How Long Do Dodge Chargers Last – 4 Common Problems

Dodge chargers are reliable, popular, and powerful vehicle models that passed the test of time. The manufacturer Dodge launched several variants, and each version is technologically advanced from others. This means all versions don’t provide the same performance.

Whenever someone decides to buy a vehicle, they want to know the lifespan of the selected model first. And this question is also no exception for Dodge chargers. Customers want to know how long do dodge chargers last.

In this guide, we will discuss a bunch of facts regarding dodge chargers.

How Long Do Dodge Chargers Last

The straightforward answer is, with periodic maintenance, dodge chargers will last over a million miles.

Now, you might be wondering which regular maintenance do I need to ensure for a million miles of the lifespan of dodge chargers?

Here is the answer:

• Confirm factory scheduled maintenance.
• Maintain routine inspection such as tire pressure checking, topping up fluid levels
• Avoid pushing your dodge chargers to surpass their limit. This will reduce the risk of wear and tear of different parts.

How Reliable is a Dodge Charger?

Dodge chargers are one of the popular models among American people over different generations. It is because of its reliable performance.

In this section, we will look into comparing a few models to learn the reliability of the dodge charger.

Dodge challenger vs. charger reliability

Both Dodge Challenger and Charger are big cars. There are some obvious differences between these 2 models. First, the dodge charger comes with a 4-door sedan, while the dodge challenger is a 2-door coupe, making it a better people hauler. 

Second, the Dodge charger has ample space in the legroom with 40.1”; on the other hand, the legroom of the challenger is 33.1”. It means, the dodge charger is much roomier compared to the dodge challenger. 

Third, in terms of price, the Dodge Challenger is inexpensive than its counterparts. 

Along with the above dissimilarities, both models have similarities as well. When it comes to fuel economy, both are economical and help you save money.

Ford mustang vs. dodge charger reliability

There are some distinctive and clear differences between the ford mustang and dodge charger. 

Performance and price are the main comparisons among them. Dodge charger is equipped with a reliable and strong engine that allows the vehicle to gain enough power within a short time. More power means more speed. 

Ford is still trying to figure out everything. They have made some serious improvements over the last few years, but the reliability is not similar to the dodge charger.

Dodge charger vs. Camaro reliability

Modern dodge chargers are equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine, delivering 292HP. The 2020 Chevy Camaro comes with a less powerful 2.0L I-4 engine that provides 275HP. Also, the cargo volume of the Camaro is 9.1 cubic feet. But dodge chargers have 16.2 cubic foot cargo volume. 

Dodge charger vs. Chrysler 300 reliability

Dodge Charger and Chrysler – both offer comfortable rides, but they have some differences. Dodge charger is classier than Chrysler 300, and people consider Chrysler as an alternative to dodge charger. The base engine of Chrysler is of 3.6L Pentastar V6 that generates 292 hp, 260 lb-ft of torque. Dodge charger is also equipped with the same base engine, but it is sporty compared to Chrysler 300.

Dodge charger vs. chevy Camaro reliability

The chevy Camaro lasts up to 150,000 miles with proper maintenance. Although, this is less compared to the dodge charger. But we believe that the chevy Camaro will surely deliver more than this if you maintain the scheduled upkeep.

Are Dodge Chargers Safe?

The Dodge brand is the manufacturer of dodge chargers. American people are fond of this model since it offers dependable and safe performance. If you are confused and want to know whether the dodge charger is a safe model, the below facts will help you remove all the confusion.

• The owners of dodge Chargers take their vehicle to the service center at a rate of 0.2 times/year. On the other hand, this rate is 0.4 times/year for other vehicle models.
• Compared to other car types, the repair cost of the dodge charger is 2X less.

You can buy any generation of dodge chargers without hesitation, except for 2006 models. The reason for avoiding this generation is shared in the “dodge charger year to avoid” section.

Dodge Charger Models by Year

Several different models of dodge chargers have appeared since its inception. Each model is distinctive from another. Let’s look at the key features of dodge charger models by year from the below section.

Dodge Charger 2011 – Present (7th Generation)

3 iterations are available of dodge charger’s 7th generation. The first one was released in the 2011 – 2014 model years, and it comes in blue color. The next iteration was the 2015 model year, available in red color. The most recent one has been in the industry since 2019. Key features of the 7th generation are:

• Instrument cluster display of 7”
• Revised Uconnect touchscreen
• 8-speed ZF automatic transmission

Dodge Charger 2006 – 2010 (LX 6th Generation)

The 6th generation of the Dodge charger debuted as a 4-door sedan. It was considered a half-muscle car or full sedan. It features the following points.

