KnownCarProblems2013 Dodge Charger Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 360 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Charger, most often about the electrical (46% of complaints, typically around 58,000 miles). It is 6th of 21 Charger model years by number of complaints and has 8 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 2013 Dodge Charger problems
Electrical
167 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
The cooling system radiator water pump heater core is giving problems in a lot of theses cars the mechanic at the dealership says he sees it all the time the radiator in mine is coming apart at the seems and a police friend of mine says they have lost 3 due to the same problem then running hot and blowing up
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The battery warning light previously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Engine
52 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
Vehicle had a multi-system failure while driving away from a parking lot. Engine did not stall at first. Initially the steering became hard from power steering loss, "service AWD" light came on, "service power steering" light was next, followed by brake system failure. Car was still a little driveable and then it…
Hello my 2013 Dodge Charger 3.6 while I was driving the vehicle has just shut down with no warnings and I had to get it towed to a Dodge shop u waited on my vehicle for days and they said it was a blown fuse but I'm in the technology field and it seems to me that someone has access or remotely access to my vehicle now…
Transmission
48 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate and all the warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the air conditioning blew out hot air only and the vehicle started shaking until it stalled. The vehicle was jumpstarted. While driving to the independent…
Twice I pulled in my driveway and thought I put the car in park and went to gather my things before shutting the car off and instead of being in park the car continued forward. The first time it scraped my side fence and the second until it hit my chain link gate- bending the posts and taking the fence gate off the…
Air bags
41 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal sparking noise and the front driver side air bag rattled. The front passenger side window failed to open and close intermittently. In addition, all four windows failed intermittently. When the cruise control was…
My airbag light came on and stayed on. I referred to the owner's manual, which stated to seek service immediately. I went to the dealership where I purchased my new vehicle. I was told oh there's a recall, we need to make you an appointment. I took my car in on the scheduled day, but the next day I was told that its a…
Steering
30 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
2013 Dodge sxt 3.5 AWD w/ 75k miles. Rubbing noise in the steering column when turning, thought it just needed to be lubed (had that done at a non fca service site a few years earlier) had it at the dealer a couple months ago and they said the steering column to rack joint was worn out and about to come apart and…
Vehicle had a multi-system failure while driving away from a parking lot. Engine did not stall at first. Initially the steering became hard from power steering loss, "service AWD" light came on, "service power steering" light was next, followed by brake system failure. Car was still a little driveable and then it…
Other or unspecified
28 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles.
04/15/2015 there was a mutual accident or faulty due to second driver being blinded by a truck on a merge into a drive thru banking at pnc bank n 87th and cottage grove chicago, illinois. I was sitting in the turn and the other car hit the vehicle at 45 MPH on a 30 MPH speed limit. There was minimal damage to the…
On august 18, 2017, I started my 2013 Dodge Charger and discovered that the uconnet system was no longer working. My hands free system could no longer be connected. After contacting uconnect, it was determined that the bluetooth module had stopped working. This is a problem when you are constantly in your vehicle for…
Speed control
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While reversing the vehicle, it accelerated on its own from 15 to 50 MPH. As a result, the contact's vehicle struck three other vehicles. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was…
The adjustable gas and brake pedals move while the vehicle is motion without any type of activation by the driver, this causes acceleration or braking issues with the vehicle, when this occurs the pedals always move towards the driver not away, it occurs without warning and there is not apparent cause for it happening
Stability control
18 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles.
I was on the freeway when my cars lights started flashing and would get on battery saver mode and was hard trying to steer on to emergency lane until it completely shut off on me. Luckily I was half way on the slow lane and safe lane. It would not turn on and it started smoking when I tried getting out I was…
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While driving 20 MPH, the ABS and vehicle traction control warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that the battery saver mode indicator illuminated. The contact stated that there was smoke emitting from the engine compartment of the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Dodge Charger recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 4, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v01.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2010 dodge ram 3500, ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 dodge dakota, 2010-2014 dodge challenger, 2010-2015 dodge challenger, chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 jeep wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began february 28, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u03.
Full defect summary
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, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 ram 4500 cab chassis, ram 5500 cab chassis, ram 3500 cab chassis, jeep wrangler, chrysler 300, dodge dakota, dodge challenger, and dodge charger vehicles ever registered in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t36.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 dodge challenger, dodge charger, chrysler 300, dodge durango, and 2012-2014 jeep grand cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (ehps) and are equipped with a 5.7l or a 3.6l engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the park position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on june 24, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s27. Note: on october 19, 2016 chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 dodge charger and chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured february 15, 2011, to november 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured july 16, 2012, to december 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in park, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on march 21, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s03.
Full defect summary
Fca US llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 dodge charger vehicles manufactured august 23, 2010, to january 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
Seat belts
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the occupant restraint control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on august 25, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r35.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 dodge charger vehicles manufactured may 6, 2010, to june 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Electrical: alternator/generator/regulator
Risk: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on february 27, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is p60.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 chrysler 300, dodge charger, challenger, and durango; and 2012-2014 jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured april 22, 2010, to january 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6l engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'park'.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 31, 2014. Customers may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is n65.
Full defect summary
Chrysler group llc (chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 chrysler 300 AWD, dodge charger AWD, and dodge ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with zf all wheel drive ("AWD") 8hp45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
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
Vehicle rollaway, engine on
Summary
On april 22, 2016, fiat chrysler automotive US llc, (fca) submitted a defect information report (dir) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in unattended vehicle rollaway with the engine running in approximately 811,586 model year (my) 2012 to 2014 dodge charger and chrysler 300 vehicles and my 2014 to 2015 jeep grand cherokee vehicles equipped with 8-speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector (NHTSA recall #16v-240, fca recall #s27). According to fca's dir, the existing strategies built into these vehicles to deter drivers from exiting the vehicle after failing to put the transmission into park have not stopped some from doing so. Drivers erroneously concluding that their ve
Questions about the 2013 Dodge Charger
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Charger?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (167 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); engine (52 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); transmission (48 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Dodge Charger have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Dodge Charger?
- It is 6th of 21 Charger model years by number of complaints, with 360 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.