2018 Dodge Challenger: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
75 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Dodge Challenger's year to avoid is 2012, an AVOID at 45 on 253 complaints, with 138 of them in the Electrical System category; the 2011, 2013 and 2014 cars are CAUTION at 59, 60 and 66. The years to buy are 2016 onward, where every year is a BUY and the 2020, 2021 and 2022 cars score 94, 90 and 92 on 20, 19 and 9 complaints. Read the full note on the model page. 2018 specifically: a year the record favours — 75 complaints, score 79/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300: the years to avoid, including 2018 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 75 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 9.38
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up it couldn't even be pushed out of the way. Traffic was backed up and people trying to get around because I was blocking a major hiway intersection. The dodge dealership has had…
The contact owns a 2018 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that the rims on the wheels of the vehicle were poorly designed and there were several cracks on the rims. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered cracks on the inside edges of the rims. The contact stated that the cracks were formed while driving over bumps and uneven road pavements. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the c…
I purchased the vehicle which had minor passenger door damage under $500. There were false reports on Copart and Autobidmaster about the vehicle. They lied and said the vehicle was 91.2 percent damaged. The businesses are false. They admitted insanity as their fraudulent motivation. The title should be clean title and the door has been completely repaired. The title to the vehicle should be in my name. Car is ready t…
Recalls: 4 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V280000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission. |
| 18V524000 | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid… |
| 18E053000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. |
| 18V332000 | Electrical System:Wiring | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb),… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a sports car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,800
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System28 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other28 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Power Train8 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Wheels6 complaints · typical job: Wheel bearing or hub replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$460–$920
- Steering6 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Engine5 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
Other Dodge Challenger years
Dodge Challenger years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Dodge Challenger?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (28 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 79/100, computed from 75 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Dodge Challenger's most common problem?
28 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Dodge Challenger sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2018 Dodge Challenger cost to run per year?
About $4,767 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $23,838 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2018 Dodge Challenger have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Dodge Challenger, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/05/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other sportss of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Dodge Challenger really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 75 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 75 NHTSA complaints on record (9.4/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (9.4/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems