints6 recalls1 invest.263 TSBs
2017Avoid
194 complaints4 recalls1 invest.220 TSBs
2016Avoid
259 complaints6 recalls1 invest.273 TSBs
2015Avoid
194 complaints8 recalls2 invest.326 TSBs
2014Avoid
528 complaints10 recalls2 invest.249 TSBs
2013Avoid
488 complaints8 recalls2 invest.258 TSBs
2012Avoid
956 complaints14 recalls3 invest.218 TSBs
2011Avoid
1,036 complaints11 recalls2 invest.152 TSBs
2010
300 complaints6 recalls1 invest.33 TSBs
2009
229 complaints6 recalls2 invest.31 TSBs
2008Avoid
834 complaints5 recalls2 invest.42 TSBs
2007Avoid
675 complaints5 recalls4 invest.47 TSBs
2006Avoid
1,901 complaints5 recalls4 invest.62 TSBs
2005
0 complaints0 recalls2 invest.25 TSBs
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001
4 complaints0 recalls13 TSBs
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987
0 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1986
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1985
13 complaints3 recalls
1984
1 complaints2 recalls
1983
0 complaints1 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978
0 complaints1 recalls
1977
0 complaints2 recalls
1976
0 complaints2 recalls
1975
0 complaints2 recalls
1974
0 complaints1 recalls
1973
0 complaints7 recalls
1972
0 complaints2 recalls
1971
0 complaints5 recalls
1970
1 complaints1 recalls
1969Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1968
0 complaints5 recalls
1967
0 complaints3 recalls
1966
0 complaints2 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Dodge Charger Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006 Dodge Charger are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Dodge Charger, consider the 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1969 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

60 model years analyzed