The Dodge Challenger has been around in the market with barely any changes made for a long time and the market for muscular midsize coupes has always considered the Challenger to be a great choice. Market rants aside, the stats show that the car is average in terms of reliability as J.D.Power scored it 80 out of a possible 100. The car carries a total of 31 complaints and 3 recalls, which is a better report when compared to the previous year. However, sales have been dropping and Dodge could not beat the 66,700 mark that it achieved in 2018. The drop in sales wasn’t the only concern that Dodge had as it had to face rivals such as the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro, and the BMW 2-Series, which all had lesser issues and complaints to handle. The 2019 Dodge Challenger when brand new cost $29,590 but it currently carries an average value of $26,000 for a fairly run model, suggesting the vehicle holds its value well.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Warning lights – Users complained that the check engine light would glow repeatedly and when diagnosed, the dealers confirmed that there were no issues with the engine. This was a common complaint amongst the Challenger owners and the issue was later found to be with the electrical module responsible for the warning lights. Dealers fixed the issues by resetting the module.
- Window sensor – It was reported that the driver-side window would go up and down by itself, allowing wind/dust to enter the cabin. Users also found this to be draining the battery way too much and when inspected by a dealership, it was found that the smart window sensor had a malfunction that needed to be replaced.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – Users complained that the vehicle would make a knocking sound coming from its engine bay while driving. A report even mentioned that the engine was totaled due to this issue, needing the entire motor to be replaced. Online reports suggest this to be an issue caused due to the high oil consumption that the Challenger has. Dealers suggested getting the oil level checked at regular intervals to avoid encountering this issue.
- Transmission – It was found that the transmission on may 201 Challengers was stuck in certain gears, making it impossible to speed up or drive safely. The vehicle had to be brought to a halt a towed to the dealership to inspect the issue. It was found that the clutch disc splines and the input shaft splines had dry grease and dust accumulation. The dealers had to pull the transmission and clutch out in order to clean it completely.
- Brakes – The user noticed the brake lines on the passenger side running too close to the exhaust manifold. This was inspected by the dealers and they stated that it has the possibility of causing a fire and hot brake fluid is inflammable in the presence of any heat source. Users got the brake lines replaced and re-routed in the right manner under warranty.
Safety Problem
- Airbag – A user complained that after the car was involved in a head-on collision crash, the airbags failed to deploy, causing higher injuries. The dealers inspected the vehicle and found that the airbag module needed to be re-calibrated since it failed to register crashes below a certain level of force.
2019 Dodge Challenger recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
2nd April 2020 |
20V191000 |
Rearview Image Can Remain on Display/FMVSS 111 |
The rearview camera image might still be visible after the car has been moved out of reverse due to a software glitch. The FMVSS number 111, "Rearview Mirrors," regulations are thus broken by these vehicles. Driving while distracted by the lingering rearview vision increases the likelihood of a collision. |
Dealers will update the software for the radio display at no cost after Chrysler notifies owners. Owners have the option to upgrade their software remotely using an OTA update starting on May 1, 2020. |
|
2. |
24th October 2019 |
19V758000 |
Front Tires May Be Damaged |
The installation of an unsuitable front wheel and brake package could allow the front tire to make contact with the steering knuckle, thereby damaging the tire. Unexpected air pressure loss from a damaged tire might increase the likelihood of a collision. |
Owners will be notified by FCA US, and dealers will check and replace the front tires as needed in addition to replacing the front wheels. Dealers will also check the wheel alignment and make any necessary adjustments. These fixes will be made without charging the owners any additional cost. |
|
3. |
14th March 2019 |
19V203000 |
Driver Warnings May Not Illuminate |
Driver warnings may not be appropriately illuminated by the instrument cluster. Because of this, the FMVSS number 101, "Control and Displays," criteria are not met by these cars. The risk of a collision may increase if the instrument cluster is not adequately illuminated and the driver is not informed of system warnings. |
Dealers will update the software for the instrument cluster at no cost after Chrysler notifies owners. |
Should you buy the 2019 Dodge Challenger?
The Dodge Challenger is no new name in the muscle car market and despite it carrying a massive legacy, the vehicle has been facing complaints and troubles due to not having any changes made in recent times. A lot of users complained about the car's faulty electronics and constant powertrain issues but Dodge was able to rectify them in no time. Users also seemed to appreciate the service network and easily available parts for the car both from OEM as well as after-market suppliers, making the Challenger a hassle-free vehicle to maintain. We would recommend picking the 2019 Challenger over its older variants as it proved to hold its value and also happens to be one of the last few gas-run models before electrification takes charge. It is necessary to make sure that the car has the right amount of oil and also no false warnings on the dashboard before driving the vehicle off the dealership.
