2018 Dodge Charger: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2018 Dodge Charger: CAUTION — 122 owner complaints (1.52 per 1,000 sold), 2.5× the Charger median year; top issue: electrical system (45 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.34, where 1.00 is a typical Charger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. Most complaints are about non-critical systems; only 29% are severe (crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
122
NHTSA complaints
1.52
Complaints per 1,000 sold
265
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2018 Dodge Charger problems
Electrical system is the clear leader, named in 37% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2018 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 45 | 37% |
| Unknown or other | 33 | 27% |
| Structure | 19 | 16% |
| Engine | 11 | 9% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 10 | 8% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2018 Dodge Charger recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018, reported between May 1, 2018 and Mar 14, 2024.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 24V198000 | Mar 14, 2024 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator |
| 20V512000 | Aug 27, 2020 | Backup camera / back-over prevention › Sensing system › Camera |
| 18V524000 | Aug 9, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 18V280000 | May 1, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
| 18V281000 | May 1, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Driveline › Driveshaft |
2018 Dodge Charger service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 265 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2018 — close to the 244 of the median Charger year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (87), powertrain / transmission (36), engine & cooling (23). 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 held roughly level (129 → 122). The 2019 that followed held roughly level (122 → 120).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Charger | CAUTION | 129 | 222 | 4 | — |
| 2018 (this page) | CAUTION | 122 | 265 | 6 | — |
| 2019 Charger | CAUTION | 120 | 333 | 5 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Charger years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2018 Dodge Charger
Electrical system (45 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.
Structure (19 complaints on the 2018): look under the car for rust or damage around the subframe and rockers, open every door and the liftgate, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
Engine (11 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.
Powertrain / transmission (10 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.
Service brakes (6 complaints on the 2018): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2018 Dodge Charger — 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.
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FAQ
Is the 2018 Dodge Charger reliable?
2018 Dodge Charger: CAUTION — 122 owner complaints (1.52 per 1,000 sold), 2.5× the Charger median year; top issue: electrical system (45 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2018 is 1.34, where 1.00 is a typical Charger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2018 Dodge Charger problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2018 Dodge Charger are electrical system (45, 37%), unknown or other (33, 27%), structure (19, 16%). The manufacturer has 265 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2018 Dodge Charger have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2018 Dodge Charger, most recently 24V198000 (Mar 14, 2024, air bags); 20V512000 (Aug 27, 2020, backup camera / back-over prevention); 18V524000 (Aug 9, 2018, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2018 Dodge Charger 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 Charger come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2018 calendar-year sales; 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.