2008 Dodge Challenger: common problems and reliability

The 2008 Dodge Challenger has 10 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and air bags. Owners most often flag poor fuel economy — very frequent mention as a significant ownership cost, especially with v8 models.

Safety record for the 2008 model year

10
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
1
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Dodge Challenger vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
4
air bags
4
engine
3
vehicle speed control
2
fuel/propulsion system
2

Recalls affecting the 2008 Challenger

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 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 …

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 15V444000

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag …

power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

Campaign 08V458000

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 6,636 MY 2008-2009 DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND "KEYLESS GO" OPTION. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDAR…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is generally positive, with owners expressing strong affection for the vehicle's character, comfort, and performance. The Challenger is consistently praised as a large, comfortable, and fun-to-drive cruiser with a powerful, rumbling V8 engine, offeri

  • Poor fuel economy — Very frequent mention as a significant ownership cost, especially with V8 models.
  • Dated/interior quality — Interior design and materials feel cheap and outdated compared to segment competitors. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical issues — General mentions of electrical gremlins being a fair share of problems. Frequency: isolated.
  • Water pump failure — Mentioned as an issue on a 2018 Scat Pack, covered under warranty. Frequency: isolated.
  • Theft target — Challengers are specifically named as targets for organized theft rings using electronic bypass devices. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Challenger.

Typical used price

Used Challenger listings typically run $16,694–$35,426 across 2009 to 2023 model years.

Other Challenger model years

2023 Challenger2022 Challenger2019 Challenger2018 Challenger2017 Challenger2015 Challenger2014 Challenger2011 Challenger2009 Challenger
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