2009 Dodge Challenger

● Typical for this model
2009 Dodge Challenger
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:03:48.784Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Dodge Challenger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 2008: 10 complaints 2009: 132 complaints 2009 2010: 298 complaints 2011: 191 complaints 2012: 253 complaints 2012 2013: 179 complaints 2014: 146 complaints 2015: 126 complaints 2015 2016: 78 complaints 2017: 49 complaints 2018: 74 complaints 2018 2019: 58 complaints 2020: 20 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 40 complaints 2023
2009: 132 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
200810
2009132
2010298
2011191
2012253
2013179
2014146
2015126
201678
201749
201874
201958
202020
202118
20229
202340

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 30%

30% of complaints: air bags — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show 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

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show 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

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show 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

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20080915 — power train

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

R 20090209 — tires

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

R 20091109 — wheels

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

R 20151117 — air bags

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

R 20170327 — air bags

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

R 20180214 — equipment

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

R 20180228 — air bags

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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

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

▲ 2023 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2012 ◆ 2011

See all years ranked →

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.