VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Dodge Challenger2008–2023
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Dodge Challenger
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Dodge Challenger Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 233 complaints
16 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
4 recalls · 154 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 recalls · 114 complaints
12 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 1 past investigation into the Challenger became recall.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Dodge Challenger — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 35 | — | — | 89 | 82 | 87 | Good |
| 2022 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 90 | 89 | 90 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 13 | 1 | — | 90 | 92 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 23 | — | — | 90 | 91 | 90 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 58 | — | — | 80 | 87 | 82 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 61 | 4 | — | 78 | 81 | 79 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 32 | 2 | — | 88 | 74 | 83 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 56 | 9 | — | 76 | 67 | 73 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 102 | 9 | — | 65 | 60 | 63 | Caution |
| 2014 | 3 | 114 | 12 | — | 65 | 54 | 61 | Caution |
| 2013 | 3 | 118 | 6 | — | 65 | 49 | 59 | Caution |
| 2012 | 4 | 154 | 9 | — | 65 | 45 | 58 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 4 | 125 | — | — | 65 | 42 | 57 | Caution |
| 2010 | 5 | 233 | 16 | — | 65 | 42 | 57 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 5 | 69 | 4 | — | 72 | 42 | 62 | Good |
| 2008 | 2 | 9 | — | — | 90 | 42 | 73 | Excellent |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Dodge Challenger Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Challenger compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 91).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 83).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Challenger to buy?+
The 2021 Dodge Challenger scores highest on our Buyer Score (91/100) — combining a reliability score of 90/100 with a value score of 92/100. It has 0 recalls and 13 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Challenger years have the most problems?+
The 2010, 2012, 2014 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2010 Challenger leads with 5 recalls and 233 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Challenger problems?+
The most frequently reported Dodge Challenger issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.