2018 Dodge Charger: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
122 NHTSA owner complaints · 6 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The seventh-generation Charger launched for 2011, and its first two years carry the highest counts in the nameplate's run — the Totally Integrated Power Module and alternator failures shared with the Grand Cherokee and Durango of the same years, plus the five-speed automatic. From 2015, with the eight-speed automatic and the revised electrical system, the record is quiet: the 2020–2023 years score between 88 and 92, which is unusual for a large performance saloon. 2018 specifically: a year the record favours — 122 complaints, score 73/100. 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: 122 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 15.25
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because it was requested by the consumer. djr ******* delete voq *******
Back up camera not working. screen turns blue. tried resetting and had serviced. camera will not work. According to the Forum many others have the same issue
The drivers side headlight fuse melts continuously causing the headlights to go out specifically use 15 and few 16 for the HID headlights.
Recalls: 6 campaigns (3 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. |
| 18V281000 | Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle. |
| 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… |
| 24V198000 | Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. |
| 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),… |
| 20V512000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a full-size 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 $2,650
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 System45 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other33 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Structure19 complaints · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,070–$2,920
- Engine11 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train10 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Service Brakes6 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Dodge Charger years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Dodge Charger?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (45 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2018 Dodge Charger a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 73/100, computed from 122 NHTSA complaints and 6 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2018 Dodge Charger's most common problem?
45 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 Dodge Charger 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 Charger cost to run per year?
About $4,729 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $23,648 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 Charger have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Dodge Charger, 3 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 fullsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2018 Dodge Charger 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 — 122 complaints, 6 recalls on record
- 122 NHTSA complaints on record (15.2/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (15.2/yr)
- 6 recall campaigns, 3 touching safety-critical systems