2015 Dodge Challenger Powertrain (other) Problems

The vehicle's engine has suffered a catastrophic internal failure at approximately 56,000 miles. The engine is the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The issue began with a loud ticking noise from the engine. I brought the vehicle to Stoneridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pleasanton for diagnosis. At that visit, the dealership lubricated an unspecified component and instructed me to continue driving. The ticking noise temporarily subsided. Shortly after, the check engine light illuminated. I returned the vehicle to the same dealership, where the technician retrieved diagnostic trouble code P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). Upon further inspection, the technician found scoring on the cylinder 3 wall, a persistent loud ticking noise from the engine, and metal contamination in the engine oil sample. The dealership diagnosed the failure as requiring a complete engine long block replacement at a quoted cost exceeding $23,000. The powertrain warranty has expired based on the 3-year time limit; however, the vehicle has fewer than 56,000 miles, which is well below the warranty's mileage threshold and exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. The vehicle has been properly maintained throughout ownership with regular oil changes and scheduled service intervals. No aftermarket modifications have been made; the engine and all related components remain factory stock. I contacted Stellantis customer care to request assistance. They stated that because the vehicle is no longer under warranty, there is nothing they can do, and that the dealership should have submitted a goodwill assistance request on my behalf. The dealership said they would look into it. A complete engine failure at this mileage on an engine marketed as a high-performance powerplant suggests a manufacturing or material defect rather than normal wear and tear.

NHTSA ID

11729728

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

42,000 miles drive shaft failure. Dealer stated drive shaft is ready to fall off. Completely stock vehicle, 1 owner.

NHTSA ID

11729344

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

One day after driving home from work there was a message that says low battery voltage on the instrument panel, then it went away. No other warning lights or problems. Ten more miles down the road the message says battery saver mode, reduced functions and then the car started to smoke, I am freaked out at this point praying to make it home safely. I arrive home and pull into driveway and then turn engine off and let it cool. Lift the hood and coolant has sprayed and spewed all over the engine compartment and is significantly reduced. Now parked, engine off the shift lights are still on and navigation panel and radio won't turn off. I had to unplug the battery completely and manually lock the car. The next day I replace the battery, check coolant, and allow car to warm up. No warning lights or messages. Then I start to drive and less than ten min, battery saver mode again, reduced function and power then engine smoking again, coolant spraying under hood and I have no idea what's wrong. Could it be the alternator, everything is still factory parts. Never happened when I changed the battery in 2022. This is scary.

NHTSA ID

11640391

Incident

Feb 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11568612

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was bouncing. The contact related the failure to a faulty carrier bearing in the driveshaft; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11544792

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

110,000 mi

2015 Dodge Challenger- Consumer is writing in about the drive shaft on the vehicle. After visiting local repair man, consumer was told the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Consumer called Dodge and received "same old answer, we have no parts".

NHTSA ID

11525334

Incident

May 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while driving the vehicle at various speeds, there was a loud noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the driveshaft replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,700.

NHTSA ID

11431972

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

Mileage

49,700 mi

The center support carrier bearing for the driveshaft has failed, causing the driveshaft to drop, rub the heat shield causing a bad noise, the rear end is swaying, and there are mobility issues. I know of other people that have the same problem. You cannot replace the center bearing. You have to purchase the WHOLE driveshaft/driveline, which becomes an even bigger problem when they are on NATIONAL BACKORDER! My challenger has less than 98,000 miles. I have no other vehicle. This is a widespread problem. The whole part costs over $1100.

