Dodge Challenger Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 188 of the 1,684 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2023 Dodge Challenger (11.2%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2010, 2015 and 2009.
Transmission complaints
188
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2023 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
11.2%
of 1,684 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Dodge Challenger transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 08V458000 | 0 |
| 2009WORST | 27 | 20.5% | 1 | 08V458000 | 8 |
| 2010WORST | 36 | 12.1% | 2 | — | 11 |
| 2011 | 8 | 4.2% | 2 | — | 20 |
| 2012 | 17 | 6.7% | 0 | — | 30 |
| 2013 | 16 | 8.9% | 1 | — | 42 |
| 2014 | 12 | 8.2% | 1 | 18E053000 | 47 |
| 2015WORST | 29 | 23% | 2 | 18E053000 | 90 |
| 2016 | 16 | 20.5% | 1 | 18E053000 | 65 |
| 2017 | 5 | 10.2% | 2 | 17V431000 | 41 |
| 2018 | 8 | 10.8% | 0 | 18E05300018V280000 | 34 |
| 2019 | 7 | 12.3% | 0 | — | 48 |
| 2020 | 3 | 15% | 0 | — | 48 |
| 2021 | 3 | 15.8% | 0 | — | 53 |
| 2022 | 1 | 11.1% | 0 | — | 40 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 26 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Dodge Challenger transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 188 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Dodge Challenger years to avoid for the transmission
2010 Dodge Challenger
36 transmission complaints (12.1% of the year's 298). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
2015 Dodge Challenger
29 transmission complaints (23% of the year's 126). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 18E053000.
2009 Dodge Challenger
27 transmission complaints (20.5% of the year's 132). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 08V458000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Dodge Challenger years to avoid.
Dodge Challenger transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Dodge Challenger model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 18E053000 · 2018-07-12 · 2014–2016 and 2018 models
The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control…
- 18V280000 · 2018-05-01 · 2018 models
An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
- 17V431000 · 2017-07-07 · 2017 models
The transmission may not remain in the PARK position if that gear is selected, the engine is still running, and the driver exits the vehicle exited.
- 08V458000 · 2008-09-10 · 2008–2009 models
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 STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PREVENTION." IF…
Which transmission does the Dodge Challenger use?
- ZF 8-speed (8HP / TorqueFlite 8) — 2015–2023 (automatic models)
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 36 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Dodge Challenger, 12.1% of all 298 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (4 complaints). 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2015 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 29 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2015 Dodge Challenger, 23% of all 126 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (8 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 18E053000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2009 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 27 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, 20.5% of all 132 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (5 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 08V458000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Dodge Challenger years have the most transmission complaints?
2010 (36), 2015 (29) and 2009 (27), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Dodge Challenger transmission problems?
In the 188 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (15.4%), loss of power or limp mode (5.9%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (5.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Dodge Challenger model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration