The Dodge Charger has managed to prove itself to be a different midsize sedan by setting performance as its major focus and carrying a muscle car design. That does not mean the car does not pay attention to reliability as the Charger has officially been rated 87 out of a possible 100 on J.D.Powers reliability scale. However, the car carries a total of 4 recalls and 46 complaints on NHTSA, which is especially disappointing considering Dodge was able to sell just 4,615 units, which is lesser than what was achieved the last year. Complaints were not the only reason for the low sales as the Charger stands against rivals such as the Kia Stinger, the Toyota Avalon, and the Chrysler 300, which all come with lesser complaints. Despite its low interest when newly launched, the car seems to hold its value well as it currently sells for an average of $26,000, which isn’t a massive drop from the $30,959 that it was originally listed for.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- USB – The users complained that the USB ports on the armrest failed to work and this made it impossible for them to use connected services such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It was found that an electrical short had damaged the wiring that is responsible for the power supply which was later replaced to fix the issue.
Structural Problems
- Center console – It was reported that the center console screen started to delaminate, causing various controls to engage by themselves without any user inputs. Dealers later replaced the screen and the control screen digitizer.
- Headlights – It was stated that the users found the factory headlamps inadequate while driving at night and cast poor beams of light. This was a design flaw and the users had to rely on after-market solutions to overcome the issue.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine cooling – Users complained about the engine temperature rising very often, forcing them to stop the car until the temperature drops down to safe levels. It was later found out by the dealers that the radiator had broken and would need to be replaced.
- Brakes – it was noticed that the rear brake pads were not completely in contact with the rotors and looked undersized. The dealers claimed this to be normal and as per design but larger pads from the factory would make the braking much more effective.
Safety Problem
- Airbag – A report stated that the passenger-side airbag failed to deploy in the event of a crash and the warning lights for the airbags were flashing after the collision. Detailed investigation revealed that the under-seat sensor was faulty and failed to recognize the occupant.
2019 Dodge Charger recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
27th August 2020 |
20V512000 |
Stealth Mode Disables Camera Display/FMVSS 111 |
When a pursuit vehicle is in stealth mode, the backup camera picture does not show when it is moving in reverse. The FMVSS number 111, "Rearview Mirrors," regulations are thus broken by these vehicles. The likelihood of a collision rises in the absence of a backup camera display. |
Owners will be informed by Chrysler, and dealers will provide a free software update to the body control module that will turn off the stealth mode when the vehicle is in "Reverse." |
|
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 you anything. |
|
3. |
28th March 2019 |
19V246000 |
Sun Visors May Lack Airbag Warning Information |
The necessary airbag warning information might not be present on the driver's and passenger's sun visors. As a result, these cars do not adhere to FMVSS 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." Injury risk rises when the airbag warning information is not provided. |
Owners have been informed by Chrysler, and dealers will free of charge replace the driver's and passenger's sun visors. |
|
4. |
14th March 2019 |
19V203000 |
Driver Warnings May Not Illuminate |
Driver alerts may not be adequately lit up by the instrument cluster. The FMVSS number 101, "Control and Displays," criteria are thereby broken by these cars. The risk of a collision may increase if the instrument cluster's illumination is inadequate because the driver may not get warnings from the car's systems. |
Dealers will update the software for the instrument cluster at no cost after Chrysler notifies owners. |
Should you buy the 2019 Dodge Charger?
The Dodge Charger despite its low sales has been a reliable choice for many and was also used as a pursuit vehicle. Though the car has received good scores, it carries a fair share of complaints that mostly pertained to its electrical outlet's malfunctioning and poor engine cooling which questioned the car's structural integrity. It was also stated that the Charger had a poor headlight and that the users had to rely on after-market parts to have better nighttime visibility. Despite all these issues and 4 recalls, the prompt and easy response from the team kept the ownership flawless for the owners. We would highly recommend picking the 2019 Dodge Charger over its predecessor as it's proven to hold its value well. It is mandatory to get the radiator and USB ports on the car checked when picking one as these were seen to be the most common aspects to be ignored.