• All-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive
• 2 V6s and 2 Hemi V8s
• The base trim has 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6

Dodge Charger 1982 – 1987 (L Body 5th Generation)

Before introducing the 6th generation, the dodge charger took a few years of production break from the industry. The improved design was the most advanced one at that time. This generation includes the below features.

• Smaller look with a smaller engine
• Inline 4-cylinder engine
• 80” wheelbase

Dodge Charger 1975 – 1978 (B-body 4th Generation)

With improved design from the previous (2nd) version, Dodge Charger’s 4th generation got a luxury look. The carriage lines were replaced with the sharp, beautiful lines of a sedan. The feature includes.

• Whooping 10” increase of the length from the earlier model.
• 2-door car with a V8 engine
• High performance 4 barrel features 225 HP

Dodge Charger 1971 – 1974 (B-Body 3rd Generation)

The 3rd generation of dodge Chargers featured a slightly rounded body. Its design was distinctive from the earlier models, and this generation gained much popularity at that time. The notable features are as below.

• 3-speed automatic and manual, the 4-speed manual transmission was available
• On the hood, they featured a pop=up scoop and a rear spoiler
• 440-cubic inch engine

Dodge Charger 1968 – 1970 (B-Body 2nd Generation)

With a sophisticated look, this generation had an appealing look than its previous version. The rear and front clips were curved, and due to this, it was known as a coke bottle profile. Essential features of the 2nd generation are listed below.

• 2-door car
• Two 383 cubic-inch V8 engines
• A 3.7-liter inline-six cylinder unit

Dodge Charger 1966 – 1987 (B-body 1st Generation)

The 1st generation of dodge charger was launched in 1966. It was a large and hefty car, but it didn’t have the image of a muscle car. Few worth-mentioning features are following.

• Unique interior with rear bucket seats
• Courtesy lights and instrument panels
• Powerful V8 engine

Best year for dodge charger

Dodge charger continues its dazzling journey of 60 years in the vehicle industry. If you plan to buy a dodge charger model, you can go with the below years, which are considered the best.

Dodge Charger 1968 – 1970

This year’s model is so popular that it doesn’t require any introduction. The sleek designed model has been seen in the Fast and Furious franchise. Its performance is stunning with a combination of comfortable interior and aggressive style. Regardless of the condition, this is a classic car, equipped with 318, 383, 440, and 426 cubic inches of V8 fury.

Dodge Charger 2011 – Present

This 4-door dodge charger is another popular one that you might have seen that many people are driving. The delivered torque from the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is 650 lb.-ft. It is designed with sporty and more aggressive direction, making it much more powerful than its ancestors.

Dodge Charger 1966 – 1987

The 2nd generation design focused on the muscle car, which was ignored in the first generation. In recent times, customers are now looking for this classic designed car because of its impressive performance. The folding cargo seat offers significant cargo space. Similar to its famous successor, it also uses a V8 engine which is so reliable and powerful.

Dodge Charger 1971 – 1974

This version was launched after several revisions and impressed the customer with its amazing B-body design. With better quarter-mile time and the best mark in the handling department, it is worth the price. 

Dodge Charger 1982 – 1987

The dodge charger 1982 – 1987 model was the first to introduce a front-engine and front-wheel-drive system. Also, its ancestors offered V8 under the hood; it was equipped with a 4-banger, which makes it a European sport compact coupe. Moreover, a Shelby charger has used this generation and engineered using a high-generation engine that creates 107 HP.

Dodge Charger 1975 – 1978

This dodge charger generation hit the market after so many technological advancements. The manufacturer transformed it with a 3-door subcompact hatchback with front-wheel drive. This generation was a great example of a luxury car with a new look and impressive performance.

Dodge charger years to avoid

Buying a dodge charger model can be exciting for reliable and outstanding execution. But don’t assume that all generations are best in their quality. When buying a dodge charger, you must avoid the below generation to ensure your money is valued.

Dodge Charger 2006 – 2010

Avoid buying the dodge charger’s 6th generation (2006 – 2010). Carcomplaint.com has received several complaints from customers, and the more important thing is, the fixes were costly. Also, the same issues were repeating in this generation. That is why we recommend you avoid the dodge charger 2006 – 2010 model.

