KnownCarProblems2008 Dodge Charger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 609 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Charger, most often about the electrical (64% of complaints, typically around 99,000 miles). It is 4th of 21 Charger model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2008 Dodge Charger problems
Electrical
391 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, starter assembly.
Key fob and car had to be reprogrammed, so I had to have my car towed to the dealership to have this done because the car would not start at all. I had to pay $124 for the key fob and another $49.50 for the reprogramming.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the engine failed to start after refueling. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure at the ignition module. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired; the ignition…
Air bags
124 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owned 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, another vehicle crossed in front causing the contact to crash into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the contact sustained right ear, back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated without warning to 20 MPH along with an abnormal burning odor coming from the engine through the front vents. The oil warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by an inspector sent…
Engine
104 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving 60 MPH, the instrument panel lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the engine stalled and the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer stated that the win module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. Updated 11/20/14…
Transmission
33 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
On my way to the gas station to fill up my tank , when I arrive I put my car in park and as I'm about to step out the car rolls back , I'm thinking maybe I put it in reverse by accident but no it was in park but it got stuck in reverse my car has almost 80k miles on it 2008 Dodge Charger . This incident almost made me…
I have a 2008 Dodge Charger, which has had several electrical problems to occur since I purchased the vehicle in aug., 2008. 2 of the problems could have caused serious injury if I had wrecked when the sterring wheel locked or just the other day the fan blade motors locked up and bursted my radiaotr. This vehicle is…
Steering
30 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
Driver had been experiencing intermittent problems with esp bas light coming on along with occasional popping sounds from steering wheel when making turns. On day of incident, driver was attempting to make a (left) u-turn in a median. Steering wheel turned approximately 3/4 of one revolution and would not turn any…
Vehicle is experiencing major safety defect similar to recent gm ignition recall. On numerous occasions vehicle has experienced sudden engine shut-off at varying speeds including highway 65mph plus. Complete electrical system shut down deactivates all onboard systems, including power-steering, breaking, and air bag…
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles.
Cooling fan hit fan shroud breaking off a piece that hit the radiator. . This caused loss of radiator coolant. Fans and radiator had to be replaced along with coolant. According to Dodge forum this problem has been recalled on some same vehicles (2008 chargers) but mine has not been recalled or notified that this…
Started slowing down for a red light , when the ignition turned off by its self resulting with no power steering, no power brakes,no electrical and the motor turned off !!!!!! Besides this ive had problems starting the car for 9 months + due to the ignition!!!!! The ignition has turned its self off 1 other time…
Brakes
15 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles.
1 solution 2008 Dodge Charger the esp/bas light comes on when I make a left turn and stays on for a while and the resets. This is a re-occurring issue. Was told by Dodge that steering column may have to be repaired. (was this a recall for Dodge?). The car seems to be difficult to steer due to the car being very…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the esp and ABS warning lights illuminated. Also, when the speed reached above 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shift switched gears independently without the brake pedal being…
Stability control
14 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles.
1 solution 2008 Dodge Charger the esp/bas light comes on when I make a left turn and stays on for a while and the resets. This is a re-occurring issue. Was told by Dodge that steering column may have to be repaired. (was this a recall for Dodge?). The car seems to be difficult to steer due to the car being very…
The engine shut completely off during driving. I lost power steering and automatic braking. I tried to restart but it would not turn over. The battery and the alternator were not dead. I had it towed to a shop and they said the engine control module was dead. It almost caused me to have an accident. I then had to have…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Dodge Charger recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s43. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-7700.
Full defect summary
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. With this change, chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 ram 3500, 2007-2010 ram 3500 cab chassis, 2008-2010 ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, 2004-2009 dodge durango, 2007-2009 chrysler aspen, 2007-2012 jeep wrangler, 2008-2012 dodge challenger, 2005-2008 dodge magnum, 2005-2012 chrysler 300, 2006-2012 dodge charger, 2005-2011 dodge dakota, and 2006-2009 mitsubishi raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in al, ca, fl, ga, hi, la, ms, sc, tx, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 ram 1500, 2005-2009 ram 2500, 2006-2009 r
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected chrysler and dodge owners and mitsubishi will notify the affected raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for chrylser on june 8, 2015. The recall for mitsubishi started on june 24, 2015. Chrysler and dodge owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is r25. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v817 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 dodge ram 2500, 2004-2008 dodge ram 1500 and durango, 2006-2009 dodge ram 3500, 2008-2010 dodge ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 chrysler aspen, 2005-2010 chrysler 300, 300c, 300s, and srt8, 2006-2010 dodge charger, 2005-2008 magnum, 2005-2011 dodge dakota, and 2006-2009 mitsubishi raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the ignition stays between "start" and "on" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "off" or "accessory" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key fobs, free of charge. The recall began august 19, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p57.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured may 31, 2007, to may 12, 2008, dodge magnum vehicles manufactured may 23, 2007, to may 12, 2008, dodge charger vehicles manufactured may 24, 2007, to may 12, 2008, jeep commander vehicles manufactured april 3, 2007, to may 12, 2008, and jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured march 21, 2007, to may 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (fobik) may not return to the "on" position after being rotated to the "start" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "run" position to the "accessory" or "off" ignition position, turning off the engine.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: This could allow the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction startling the driver, and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable at the mounting bracket to ensure proper retention and shift linkage function. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling 20,283 my 2006-2009 charger and magnum vehicles built with the police package and equipped with a column shifter. The gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.
Transmission: axle hubs
Risk: This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on july 21, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, dodge magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Prndl misalignment
Summary
In a november 5, 2008 letter, chrysler submitted a defect information report describing a defect condition that could result in prndl misalignment (I.e., incorrect gear indication) in approximately 20,300 model year (my) 2006 through 2009 dodge charger and magnum police vehicles built from may 17, 2005 through october 21, 2008 (NHTSA recall no. 08v-583, chrysler recall h37).according to chrysler, the gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.this could allow the vehicle to move inadvertently and cause a crash without warning.chrysler dealers will remedy the defect condition by installing a re
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Charger
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Charger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (391 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); air bags (124 complaints, typically around 92,500 miles); engine (104 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Charger have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Dodge Charger?
- It is 4th of 21 Charger model years by number of complaints, with 609 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.