RoadVitals

2008 Dodge Charger Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
104
Latest Apr 26, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 609 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Dodge Charger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 104 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 104, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 26, 2025

When I turned my ignition key, it would not turn on the car no power

NHTSA ID
11656954
Incident
Apr 26, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2023

Hesitation when starting car

NHTSA ID
11544525
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine, traction control, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to his residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that he had to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 270,917.

NHTSA ID
11495270
Incident
Nov 28, 2022
Mileage
270,917 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 21, 2022

Need keyfobs reprogramed my car won't start unless I hold down on door lock and lock on keyfob at the same time and to the point where it won't start at all security light keeps coming on before starting. My car shutdown while driving in traffic. It happens a lot. Please recall these parts. I'm afraid of wrecking when breaking down in rush hour traffic? My Name is [XXX] ph number is [XXX] My address is [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11453256
Incident
Feb 21, 2022
ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 15, 2020

MY STEREO, AND FRONT CHARGER PORT SHUTS OFF AND ON. MY ENGINE MAKES A TICKING NOISE AND SADLY A MECHANIC CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE, THE AC IS BLOWING COLD ON DRIVER SIDE AND HOT ON PASSENGER AND BACK SEAT. I BELIEVE MY FRONT TO WHEEL HUBS HAVE TOO MUCH PLAY AND MAKE NOISES I HIT BUMPS. AND REAR BRAKE CALIPER STARTED STICKING

NHTSA ID
11349360
Incident
May 20, 2020
Mileage
15,400 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed May 13, 2020

I REPLACED THE LIFTERS ON THE ENGINE AND IT'S GOT A KNOCKING NOISE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT NOW A RED LIGHTENING BOLT COMES ACROSS THE DASH AND I HAVE SCAN IT FOR CODES BUT NOTHING COMES UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324354
Incident
Apr 12, 2020
Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2019

WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 DODGE CHARGER ON THE FREEWAY, THE RADIATOR FAN SHROUD BROKE INTO PIECES AND PUNCTURED MY RADIATOR. I LOST ALL ENGINE COOLING CAPABILITIES AND NEEDED TO DRIVE HOME TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. UNFORTUNATELY BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SIEZED. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE MOTOR FOR $7,000. ANY HELP FROM THE MANUFACTURE POSSIBLE?

NHTSA ID
11244787
Incident
Aug 10, 2019
Mileage
89,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 16, 2019

2008 DODGE CHARGER IS PRESENTLY IN DELAWARE BANKRUPTCY TRUST FUND. IN NOVEMBER 2018 THE VEHICLE SMELL OF GAS AND OVERHEATED TRAVELING THROUGH THE GATE OF HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, REPORTED TO FIRE MARSHAL IN ATLANTA GEORGIA, NHTSA, DELAWARE BANKRUPTCY COURT & TRUST FUND (MR. PETER KEANE, ATTY.) ECONOMIC LOST OF VEHICLE 2008 DODGE CHARGER. OVER THE PAST 8 MONTHS OBTAIN RENTAL CAR AT HERTZ IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,639.00.

NHTSA ID
11232218
Incident
Nov 27, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH EVIDENCE OF SMOKE THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED THE CAUSE WAS DAMAGE FROM A MELTED RADIATOR THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE AIR CONDITION VENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD WAS RAISED AND THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS POURING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN MELTED AND PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FAN AND THE RADIATOR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. AIRPORT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 5751 EAGLE VAIL DRIVE, ORLANDO, FL 32822, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AT (407) 541-6200 AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000. PIIR=Y. AH

NHTSA ID
11230744
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
157,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 7, 2019

STARTED SHAKING WHILE DRIVING FROM LONGVIEW TO KILGORE TEXAS AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN STOPPED ON A STOP LIGHT ENTERING HENDERSON TEXAS. HAD TO TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART BUT CONTINED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO RETURN HOME BECAUSE IT FELT UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
11218431
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
196,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 28, 2019

TAMARA RECALL P60 IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS GOING UP THE RAMP TO GET ON THE EXPRESS WAY

NHTSA ID
11183071
Incident
Jan 21, 2019
Mileage
124,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE COOLANT FAN PUNCTURED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11179749
Incident
Feb 10, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2018

CAR STARTED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STARTUP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENLY. I SEEN ONLINE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING SIMINAR ISSUES BUT CANT PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. I SEEN FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, IACV, MISFIRING ETC. THE CAR THROWS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS BUT WHEN YOU PLUG THE CAR INTO A OBD 2 SCANNER IT SHOWS THE LONG TERM FUEL TRIM VERY HIGH AT 16.4 IN IDLE.

