Are Dodges Reliable? Dodge Reliability by Model
Across the 6 most-documented Dodge models, CarWhere's analysis of 23,257 NHTSA complaints finds 6 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Caravan carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
23,257 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Dodge owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 6 Dodge models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Dodge reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Durango | 4,543 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2021 | 2008, 2009, 2020 and 2023 | 3.8× |
| Dodge Charger | 3,912 | 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016 | 2021 | 4.4× |
| Dodge Challenger | 1,680 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 | 2020 and 2021 | 2.9× |
| Dodge Journey | 5,488 | 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016 | 2019 and 2020 | 4.2× |
| Dodge Caravan | 716 | 2008 and 2009 | 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 | 5× |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | 6,918 | 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 | 2019 and 2020 | 3.3× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Dodge owners report the most trouble
Dodge Caravan: 2 model years flagged to avoid (2008 and 2009) — the worst logged up to 5× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Dodge Charger: 7 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016) — the worst logged up to 4.4× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Dodge Journey: 5 model years flagged to avoid (2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016) — the worst logged up to 4.2× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Dodges reliable?
Dodge reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 6 most-documented Dodge models, 6 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Dodge model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Caravan carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Dodge sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Dodge?
Every Dodge model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Caravan has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Dodge models have the most years to avoid?
The Dodge models carrying the most flagged years are the Caravan (2 years flagged, worst up to 5× its own average), the Charger (7 years flagged, worst up to 4.4× its own average), the Journey (5 years flagged, worst up to 4.2× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Dodge before buying?
Start with the free Dodge window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/dodge to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 6 most-documented Dodge models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.