RoadVitals

2010 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.
64
Latest Mar 24, 2026
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.
28%
of 232 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.
3
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 2010 Dodge Charger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 64 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 64, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 24, 2026

While I am driving the vehicle it shuts off and the key seems to be loose. It has shut off multiple times while operating driving down the highway making it unsafe to get to the side of the road

NHTSA ID
11726589
Incident
Jan 9, 2026
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2025

Lifter taping

NHTSA ID
11639822
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2024

The engine seizes up if you look at 2010 dodge chargers almost every one that has a problem is the engine seized up on them.

NHTSA ID
11596210
Incident
Mar 6, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 24, 2023

Got rear ended day later hears a winding noise and engine light came on then Battery light came on. When driving next day all lights on dash board came on and car died. Thought was battery changed it then restarted car. Next day bring to get diagnosed and said altnator was testing bad so had that replaced but Battery light stayed on. Took to collision center dodge and they said pcm was bad so had that replaced. The mechanic stated common problem when altnator dies it burns up the pm module. So I had to wait 2 months for it to get replaced and now changed still the check engine lights and battery light is on.

NHTSA ID
11509016
Incident
Nov 18, 2022
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 1, 2022
Fire reported

Drove on hwy no problem made it into town Smelled gas & seen smoke coming from hood briefly(tank was half full )Turned car off got out seen smoke from under the hood, opened the hood as best as i could and seen flames coming from under the hood.CALL fire Dept. dash have no warnings of anything only the smell and being observant saves my life

NHTSA ID
11495615
Incident
Nov 28, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 31, 2022

No-start after 10 yrs of driving service the engine light comes on from No-start.

NHTSA ID
11482309
Incident
Aug 31, 2022
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the timing chain fractured. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that the parts to perform the repair was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ID
11426009
Incident
Jul 17, 2021
Mileage
113,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed May 11, 2021

THERE'S A OPEN RECALL FOR MY 2010 DODGE CHARGER R/T & I TOOK IT TO CUETER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM. THEY HAD IT FOR 8 DAYS & HAD NOT TOUCHED THE CAR SINCE I DROPPED IT OFF. THEY SAID THEY WERE WAITING ON PARTS NOW IT'S BEEN 16 DAYS & HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY WORD BACK. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. THE RECALLS ARE FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG & THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN WHICH IS VERY SERIOUS IN MY OPINION BUT MUST NOT BE TO THEM.

NHTSA ID
11416112
Incident
Apr 25, 2021
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2020

WHAT IS HE NOTICED THAT THE CAR IS A 2010 CHARGER AND I REGULARLY GET MY OIL CHANGED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND I START HEARING SOME TAPPING UP UNDER THE HOOD I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS SO I THOUGHT THAT THE CAR WAS ABOUT TO THROW A ROD AND THAT MY ENGINE WAS GOING TO LOCK UP ON ME DID I HEARD THAT THIS TEAM CALLED THE HEMI TICK YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT ONLINE ON YOUTUBE

NHTSA ID
11378615
Incident
Oct 4, 2020
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Dec 9, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME, THE CAR SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I PRESSED THE GAS REPEATEDLY AND NOTHING HAPPENED. CARS BEHIND ME WERE BLOWING BUT THERE WASN'T MUCH I COULD DO. THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN ANYWAY SO I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THEY WORKED SO I STRUGGLED LIKE CRAZY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO A CHURCH DRIVEWAY. THANK GOD THE BRAKES WORKED OR IT COULD'VE BEEN UGLY. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT ACT LIKE IT WANTED TO START. IT WASN'T A CLICKING IT WAS MORE LIKE A WINDING NOISE LIKE A RUUU RUUU RUUU. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND IT MADE THE SAME NOISE BUT IT SOUNDED WORSE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOME BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A REPAIR SHOP OPENED THAT LATE. I'M GOING TO CALL A MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME. IT HAPPENED TWO IN APRIL AND THREE TIMES IN MAY OF THIS YEAR BUT IT STARTED BACK UP. I WASN'T SO LUCKY THIS TIME. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY AND I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE DOING THAT. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND IT WAS PLACED ON A MACHINE AND NO CODES WOULD SHOW UP BUT THE GUY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY, AND I DID. DODGE REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP. THIS [XXX] IS RIDICULOUS. IT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON THE HIGHWAY. HOPEFULLY THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN WITH AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OR SOMEONE IN A REALLY HIGH TRAFFIC AREA BECAUSE SOMEONE COULD GET INJURED OR KILLED. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE WAITING ON TO FIX THE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11287824
Incident
Dec 7, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HILLTOP CHRYSLER DODGE (3291 AUTOPLAZA DR, RICHMOND, CA 94806) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE CONTACT HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROCKET ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ID
11280754
Incident
Nov 6, 2019
Mileage
185,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 7, 2019

ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. CARRIED TO CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP, ENGINE LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11278600
Incident
Oct 25, 2019
Mileage
127,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO GAVE THE VEHICLE A TUNE-UP, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ONLY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE WAS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V352000 (AIR BAGS) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
11271494
Incident
Oct 14, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11208225
Incident
May 13, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSteering
Filed Apr 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE THROTTLE BODY AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOW DOWN FROM 60 TO 40 MPH. GRAINGER HONDA (1596 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31408, (888) 229-4632) DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
11203360
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
92,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE STARTER, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THOMAS DODGE (9604 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11193409
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Jan 28, 2019

TOWED MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON 1/24/2019 DUE TO LIFESAVING RECALLS AND WAS REFUSED THE LIFESAVING REPAIRS BASED OFF MY VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY NOT BEING ABLE TO START WHICH IS A LIE BECAUSE THE TOWING SERVICE JUMP STARTED THE BATTERY AT MY PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND DROVE THE CAR ONTO THE TOWING BED.HENCE MY VEHICLE STILL POSING A THREAT ON LIFE AND CLIENT SAFETY AS A WHOLE. WHICH WILL NOT BE ERADICATED UNTIL I FIX THE CAR WHICH IN THAT TIME THE AIRBAGS COULD EXPLODE AND KILL MYSELF AND OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE.

