The Dodge Challenger is one of those cars that has a strong cult following and as many might think it to be just for its performance, the car also holds great practicality for a midsize muscle coupe. Since Dodge falls under the umbrella of Chrysler, maintaining the coupe does not seem to be a major task as the service network is widespread across the country. Another factor that proves the vehicle to be widely accepted by the masses is the fact that Dodge was able to sell 52,995 units of the challenger in 2020. Although this might sound like a win-win for Dodge, the brand faces serious competitors such as the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Adding to this were some of the serious trouble that users had to face such as a potential fire hazard and a glitchy screen which was said to affect a lot of 2020 Dodge Challengers. NHTSA reports a total of 8 complaints and 1 recall for this model out of which, the majority of issues pertained to an electrical flaw that disturbs the engine performance and also exposes the vehicle to a possible fire.
Electrical Problems
- Touchscreen – It was stated by numerous users that the infotainment screen would flicker without any warning, making it almost impossible to use it. Users also mentioned that the toggles would freeze and the icons on the screen would glitch. When the problem was inspected by the dealers, it was found that the screen had no issues but the Uconnect system that the infotainment runs on needed to be completely reset. The technicians claimed it to be a software issue and that it was common on this particular model.
- Wiring harness – Users claimed that the vehicle would lose power all of a sudden while driving and this forced the owners to stop the vehicle by the shoulder of the road to stay safe. There were instances where the car even caught fire which seemed to be coming from the engine bay. The safety team extinguished the fire and the totaled vehicle was taken to the dealership for an inspection and Chrysler was able to discover a faulty wiring harness in the engine bay which can overheat and ignite the components surrounding it. This is also the reason why the car loses power at random times as the faulty wiring fails to communicate between the engine and the electronics of the car.
Mechanical Problems
- Powertrain – It was reported by users that they could hear a ticking noise despite not having driven the car a lot. The dealers requested the users to get the vehicle repaired while the car barely put any miles on the odo and this was later found put be a known issue that Dodge failed to notify the owners about. It was said that the engine had a defective valve train with failing rocker arms that created the ticking noise. This can also contaminate the oil and further damage the powertrain. Although only limited vehicles are affected, the dealer might have to get the engine rebuilt or replaced depending on the degree of damage.
2020 Dodge Challenger recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
8th July 2021 |
21V516000 |
Inadequate Windshield Bonding/FMVSS 212 |
The windshield might have been improperly glued to the car during construction, which would have made it possible for it to come loose in an accident. Consequently, these cars do not meet the standards of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting." The possibility of injury rises when a windshield shatters during a collision. |
The front windshield urethane sealant will be removed and replaced by dealers for free. Starting August 31, 2021, owner notification letters were sent out. |
Should you buy the 2020 Dodge Challenger?
Unlike other muscle cars, the 2020 Dodge Challenger is also liked by the family audience as the car not only provides ample cabin space but is also easy in terms of repairs and fixes as parts are almost readily available. The car also has huge after-market support, further widening the ease of finding parts. This could also be a reason for the car to score 87 on the J.D.Powers scale for reliability and quality. Although a fire hazard was reported on this particular model, Chrysler has confirmed it to be an issue with a limited batch of the Challenger made during a particular time frame and similar is the case with its engine having a ticking noise. However, do make sure to check for any unusual clicks from the engine while looking for a used Challenger and if that is the case, it's better to stay away from such a vehicle rather than to proceed with its 5-year powertrain warranty to get the engine replaced as the process could get tedious. Dodge will also soon be going all-electric with their lineup and hence, we believe the chances of getting your hands on one of these vehicles are going to get slimmer over time hence, picking the Dodge Challenger over its rivals is the ideal way to go.
