2017 Dodge Challenger: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2017 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 49 owner complaints, a typical complaint rate for ~9 years on the road; top issue: electrical system (16 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2017 is 0.82, where 1.00 is a typical Challenger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). 45% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2012–2023 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
49
NHTSA complaints
0.82
Verdict score (1.00 = typical Challenger year)
194
Service bulletins
3
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2017 Dodge Challenger problems
Electrical system is the clear leader, named in 33% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2017 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 16 | 33% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 33% |
| Suspension | 6 | 12% |
| Steering | 5 | 10% |
| Engine | 5 | 10% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2017 Dodge Challenger recalls
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017, reported between Jul 7, 2017 and May 17, 2018.
2017 Dodge Challenger service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 194 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2017 — close to the 232 of the median Challenger year from 2012 to 2023. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (54), powertrain / transmission (41), engine & cooling (35). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2017 vs. the year before and after
From the 2016 to the 2017, owner complaints fell 37% (78 → 49) — an improvement. The 2018 that followed rose 53% (49 → 75), so the 2017 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Challenger | SOLID | 78 | 278 | 2 | — |
| 2017 (this page) | SOLID | 49 | 194 | 3 | — |
| 2018 Challenger | SOLID | 75 | 253 | 4 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Challenger years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2017 Dodge Challenger
Electrical system (16 complaints on the 2017): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Suspension (6 complaints on the 2017): listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and check for uneven tire wear.
Steering (5 complaints on the 2017): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Engine (5 complaints on the 2017): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (5 complaints on the 2017): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Recalls: confirm all 3 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby Challenger years with a better rating: 2020.
Know what to pay for the right 2017 Dodge Challenger — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2017 Dodge Challenger reliable?
2017 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 49 owner complaints, a typical complaint rate for ~9 years on the road; top issue: electrical system (16 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2017 is 0.82, where 1.00 is a typical Challenger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2017 Dodge Challenger problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2017 Dodge Challenger are electrical system (16, 33%), unknown or other (16, 33%), suspension (6, 12%). The manufacturer has 194 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2017 Dodge Challenger have?
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017 Dodge Challenger, most recently 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system); 17V496000 (Aug 8, 2017, engine & cooling); 17V431000 (Jul 7, 2017, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2017 Dodge Challenger before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2017 Dodge Challenger come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.