2019 Dodge Challenger
Gas Midsize car
The 2019 Dodge Challenger is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Challenger, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 58 complaints, most often about electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger | Gas | RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 19 | 30 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Challenger GT | Gas | AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Challenger | Gas | RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,750 |
| Challenger | Gas | RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 15 | 23 | 18 | $4,300 |
| Challenger | Gas | RWD | 6.4L 8-cyl | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 |
| Challenger | Gas | RWD | 6.4L 8-cyl | 14 | 23 | 17 | $4,550 |
| Challenger SRT | Gas | RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 13 | 22 | 16 | $4,850 |
| Challenger SRT | Gas | RWD | 6.2L 8-cyl | 13 | 21 | 16 | $4,850 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2019 Dodge Challenger is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (3)
Back Over Prevention
minorProblem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Tires
highProblem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger vehicles. An incompatible front wheel and brake package was installed and may allow the front tire to contact the steering knuckle, causing tire damage.
Risk: A damaged tire can suddenly lose air pressure and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wheels and inspect and replace the front tires, as necessary. In addition, dealers will inspect the wheel alignment, adjusting it if necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is VB0.
Electrical System
highProblem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Dodge Challenger and Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Control and Displays."
Risk: Failure of the instrument cluster to properly illuminate may prevent the driver from receiving warnings about the vehicle's systems, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V32.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (open)
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
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002
Owner complaints
58 complaints filed
5 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2019: 4 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 12 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 2
Most-cited components
- Electrical System — 17
- Unknown Or Other — 14
- Wheels — 11
- Steering — 8
- Engine — 8
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 11% |
| 2 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 11% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Challenger model years
2023 Challenger
2 recalls · 41 complaints
B2022 Challenger
2 recalls · 9 complaints
B2021 Challenger
2 recalls · 19 complaints
A2020 Challenger
1 recalls · 20 complaints
C2018 Challenger
3 recalls · 75 complaints
D2017 Challenger
3 recalls · 49 complaints
A2016 Challenger
1 recalls · 78 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 40597, 40604, 40598, 40599, 40600, 40601, 40602, 40603). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.