2018 Dodge Challenger power train problems
This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.
Related recalls
- 18E053000 · Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control s…
- 18V280000 · Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.…
Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“Driving along and all of a sudden the shifter lights started flashing, wipers turned on, steering became difficult, and finally the transmission locked up. Stalled in the middle of the hiway turn lane and because the transmission was locked up it couldn't even be pushed out of the way. Traffic was backed up and people trying to get around because I was blocking a major hiway intersection. The dodge dealership has had the car 3 times and finally diagnosed it as the rack and pinion plug.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 06/09/2026
“ON JUNE 5, 2021 VEHICLE STALLED AT STOPLIGHT ON RAMP AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY. CAR HAD POWER BUT WOULD NOT START, GEARS COULD NOT CHANGE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS, SO SYMPTOMS TO SHOW A PROBLEM MAY EXIST. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AND SAT IN TRAFFIC FOR OVER AN HOUR WAITING ON TOW TRUCK. BATTERY CHECKED AND VERIFIED IN GOOD CONDITION. NO TROUBLE CODES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THIS EXACT MODEL CAR KNOWN UNDER RECALL 18V524000, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VIN DOES NO SHO…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 06/06/2021
“IN MOTION 40MPH ON SURFACE STREETS THE CAR MADE A BIG BANG THEN FOLLOWING SUPER LOAD CHATTERING AND VIBRATION FEEL FROM THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BREAKING APART NOT ALLOWING TO THE CAR TO GO INTO ANY GEAR ONLY 25000MILES ON THE CAR.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 01/23/2021
“MANUAL TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHILE MAKING GEAR SHIFT CHANGE STARTED HAPPENING AT 19000 MILES THEN AT 25000 MILES THE CLUTCH SHATTERED INTO A 100 PIECES MAKEING A LOUD BANG AND NONE STOP CHATTERING WHILE DRIVING IN 3RD GEAR AT 40MPH ON CITY STREET CAUSING COMPLETE CLUTCH FAILURE AN UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AFTER THE CLUTCH FAILURE ONLY LEAVING NEUTRAL AVAILABLE. CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO QUICKLY COAST AND PULL OVER 3 LANES AND PARK BEFORE GET…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 01/22/2021
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO ISLAND CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 1239 HYLAND BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305, 718-667-8989). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, WHILE DRIVING, SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. T…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 09/12/2019
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL HISSING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1460 E OSCEOLA PKWY, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744, (407) 288-8243), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 59369352. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE L…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 08/19/2019
“NEW VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER TWICE PRIOR TO REACHING 15K MILES. BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED, BUT SAID TO BE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. VEHICLE HAS LONG STOPS IN CITY DRIVING ESPECIALLY AFTER LONG PERIODS OF TIME WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE NOT BEEN USED, WHEN THERE IS NO PRESSURE IN THE LINE. THE CAR WAS RE-ASSIGNED A NEW STAR CASE BY FCA DODGE 58387971, FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE REP "SARAH" AT EXTENSION 3020683. 1 APPOINTMENT WAS SET UP TO BRING BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT WHEN I COULD NOT MALE THE APPT. SHE C…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 06/03/2019
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE BUSHES. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA CHRYSLER (2727 DOWD DR, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED TOO LONG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 05/16/2018
Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.
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- How common are 2018 Dodge Challenger power train problems?
- 8 owners reported power train issues to NHTSA for the 2018 Dodge Challenger. Counts scale with how many were sold.
- Is there a recall for 2018 Dodge Challenger power train problems?
- Yes — campaign 18E053000, campaign 18V280000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.