2009 Dodge Challenger
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 132 |
| 2010 | 298 |
| 2011 | 191 |
| 2012 | 253 |
| 2013 | 179 |
| 2014 | 146 |
| 2015 | 126 |
| 2016 | 78 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 74 |
| 2019 | 58 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 40 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
30% of complaints: air bags — 40 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I BROUGHT MY CAR 8 MONTHS AGO AND THE DELALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY OF THE FOUR RECALLS I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS IN THE MAIL CONCERNING THE RECALLS AND THAT PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN AT RISK EVERYDAY IT'S A SCARY FEELING I ALSO HIT A TREE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20200107
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH HE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100830
20% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND QUICKLY CONSUMED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PRESENTING ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131211
17% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I BROUGHT MY CAR 8 MONTHS AGO AND THE DELALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY OF THE FOUR RECALLS I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS IN THE MAIL CONCERNING THE RECALLS AND THAT PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN AT RISK EVERYDAY IT'S A SCARY FEELING I ALSO HIT A TREE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20200107
16% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I BROUGHT MY CAR 8 MONTHS AGO AND THE DELALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT ANY OF THE FOUR RECALLS I NEVER RECEIVED ANY PAPERS IN THE MAIL CONCERNING THE RECALLS AND THAT PUTS ME AND MY CHILDREN AT RISK EVERYDAY IT'S A SCARY FEELING I ALSO HIT A TREE...
NHTSA ODI report, 20200107
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND QUICKLY CONSUMED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PRESENTING ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131211
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHALLENGER(NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. AN INVESTIGATOR CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20091021
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR V
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE WIRELESS IGNITION NODE MODULE SO THE ENGINE CAN ONLY BE TURNED OFF WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND GEAR SELECTOR IS IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
Campaign 08V458000 — check if this car was fixed
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 175 MY 2009 DODGE CHARGER, CHALLENGER, AND CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) SENSORS MAY NOT TRANSMIT THE ACTUAL TIRE PRESSURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TPM SENSORS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 08V642000 — check if this car was fixed
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT A FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND IF FOUND WITHOUT A SPINDLE NUT IT WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-835
Campaign 09V420000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015.
Campaign 15V444000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 16V352000 — check if this car was fixed
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.
Campaign 17V824000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 18V021000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Dodge Challenger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V458000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V642000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V420000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V444000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V352000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V824000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V021000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Dodge Challenger is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Challenger?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.