2018 Dodge Challenger: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2018 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 75 owner complaints, 1.1× the Challenger median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (28 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.12, 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). 36% 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
75
NHTSA complaints
1.1×
vs. median Challenger year
253
Service bulletins
4
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2018 Dodge Challenger problems
Electrical system is the clear leader, named in 37% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2018 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 28 | 37% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 37% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 8 | 11% |
| Wheels | 6 | 8% |
| Steering | 6 | 8% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2018 Dodge Challenger recalls
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018, reported between May 1, 2018 and Aug 9, 2018.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 18V524000 | Aug 9, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood |
| 18E053000 | Jul 12, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 18V280000 | May 1, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
2018 Dodge Challenger service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 253 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2018 — close to the 232 of the median Challenger year from 2012 to 2023. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (75), powertrain / transmission (34), structure (31). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2018 vs. the year before and after
From the 2017 to the 2018, owner complaints rose 53% (49 → 75) — a step backward. The 2019 that followed fell 23% (75 → 58), so the 2019 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Challenger | SOLID | 49 | 194 | 3 | — |
| 2018 (this page) | SOLID | 75 | 253 | 4 | — |
| 2019 Challenger | SOLID | 58 | 313 | 3 | — |
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 2018 Dodge Challenger
Electrical system (28 complaints on the 2018): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (8 complaints on the 2018): 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.
Wheels (6 complaints on the 2018): check for bent rims and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Steering (6 complaints on the 2018): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Engine (5 complaints on the 2018): 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.
Recalls: confirm all 4 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2018 Dodge Challenger — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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Found a 2018 Dodge Challenger for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Dodge Challenger reliable?
2018 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 75 owner complaints, 1.1× the Challenger median year by raw count; top issue: electrical system (28 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.12, 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 2018 Dodge Challenger problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2018 Dodge Challenger are electrical system (28, 37%), unknown or other (28, 37%), powertrain / transmission (8, 11%). The manufacturer has 253 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2018 Dodge Challenger have?
4 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018 Dodge Challenger, most recently 18V524000 (Aug 9, 2018, electrical system); 18E053000 (Jul 12, 2018, powertrain / transmission); 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2018 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 2018 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.