AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2009 Dodge Challenger
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 18V021000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 132 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Dodge Challenger, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 46 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2011 | 2 | 26 |
| Sep 2011 | 2 | 28 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2012 | 2 | 31 |
| Feb 2012 | 2 | 33 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 34 |
| Jun 2012 | 2 | 36 |
| Jul 2012 | 3 | 39 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 40 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 41 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 42 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 43 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 44 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 46 |
| Jun 2014 | 3 | 49 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 50 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 51 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 52 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 53 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 54 |
| Apr 2015 | 1 | 55 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 56 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 57 |
| Sep 2015 | 7 | 64 |
| Oct 2015 | 6 | 70 |
| Nov 2015 | 6 | 76 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 77 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 78 |
| Feb 2016 | 4 | 82 |
| Mar 2016 | 2 | 84 |
| Apr 2016 | 4 | 88 |
| Jun 2016 | 3 | 91 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 92 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 93 |
| Sep 2016 | 2 | 95 |
| Oct 2016 | 2 | 97 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 98 |
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 100 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 102 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 103 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 105 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 106 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 108 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 109 |
| Aug 2018 | 2 | 111 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 112 |
| Dec 2018 | 2 | 114 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 115 |
| Nov 2019 | 2 | 117 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 118 |
| Feb 2020 | 2 | 120 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 121 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 122 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 124 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 125 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 126 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 127 |
| Nov 2022 | 2 | 129 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 131 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 132 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags4124.7%
- Engine3923.5%
- Powertrain (other)2213.3%
- Electrical2112.7%
- Driver assistance95.4%
- Steering84.8%
- Brakes74.2%
- Fuel system63.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
7 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEQUIPMENT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I am currently waiting for a new Instrument Cluster, which is the cause of all of my problems, and which is why I failed the emissions test.
- NHTSA ID
- 11534338
- Incident
- Jul 14, 2020
On several occasions while driving the vehicle would would appear to lose power and the front wheels would shake. After turning off the engine and restarting the car the problem resolved itself. It was taken to the dealership and they said they could not replicate the problem. Two days ago it did the same thing along with the passenger side front wheel heating and smoking. It was towed to the dealership again. The technician called to say that when he got into the car the brake pedal went to the floor and wanted to know if happened the day before. He was advised the pedal was fine and the brakes were stopping the vehicle. He said the brakes were worn down and the entire brake system needed replacement. There was no issue reported with the brakes on the previous inspection at the dealership in December 2022.
- NHTSA ID
- 11515829
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2023
THREE TIMES NOW THE THROTTLE HAS GONE TO WIDE OPEN AND STICKS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. SCARES THE LIVING CRAP OUT OF YOU.
- NHTSA ID
- 11514983
- Incident
- Mar 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the "check air bag" warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local parts store where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side and passenger’s side air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 18V021000 (Air Bags) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V444000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11493840
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2022
- Mileage
- 104,000 mi
During an auto accident the ram emblem on my steering wheel shot off of the steering wheel when the air bags deployed and becoming a projectile and hitting me in the neck leaving a deep bruise and abrasions to the area the ram emblem hit. Its been nearly 3 weeks and the bruising is still present and the skin is still red from the injury. Attached and you can even see the ram horns in in neck. This photo taken later that day. If this can happen in my with my accident I was just lucky it didn't hit my eye or worse. The contact stated that they now have a permanent scar on their neck from the steering wheel projectile. They have not contacted the manufacturer and the vehicle is no longer in their possession.
- NHTSA ID
- 11492698
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2022
Recall issues and manufacturers dont want to fix it.
- NHTSA ID
- 11444274
- Incident
- Mar 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact heard abnormal sounds coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the subframe bolt had snapped off. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11439068
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2021
- Mileage
- 44,000 mi
Faulty TCM After purchasing my car it would hard shift in the 3rd and 4th gear And I realize that shortly after purchasing it chant and then one night I was on the freeway and between 2 semi trucks when it's just neutral and then tried shifting into 2nd gear Which almost caused me to wreck in between 2 semi trucks which was not cool and Now my car only shifts into 1st and 2nd gear and when it gets to 3rd it neutrals , It won't go into 3rd or 4th gear . I took it into the dealership to get new software Uploaded on my TCM they said it was fine so I drove it out the parking lot and still doing the sa.e thing won't shift into 3rd gear so I took it to another shop to have it looked at because I didn't want to risk my life driving the car. I'm not gonna take it back to a place that just gotten to tell me that everything was fine when it's clearly not so we put it on a lift inspected it and it shifts from 1st all the way up to 4th no problem and then soon as you put it on the ground and start driving it ,it does the same thing neutrals when it gets the 3rd . Then after looking further into the car the mechanic noticed how small the groundwire was compared to the power wthe power wire and it wasn't getting enough voltage So I'm thinking that also could be a major issue Later on down the road And that might even be the cause of the TCM going bad . It's just crazy to me a car would be OKAY to be sold with the problems it has And there's a lot of people online with the same kinda of problems as mine All I have to say is I'm lucky that I'm alive due to These problems.
- NHTSA ID
- 11428928
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2021
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins are present in the engine block, which align the transmission center line to the crank shaft centerline and visually inspect the dowel alignment holes in the transmission case. If the holes are damaged or elongated the transmission should be replaced to prevent further damage to the transmission/flexplate or pump bushing due to the inability to properly align the engine to the transmission during the repair. 3. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If pump bushing is scored or damaged and the dowel pin alignment holes are ok, replace the pump assembly as opposed to complete transmission. 4. All 62TE equipped vehicles. If vehicle is jerking/slipping with MIL code(s) P0740 or P2764, check TCC Solenoid operation. If TCC Solenoid is ok, the codes are indicative of a torque converter failure. Replace the torque converter.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 2 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 59.4 |
| 2020 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 53.5 |
| 2019 | 58 | 3 | 1 | 59.2 |
| 2018 | 74 | 4 | 1 | 61.8 |
| 2017 | 49 | 3 | 1 | 60.3 |
| 2016 | 78 | 2 | 1 | 57.8 |
| 2015 | 126 | 6 | 2 | 64.2 |
| 2014 | 146 | 5 | 1 | 60.8 |
| 2013 | 179 | 5 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2012 | 253 | 6 | 1 | 57.0 |
| 2011 | 193 | 6 | 1 | 57.4 |
| 2010 | 298 | 7 | 1 | 53.5 |
| 2009Viewing | 132 | 7 | 1 | 56.2 |
| 2008 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1971 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.