NHTSA ID
11156409
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Mileage
165,242 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 4, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. ALSO, THE RADIATOR FAN DETACHED AND ENTERED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11133270
Incident
Oct 3, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11122190
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
115,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2018

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE IN CITY LIMITS AT 9:30PM AND OUR CAR SHUTDOWN ON HER SHE FELT A LITTLE PULL AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED. WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON THE CAR SPUTTERS AND TURNS AS IF IT IS GOING TO START BUT NEVER DOES. IT PUT MY WHOLE FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER THE ROAD WHERE THIS HAPPEND IS NOT WELL LIT AND TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY . I TRIED TO PUT A VIDEO BUT IT WON'T LET ME DIE TO NO PROPER FORMAT FOR FILE WHICH IS NO GOOD SINCE MY CAR WON'T START AND I HAVE NO REAL WAY OF SHOWING YOU HOW MY CAR IS REACTING OR ACTING WHEN I TRY TO TURN IT ON

NHTSA ID
11113012
Incident
Jul 21, 2018
Mileage
2 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2018

WE WERE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD GOING 35 MPH WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND STARTED TO LOSE POWER ON VEHICLE, WE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND INSPECTED ENGINE AND A BLADE ON THE RADIATOR FAN BROKE LOOSE AND BECAME LODGED INTO THE RADIATOR. AFTER DOING SEARCH ONLINE IT APPEARS THIS HAS HAPPENED QUITE FREQUENTLY WITH THIS MAKE MODEL YET THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VIN WHICH I FIND UNSATISFACTORY AND WILL BE REACHING OUT TO OUR LOCAL ATTORNEY IF I DO NOT HEARD ABOUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SOON.

NHTSA ID
11111880
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 26, 2018

THE ENGINE SHUT COMPLETELY OFF DURING DRIVING. I LOST POWER STEERING AND AUTOMATIC BRAKING. I TRIED TO RESTART BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR WERE NOT DEAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEAD. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I THEN HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11081215
Incident
Mar 21, 2018
Mileage
123,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 18, 2018

WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THE CAR SHUT OFF LOST POWER STEERING CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND IGNITION WAS STILL ON. TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TOOK SEVERAL TRIES TO RESTART CAR RESTARTED BUT WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH AND CUT OFF 4 TIMES THEREAFTER. DROVE A WEEK LATER AND SAME PROBLEM RIGHT BEFORE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR ANY OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY

NHTSA ID
11080020
Incident
Mar 5, 2018
Mileage
144,850 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 17, 2018

THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP, THE SPARK PLUGS, GOT SOME NEW RELAYS I DID EVERYTHING AND NOT EVEN A DEALER KNOWS WHY IT'S DOING THAT.

NHTSA ID
11079982
Incident
Feb 27, 2018
Mileage
94,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2017

I HAVE A 2008 DODGE CHARGER 5.7 HEMI AND THE VALVE SEAT DROPPED AND CAUSE MY PISTON TO GET CHEWED UP WHICH NOW IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR IT SO I HAD TOO SELL THE CAR

NHTSA ID
11051642
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 28, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. EACH TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED ON, THE ENGINE SHOOK AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TRIANGLE DEALERS DEL OESTE (CARR. 2 AVE, EUGENIO MARIA DE HOSTOS # 301, MAYAGUES, 00680, PR, PHONE: (787) 805-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,175. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11050911
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Mileage
77,175 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2017

THE VALVE SEAT DROPPED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11021281
Incident
Aug 28, 2017
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOOK PROFUSELY. IN ADDITION, COOLANT BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO LEAKING OIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE STAN MCNABD CHRYSLER CHEVROLET DODGE DEALER AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ID
11011654
Incident
Jul 23, 2017
Mileage
171,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 7, 2017
Fire reported

MY RADIATOR FAN BLADE BROKE OFF AND FLEW INTO MY RADIATOR. THE PIECE OF FAN THAT BROKE OFF FLEW INTO MY RADIATOR PUNCTURING A HOLE INTO THE LOWER PART OF THE RADIATOR. A HOLE WAS MADE FROM THE BLADE HITTING IT AND CAUSING ALL THE ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT. THIS IS SECOND TIME IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD BACK-TO-BACK THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. AND THE REPAIRS AND PARTS COSTED ME DEARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MID WAY. AND THE AS THE FAN WAS TURNING THE BROKEN BLADE GOT STUCK AND THE FAN STARTED TO SMOKE ALMOST CATCHING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10993670
Incident
Jun 6, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .