Dodge Charger 6th generation (2006–2010)
Generation-specific owner insights from 155+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
2,901
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2006–2010
27
recall campaigns
electrical system
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment on the 2006-2010 Charger is sharply divided and heavily dependent on engine choice, model year, and how the car was treated.
14 problems reported (1 very frequent, 9 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentFront suspension wear, including tie rods, sway bar links, bushings, and tension struts
- RecurrentValve seat failure causing engine destruction on early Hemi cars
- RecurrentLifter and camshaft wear on 5.7L Hemi cars, sometimes linked to MDS
+ 11 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentTransmission concerns, including lurching, delayed shifting, and sensor failure
- RecurrentElectrical faults including dash lights, gauges, traction control, and ABS warning lights
- RecurrentWheel speed sensor failure causing ABS and traction control lights
- Recurrent2.7L V6 oil sludging and design flaws
- RecurrentBattery and charging issues causing multiple warning lights and no-start conditions
- RecurrentCooling system problems, including coolant leaks and water pump and timing chain expense on V6s
- RecurrentWindow fogging and moisture intrusion, including water under the carpet
- IsolatedPaint and rust problems, particularly on east-coast cars
- IsolatedSteering rack and driveshaft failure at very high mileage
- IsolatedPCM failure causing stalling
- IsolatedHeaders without a tune causing lean running and backfire codes
The version owners recommend
The strongest consensus points to the 2009-2010 cars, and specifically the SRT8 with the 6.1L Hemi, as the best of this generation. Owners describe the 6.1 as essentially bulletproof and the 09-10 cars as having most of the early LX kinks worked out. The 5.7L Hemi is also well regarded, particularly pre-MDS examples, but is repeatedly tied to valve seat and lifter concerns on the earliest years. The 2.7L V6 is the version owners most consistently tell buyers to avoid.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Magnum, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
Is a 2006–2010 Charger right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment on the 2006-2010 Charger is sharply divided and heavily dependent on engine choice, model year, and how the car was treated. The 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi cars draw genuine praise as rugged, truck-derived drivetrains that can run to high mileage when maintained, while the 2.7L V6 is widely condemned and the 3.5L V6 is described as reliable but slow, thirsty, and surrounded by cheap interior and electrical complaints. Early cars, especially 2006-2008, are repeatedly flagged for catastrophic engine risks, while 2009-2010 models are described by some owners as the point where the platform's kinks were worked out. A recurring theme is that the car's condition and maintenance history matter far more than the badge, since so many examples have been abused by prior owners.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Charger as a lot of V8 muscle and presence for very little money, but repeatedly warn that it is not the sensible cheap-transport choice that a Camry, Corolla, or Accord is. Against the Chrysler 300, Challenger, and Magnum it is treated as the same platform and drivetrain in a different body, with the 300 and Magnum cited as direct mechanical siblings. Against the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car, the Charger is framed as the more fun but less plush and less trouble-free full-size option. Against the G35/G37 and Maxima, owners suggest those as alternatives when reliability over 100k miles is the priority. The recurring framing is that the Charger is a truck drivetrain stuffed into a car body: strong and cheap to keep running, but not a car to buy blind.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 5.7L or 6.1L Hemi over any V6, and within the V6s they prefer the 3.5L with the 5-speed automatic over the 3.5L with the 4-speed or the 2.7L. The 2009-2010 model years are preferred over 2006-2008, with 2006 singled out as the worst year. Buyers are advised to favor bone-stock, well-documented cars over modified ones, and to have a mechanic inspect before purchase. For anyone wanting a project rather than a daily, owners suggest the Hemi cars can be worthwhile if bought cheap with money left over for repairs.
General recommendations
This generation suits buyers who want cheap V8 sound and rear-drive fun, can do some of their own work, and have a budget beyond the purchase price for fuel, insurance, and repairs. It is a poor choice as a tight-budget only car or a first car, and owners repeatedly steer those buyers toward a Civic, Corolla, or Camry instead. Prefer 2009-2010 over 2006-2008, avoid the 2.7L V6 entirely, and be cautious with the 3.5L paired to the 4-speed automatic. Always get a pre-purchase inspection, run a vehicle history report, verify maintenance records, and specifically check for valve seat and lifter issues on early Hemi cars, transmission behavior, front suspension wear, and electrical faults. Retired police cars are widely advised against.
Remarks
A recurring point of agreement is that the 5.7L Hemi is an iron block with aluminum heads and that the LX-platform cars share one engine family across models. Owners also note that the Hemi uses a timing chain rather than a belt, and that spark plugs are a 16-plug job with a short interval. Several owners stress that the car's reputation for being bought by irresponsible owners makes finding a well-kept example the single biggest challenge. Analysis based on approximately 155 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 238 | 6 | electrical system |
| 2009 | 175 | 6 | electrical system |
| 2008 | 624 | 5 | electrical system |
| 2007 | 570 | 5 | power train |
| 2006 | 1,294 | 5 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V018000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V021000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V352000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
2010 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 15V313000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
2010 · electrical system:ignition:modulecampaign 10V200000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER 300, DODGE CHALLENGER, CHARGER, JEEP COMMANDER, GRAND CHEROKEE AND DODGE RAM VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A WIRELESS IGNITION NODE (WIN) MODULE EXHIBITING A BINDING CONDITION OF THE SOLENOID LATCH.
2010 · wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studscampaign 09V420000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT A FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V021000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V352000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
2009 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 15V313000
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
2009 · tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systemscampaign 08V642000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 175 MY 2009 DODGE CHARGER, CHALLENGER, AND CHRYSLER 300 VEHICLES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) SENSORS MAY NOT TRANSMIT THE ACTUAL TIRE PRESSURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER NOT BEING AWARE OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE.
2009 · wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studscampaign 09V420000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITHOUT A FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.
2009 · power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shiftcampaign 08V583000
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 20,283 MY 2006-2009 CHARGER AND MAGNUM VEHICLES BUILT WITH THE POLICE PACKAGE AND EQUIPPED WITH A COLUMN SHIFTER. THE GEARSHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BRACKET AND CAUSE AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION GEARSHIFT POSITION DISPLAY.
6 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.