Dodge Charger Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some. 371 of the 3,992 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Dodge Charger (9.3%) name the transmission, 0.7× the median share across the 139 models we track. Across the 2015–2022 cohorts with published sales, the Dodge Charger rate is 0.13 per 1,000 sold, below the 0.28 median. The worst years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
371
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
0.13
2015–2022 cohorts
Share of all complaints
9.3%
of 3,992 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
10
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Dodge Charger transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline), and per 1,000 vehicles sold where a published U.S. sales figure exists. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Per 1,000 sold | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 35 | — | 5.6% | 2 | 08V58300008V295000 | 3 |
| 2009 | 6 | — | 3.4% | 0 | 08V583000 | 0 |
| 2010 | 19 | — | 8% | 3 | — | 0 |
| 2011 | 21 | — | 3% | 1 | — | 17 |
| 2012WORST | 66 | — | 10% | 7 | 16V240000 | 46 |
| 2013WORST | 48 | — | 13.1% | 6 | 16V24000013V610000 | 51 |
| 2014WORST | 60 | — | 17.3% | 9 | 18E05300017V09700016V240000 | 70 |
| 2015 | 32 | 0.34 | 23.5% | 1 | 18E05300018V28100017V097000 | 76 |
| 2016 | 25 | 0.26 | 13.7% | 2 | 18E05300018V28100017V097000 | 62 |
| 2017 | 16 | 0.18 | 12.8% | 0 | 18V28100017V097000 | 43 |
| 2018 | 10 | 0.12 | 8.2% | 1 | 18V28000018V281000 | 36 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0.01 | 0.8% | 0 | — | 43 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 43 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0.06 | 14.3% | 1 | — | 49 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0.04 | 18.8% | 0 | 22V866000 | 36 |
| 2023 | 9 | — | 33.3% | 0 | — | 25 |
| 2024 | 4 | — | 16.7% | 0 | 25V574000 | 5 |
| 2025 | 11 | — | 26.2% | 1 | 25V574000 | 6 |
- Per 1,000 sold = complaints ÷ published U.S. calendar-year sales × 1,000. Calendar-year sales stand in for the model-year cohort. A dash means no published figure or fewer than 5,000 sold, too small to divide by.
- 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 Charger transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 371 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Dodge Charger years to avoid for the transmission
2012 Dodge Charger
66 transmission complaints (10% of the year's 661). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 16V240000.
2014 Dodge Charger
60 transmission complaints (17.3% of the year's 346). Most often described: slipping or revving without accelerating. Covered by transmission recalls 18E053000, 17V097000, 16V240000.
2013 Dodge Charger
48 transmission complaints (13.1% of the year's 367). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 16V240000, 13V610000.
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 Charger years to avoid.
Dodge Charger transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Dodge Charger model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 25V574000 · 2025-09-04 · 2024–2025 models
An incorrectly installed spring may cause the loss of the park function when the vehicle’s gear selector is placed in the park (P) position, which can result in a vehicle rollaway. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
- 22V866000 · 2022-11-23 · 2022 models
The shifter assembly was not properly heat-treated, which can prevent the shifter from properly engaging in the "drive" position.
- 18E053000 · 2018-07-12 · 2014–2016 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.
- 18V281000 · 2018-05-01 · 2015–2018 models
The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
- 17V097000 · 2017-02-14 · 2014–2017 models
The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
- 16V240000 · 2016-04-25 · 2012–2014 models
The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle…
- 13V610000 · 2013-12-06 · 2013 models
In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
- 08V583000 · 2008-11-06 · 2008–2009 models
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…
- 08V295000 · 2008-07-02 · 2008 models
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 5,509 MY 2008 300, DODGE MAGNUM, AND CHARGER VEHICLES. THE TORQUE RETENTION CRIMP FEATURE WAS MISSED DURING THE MANUFACTURE OF ONE LOT OF REAR AXLE HUB NUTS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE NUTS TO LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE HALFSHAFT TO DISENGAGE…
Which transmission does the Dodge Charger use?
- ZF 8-speed (8HP / TorqueFlite 8) — 2012–2023
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 66 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Dodge Charger, 10% of all 661 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 16V240000. 7 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 60 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Dodge Charger, 17.3% of all 346 complaints for that year. The most common description is "slipping or revving without accelerating" (5 complaints). 3 transmission-related recalls cover it: 18E053000, 17V097000, 16V240000. 9 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Dodge Charger have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 48 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Dodge Charger, 13.1% of all 367 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (9 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 16V240000, 13V610000. 6 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Dodge Charger years have the most transmission complaints?
2012 (66), 2014 (60) and 2013 (48), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so compare the per-1,000-sold column too.
What are the most common Dodge Charger transmission problems?
In the 371 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (12.1%), loss of power or limp mode (6.5%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (4%). 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. Dividing by sales shows how often owners complain relative to how many were sold, which makes models of different sizes comparable.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Dodge Charger 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