Now that question is, which complications were more?

2006 – 2010 model shows engine problem most. If you want to avoid engine problems, avoid buying it.

Many customers faced premature engine failure while driving. After driving the 90,000-mile mark, this issue began.

Dodge charger recall check

The manufacturing repairs are known as recall, and the manufacturer will bear the repair cost.

In order to ensure safety, you can check the recall history of the dodge charger by visiting the https://www.cars.com/research/dodge-charger/recalls/.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall information is prepared. 

However, see the table below where we mentioned the total recall numbers from 2006 – 2019.

Year	Recall Numbers
2006	5
2007	5
2008	5
2009	6
2010	6
2011	11
2012	14
2013	8
2014	10
2015	8
2016	6
2017	4
2018	4
2019	3

Do Dodge Chargers rust?

If you ensure proper care of your dodge charger, you will never experience rust issues.

Many consumers claimed that they regularly maintained their dodge charger and did not find rust even after driving 100K miles.

Your vehicle will be exposed to oxygen and get rust if the paint of the metallic parts is chipped off.

When it happens, you must contact an authorized dealer and resolve the issue without fail. Otherwise, rust will spread soon.

Follow the below points to keep your vehicle rust-free.

• Regular washing of your vehicle is the secret
• Applying anti-rust spray would be a great solution
• Park your vehicle at indoor

What are the most common problems with a Dodge Charger?

Undoubtedly, the dodge charger is a reliable model; it has few complications. Here, we shared some problems for different model years.

Brake System

Several car owners of the 2019 dodge charger experienced problems with their brake system. They found a sudden increase in the erratic behavior and vibration occurring in their car brake system. Other repeated reports of this model are broken rotors, non-fit rear brake pads. As a result, the owners feel discomfort while driving. It can be dangerous as well if unaddressed.

The good news is that; you can fix these issues conveniently by replacing the brake pads. In this case, you will need to cost $20 – $ 100.

Suspension Issues

Many owners hear abnormal sounds from their 2013 dodge charger. Sometimes, controlling the power steering becomes challenging for them. More importantly, they lose the power steering control suddenly.

Abnormal noise is created when the tension struts get damaged, and worn-out bushings are responsible for unstable steering. A car crash may happen due to both issues.

Generally, the service life of suspension parts is a maximum of 1000 miles. You can avoid these complications by maintaining periodic maintenance. Frequent servicing will ensure the top shape of your vehicle’s suspension system.

Defective Airbags

This issue arises in the dodge charger’s 2012 model. Owners experienced the below troubles.

• Failure of the airbag module sensor
• Stuck airbags
• An activated airbag light

That is why, in 2015, Chrysler recalled the dodge charger in 2012.

Engine Failure

The owners of the dodge charger 2006 version complained about the premature engine failure. They faced several problems related to the engine, including damaged valves and cylinders, motor failure, etc. All of these problems didn’t trigger the version’s warning light. This way, until the engine stopped working, owners were unable to know about the complications.

If you ever face an engine problem, don’t forget to address it with your mechanic when doing regular maintenance.

How to ensure that your Dodge Charger will last?

Every dodge charger owner wants long service life from their vehicle. But the longevity of a vehicle relies on a few factors, which are listed below.

• Maintain periodic maintenance according to the dealer instruction
• To avoid rust, wash your vehicle regularly
• The gas tank needs to be filled before it gets low
• Inspect the fluids frequently
• Make sure that you inflate the tire with the recommended PSI. Confirm tire rotation system following the right policy

FAQs

Sum Up

In this guide, we shared enough information about the dodge charger. We believe you got the answer to the question, “how long do dodge chargers last.”

At the same time, we looked at the comparison between different vehicle models and dodge chargers so that you can make a precise decision while buying a dodge charger. This vehicle model is reliable, efficient, and safe, undoubtedly.

Resources:

• https://truckgift.com/how-long-do-dodge-chargers-last/
• https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/dodge-charger-reliability/
• https://enginepatrol.com/how-long-do-dodge-charger-last/
• https://motorandwheels.com/how-long-do-dodge-chargers-last/
• https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-many-miles-will-a-dodge-charger-last/
• https://www.hotcars.com/buy-chrysler-300-or-dodge-charger/