NHTSA ID
11172454
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 6, 2019

ALTENATOR MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WITHIN 2 TO 3 MINUTES THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON THEN THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE BURNING SMELL.

NHTSA ID
11165450
Incident
Jan 5, 2019
Mileage
91,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2018

TAKATA RECALL I OWN A 2010 DODGE CHARGER 2.7 INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON FLASHING .. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC HE RAN DIAGNOSTIC TEST CYLINDER 2 COMES BACK AT 35PSI HE SAY HE RESEARCHED THIS MOTOR AN CHRYSLER HAD RECALLS ON THAT MOTOR FOR THAT REASON ..I JUST PAID HER OFF HAVE FULL COVERAGE ..WIT 180K MILES ON HER ON FIXED INCOME .. IVE BEEN LOOKING AN PRICING HEADS FOR HER ..NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM..FIRST INTAL START CAR SHAKES BADLY ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES .. TURN CAR OFF THEM RESTART HER AGAIN DOES THIS 3XS THEN FINALLY SHE WILL RUN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ..SMELL OF GAS WHEN SHE'S FIRED UP.. MISFIRE CONSTANTLY ON CYLINDER 2 CHANGED PLUGS NEW COIL BOOTS I KEEP UP WIT TUNEUPS ..

NHTSA ID
11143952
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Mileage
179,867 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Jul 9, 2018
Fire reported

MY 2010 DODGE CHARGER CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. I WAS SITTING IN IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, WAITING FOR MY SON. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, BUT NOT LIKE PLASTIC OR THE SMELL WHEN IT'S OVERHEATING. I LOOKED AT MY DASH AND THE THERMOSTAT NEEDLE WAS STRAIGHT UP THEN I SAW A LITTLE PUFF OF SMOKE OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE. I POPPED THE HOOD AND FLAMES SHOT ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I OPENED THE DOOR AND ROLLED OUT BECAUSE MY SEAT WAS RECLINED. I COULD SEE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, I REACHED BACK IN AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THINKING MAYBE IT WOULD HELP. I GRABBED MY PHONE WHICH WAS STUCK TO THE DASH WITH A MAGNET AND I RAN LIKE HELL!

NHTSA ID
11110294
Incident
Jul 2, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 30, 2018

WIFE WAS DRIVING CHARGER WHEN THE GAUGES, RADIO, AC WENT HAY WIRE AND A FEW SECONDS LATER THE CAR JUST DIED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT START BACK. HAD CAR WAS TOWED AND VERY COSTLY AS SHE WAS FAR FROM HOME. FROM WHAT I COULD FIND ONLINE IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR, REMOVED BOTH AND HAD THEM TESTED AND BOTH ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. CHARGED BATTERY UP AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP SO WE TEST FROM IT. WHILE DRIVING IT ONLY A FEW MILES WE NOTICED THAT THERE IS A STRANGE NEW WHINING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THERE HOOD, ESP/ TRATION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR DIED AGAIN CHARGED BATTERY AGAIN AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AGAIN HOWEVER WE ARE RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. SOUNDS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE IN ONLINE FORUMS ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT YET NO RECALLS OR FIX'S FOR WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS

NHTSA ID
11104909
Incident
Jun 30, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS POSSIBLY DUE TO A CRACKED BLOCK OR ENGINE HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TT

NHTSA ID
11101385
Incident
Jun 9, 2018
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 19, 2018

THE CAR PROCEEDS TO SHAKE AND MAKE NOISE

NHTSA ID
11096832
Incident
May 13, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2018

THERE NEEDS BE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 DODGE CHARGER SXT. WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE, JUST AS I'M MERGING ON TO MY EXIT, THE CAR SHUTS COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE IN MOTION DURING TRAFFIC. I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT HAD COMPLETELY STALLED UNTIL I TRIED TO GIVE IT GAS AND TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AS I WAS GOING INTO TO A CURVE WITH CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND BEHIND. HAD TO FIGHT LIKE [XXX] TO TURN THE WHEEL AND USE THE BRAKES TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TRIED TO START THE ENGINE WITH NO SUCCESS. IT KEPT TURNING OVER MAKING A "RU RUR RUR RUR RUR" SOUND WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SMELL OF WIRES BURNING AND A RED LIGHTNING BOLT THAT APPEARED ON THE DASH. TRIED TO START AGAIN, IT BECAME WORSE. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET. CALLED DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT, THEY RELUCTANTLY DECLINED TO DO SO IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK IT SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. DODGE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP. THIS [XXX] IS GOING TO GET SOMEBODY KILLED IF A RECALL IS NOT ISSUED. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11064354
Incident
Jan 20, 2018
Mileage
95,837 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CRANK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO CENTER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.

NHTSA ID
11056603
Incident
Dec 24, 2017
Mileage
164,000 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 .