NHTSA ID

11418831

Incident

May 8, 2021

I PURCHASED A 2015 CHALLENGER, UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME NOTICED THE AXLES MAKING A NOISE. A WEEK LATER THE NOISE BECOMES WORSE I ALERT THE DEALERSHIP AND BRING THE CAR IN. THEY TELL ME THAT IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY PROMISE THAT WHEN I FINALIZE FINANCING THE WILL FIX IT. UPON FINALIZING FINANCING THE CAR FAILS INSPECTION AND THE WARRANTY IS REMOVED DUE TO THE PREEXISTING ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THUS RESULTING REPAIR COST COMING OUT MY POCKET FOR A CAR I HADN'T HAD A WEEK. NEXT I RUN INTO A ISSUE THE WITH ENGINE. I TAKE IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE TECHNICIAN SHOWS ME THE HISTORY OF THE CAR STATING THAT IT HAD A REPLACEMENT ENGINE INSTALLED IN THE PAST. THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED THE REPAIRS TO ME BEFORE FINALIZING THE DEAL ONCE SO EVER. NOW I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT I CAN TRADE IT IN BUT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE DEALERSHIP IS RICK HENDRICKS CHEVROLET IN DULUTH GEORGIA, 3277 SATELLITE BLVD. THE DEALERSHIP GOES UP AND BEYOND TO AVOID ME, EVEN WHILE THE CAR WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR REPAIRS FOR WEEKS. THEY NEVER FIXED ANYTHING IN THE CAR. I HAVE VIDEO PROOF OF THEM MESSING UP THE CAR AND JUST LEAVING IT FOR ME TO DEAL WITH. I ALSO HAVE VOICE RECORDED CONVERSATIONS WITH SALES ASSOCIATE MANAGERS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHO LIED TO ME AND MY FATHER IN OUR FACES ABOUT CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEAL.

NHTSA ID

11394386

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

Mileage

113,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ABOUT THE THE PCM SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND AFTER I FELT AS IF NOTHING WERE DONE TO FIX MY CAR SO I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY AND WHEN I GOT MY CAR BACK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE GUY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT GIVING FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT MY CAR AND TELLS ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION SO EVEN THEN I STILL KNOW NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX MY CAR MY PCM IS GETTING WORSE AND NOW AFFECTING. MY TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT SHIFTING. THE CAR WON'T GO INTO FIRST GEAR AND WHEN GOING INTO 5TH GEAR IT KICKS AND WHIPLASHES ME.

NHTSA ID

11349312

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

161,000 mi

CARRIER BEARING/DRIVESHAFT NEEDS REPLACEMENT AFTER 49000 MILES. KNOCKING VIBRATING NOISE COMING FROM DRIVESHAFT WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11343769

Incident

Jul 15, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO KEY AUTO MALL (3700 16TH ST, MOLINE, IL 61265) WHERE THEY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE PRESSURE PLATE INSIDE OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DEALER AND HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11337933

Incident

Jun 6, 2020

Mileage

26,000 mi

VERY HARD SHIFT FROM 4TH GEAR TO 5TH AND ALSO WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE FROM PARK IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE GEAR TO KICK IN. BECAUSE OF THIS MY CAR IS RUNNING AT A HIGH COOLANT TEMP. I WILL BE DRIVING NORMALLY AND WHEN 4TH GEAR SWITCHES TO 5TH GEAR THE CAR REVS UP AND KICKS FORWARD I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IT IS UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID

11331474

Incident

Jun 29, 2020

Mileage

158,560 mi

THE RIGHT SHIFTER PADDLE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY DOWNSHIFT SEVERAL GEARS INSTEAD OF UPSHIFTING WHEN THE PADDLE IS PRESSED. THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO DOWNSHIFT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE RIGHT PADDLE SHIFTER IS HELD DOWN TO CHANGE OVER TO THE AUTOMATIC DRIVE SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE I STARTED USING THE PADDLE SHIFTERS AROUND 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFTING CONSISTENTLY SLAMS THE VEHICLE TO ALMOST A STOP, ABRUPTLY FORCING ANY OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE INTO THE SEATBELTS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OCCASIONS WHERE VEHICLES HAVE ALMOST HIT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR SHIFTS DOWN SEVERAL GEARS AT ONCE AND SLOWS SUDDENLY WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO SLID IN WET CONDITIONS WHEN IT HAS OCCURRED. DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE THE PADDLE SHIFTERS AT HIGH SPEED IN FEAR OF MY OWN SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. IF THE VEHICLE WAS TO DOWNSHIFT SEVERAL GEARS AT SPEED IN WET CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LIKELY SLIDE OUT OF CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, THE HARD SHIFTING IS LIKELY CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION, DRIVE COMPONENTS AND TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE 8 TIMES WITH NO PERMANENT FIX. THERE ARE MANY ARTICLES AND FORUM REPORTS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH DODGE CHALLENGER VEHICLES, BUT DODGE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORUMS AND CLAIMS THEY ONLY ADDRESS ISSUES SEPARATELY WITH EACH CUSTOMER. THIS ISSUE HAS LEFT ME WITHOUT MY VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AT A TIME AND IS A CONSTANT SAFETY HAZARD IF THE PADDLE SHIFTERS ARE OPERATED. THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS SINCE DOWNSHIFTING 2-3 GEARS AT ONCE CAN BE THE SAME AS SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, ESPECIALLY IN WET CONDITIONS. HERE IS AN ARTICLE THAT PERTAINS TO THIS ISSUE: HTTPS://WWW.HOTCARS.COM/CHARGER-CHALLENGER-DEFECT-PADDLE-SHIFTERS/ THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID

11266443

Incident

Aug 23, 2019

Mileage

20,000 mi

MY CARS TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLICKERS UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING . I TOOK IT IN ONCE FOR REPAIR BUT IT STILL CONTINUES DOING THIS . THE CAR DOES THIS WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS ON WHETHER IT'S RUNNING OR STATIONARY . ALSO THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT HAS ELECTRIC PROBLEMS . IT TURNS OFF AND ON WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. BUT IT STAYS OFF MORE THAN IT STAYS ON .

NHTSA ID

11220710

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

DRIVING HOME IN RAIN AND GOT OFF HIGHWAY SERVICE RAMP. AS SOON AS I TURNED RIGHT THE CAR DIED. IT SAID MY KEY FOB BATTERY WAS LOW AND WOULD NOT RESTART. MY SON BROUGHT UP MY OTHER KEY FOB AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER CAME ON STATING ANYTHING WAS WRONG. COULD NOT GET CAR IN NEUTRAL EVEN AFTER RELEASING THE SHIFT INNER LOCK. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY HOUSE.

NHTSA ID

11218217

Incident

Jun 5, 2019

Mileage

44,000 mi

REAR END HAS GONE OUT TWICE AND AGAIN IS HOWLING. WHEN USING PADDLE SHIFTERS THE RIGHT SIDE IS TO UPSHIFT, IT OFTEN DOWNSHIFTS INSTEAD. DODGE HAS CHANGED OUT PADDLE SHIFTERS 3 SEPERATE OCCASIONS BUT ISSUE CONTINUES. ITS AN ABRUPT DOWNSHIFT WHILE IN MOTION TRYING TO UPSHIFT. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE THAT HAPPENS OFTEN

NHTSA ID

11195407

Incident

Apr 3, 2019

Mileage

8,000 mi

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MILES, MY WIFE PULLED INTO A SHOPPING CENTER FROM THE RIGHT LANE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO JUST SHUT OFF. THE DASH DISPLAY INFORMED HER TO PUT THE SHIFT LEVER INTO PARK AND THEN SELECT THE DISIRE GEAR. LUCKLY THERE WERE NO CARS DIRECTLY BEHIND HER WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. SHEI SELECTED 'PARK' AND THEN 'DRIVE' WHICH SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AFTER THIS UNWARRENTED AND SCARRY INSIDENT. THE CAR HAS 13816 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER WARENTY. SHE HAS MADE A DEALER APPOINTMENT, BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH EVENTS MAKING IT UNCLEAR IF THE DEALER WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE SUCH INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11140405

Incident

Oct 8, 2018

Mileage

13,816 mi

I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK ON A BUSY, 3-LANE ROAD. I WAS IN THE FAR-RIGHT LANE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, WAITING TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF AND THE DISPLAY INFORMED ME TO PUT MY CAR IN P (PARK) AND THEN BACK INTO THE DESIRED GEAR. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND THEN STARTED IT BACK UP AGAIN. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THERE SEEMED TO BE NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION FOR ME AND I WAS THANKFUL TO BE IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE WHEN IT HAPPENED, THANKFUL I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND THANKFUL NOBODY WAS INJURED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT DODGE NEEDS TO ADDRESS AND GET FIXED. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE PLACED FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE ON THE ROADS.

NHTSA ID

11118455

Incident

Aug 8, 2018

Mileage

48,697 mi

ISSUE #1 VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER WHILE STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WITH NO INDICATION OR WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE WAITING TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION. THE CAR TURNS OFF COMPLETELY AND SAYS TO PLACE CAR IN PARK. ISSUE #2 THIS ISSUE ALWAYS OCCURS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STATIONARY STATE; VEHICLE JUMPS WITH LITTLE PRESSURE ON GAS, THEN POWER DIPS DOWN, THEN BACK UP OVER AND OVER. THE CAR RESEMBLES A BUCKING RODEO HORSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT A POWER DIP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION INHIBITS THE CARS ABILITY TO CLEAR AN INTERSECTION SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11075987

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

20,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL INTERNALLY EXPLODED , LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE LUCKILY I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. IT'S BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A WEEK AND I CAN'T GET A HOLD OF ANYONE. GOING 60MPH AND A LOUD BANG. GOT PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER CAR. DIFFERENTIAL PUMP HOUSING WAS SPLIT IN TWO WITH NO SIGNS OF ANY EXTERNAL DAMAGE. STILL AT THE DEALER. ...UPDATED 06/13/17 *BF ...UPDATED 08/29/17 *BF ....UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/03/2017*JS *CN *JS

NHTSA ID

10993808

Incident

Jun 4, 2017

CAR MAKES CLUNK NOISE WHEN THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC GEARS DOWN OR UP. I TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG. I'M AFRAID THAT WARRANTY WILL RUN OUT BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE BY FIAT.CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ID

10947656

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

31,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR DOES NOT GO AT ALL. IT'S LIKE IT'S THE GEAR IS STUCK. ALSO WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR RPM IS ACCELERATING BY ITSELF.THE CAR HAS JUMPED FROM THE 1ST GEAR TO 4TH GEAR WITHOUT LITTLE ACCELERATION.CAR HAS BEEN TAKING NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALERSHIP SINCE PURCHASED IT IN 2-2015 THE ONLY THING THE DEALERSHIP WILL DO IT RELEARN ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WORKS FINE FOR MONTH AND THEN I'M BACK AGAIN. ALSO MY RADIO IN THE CAR HAS WENT OUT AND BEEN REPLACED ONCE. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT THE RADIO STILL GOES BLACK AT TIMES AND THE AC WON'T WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS JUST MADE SURE THE RADIO WAS UPDATE TO THE LATEST VERSION AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS. THE DOOR HANDLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10850514

Incident

Jun 26, 2015

Mileage

3,000 mi

THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL ACCELERATION WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE D ON THE GEARSHIFT FLASHES RED AND DIGITAL READOUT ON THE DASHBOARD INSTRUCTS DRIVER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN SHIFT TO DRIVE. THIS MEANS THAT WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR AN INTERSECTION YOU MUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN SHIFT TO DRIVE. I HAVE PROVIDED DODGE WITH TWO VIDEOS OF THIS HAPPENING AND THEY STILL CANNOT FIX THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10838680

Incident

Jun 4, 2015

Mileage

300 mi

THE TRANSMISSION HAS VERY HARSH DOWNSHIFTS WHEN LIGHTLY BRAKING OR COASTING TO A STOP. THE TRANSMISSION STAYS ENGAGED AND BOGS DOWN THE CAR, THEN FREES UP SUDDENLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLUNK FROM THE REAR END WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT'S ALMOST LED TO FENDER BENDERS WITH THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ID

10785736

Incident

Oct 12, 2015

Mileage

100 mi