10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,874 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Dodge Challenger electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Dodge Challenger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2018 Dodge Challenger Owner Comments

problem #19

Jul 012022

Challenger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical system is going completely haywire. The display screen beeps as if being touched constantly causing driver distractions. Bluetooth hands free function makes random phone calls, hangs up and redials repeatedly causing driver distractions. The display also flashes from one setting to another, pulling up the navigation system and changing the route repeatedly causing driver distractions. Blindspot indicator does not work consistently which has caused at least one close call on the highway and could potentially lead to an accident. Turn signals will turn on but won't turn off unless driver works with them for several minutes which distracts the driver from the road. The tire pressure monitoring system is not accurate and indicates low tire pressure but tires are fine when checked which may cause the driver to become lesafaire about the tire pressure and miss an actual low tire and cause an accident.

- West Point, MS, USA

problem #18

Aug 022022

Challenger

  • miles
The vehicle was parked in driveway sat for 10minutes then the headlights started flashing on and off when we got near the car they stopped we move the away lights would go again. So we opened doors to find the front passenger floorboard and edge of front passenger seat begin to burn. At this point we have not been told a cause of the fire. I surance and chrysler corporate are looking into

- Evansville , IN, USA

problem #17

Apr 262022

Challenger

  • miles
UConnect 8.4 system screen delaminating. Essentially, out of nowhere, a large bubble appeared on my 2018 Challenger Scat Pack's center UConnect Screen. This is the third Challenger I've owned, and unfortunately for me, the only one I kept outside of the factory warranty timeframe. I have 28,000 miles on the car, and it is in fantastic condition, aside from this issue. First, I contacted the dealer, and they stated that even though my miles were under the limit - due to the timeframe they could not help me. They suggested I contact Dodge Customer Support, where they advised me that it was a known issue (search google or any forum with Uconnect screen delamination) but their hands were tied as well. They recommended that I post on this website, as many were experiencing this issue and a recall was imminent. Lastly, I contacted UConnect themselves, who said the same thing. A known issue, recall pending, just need it to officially get approved before they can help. As so many are experiencing this, I hope that this issue can be resolved so I can continue to be a LOYAL Dodge customer. It is WELL known from the dealer, to customer support, to the actual manufacturer. Just looking for some help so I don't have to eat the full cost of replacement for something that is obviously (and stated by the company themselves) a production error. They claimed that they have since fixed the issue. The bubble continues to grow every day, and I'm concerned that soon I will be without the essential controls - like HVAC, safety (rear camera), driver modes, radio, maps, etc. They are all dependent on this single unit to function. I also purchased the extended warranty on my vehicle through Ally (Dodge's financing company) and they are unable to assist as it is a "pending" recall, and is not completely broken yet. Not the answer I was expecting when I hear "everything from electrical to engine, to transmission will be covered". Just want them to acknowledge the recall, fixing issue for us.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 062022

Challenger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On April 6, 2022 at approximately 2300 I was driving 65 mph on an old two lane highway when all lighting on the instrument cluster, steering wheel, touchscreen, kick panels, and both headlights went out causing me to drive off the road momentarily as I was in a curve. For several moments all of these components would light up and off erratically. During this event, my windows also began rolling up and down on their own. I immediately turned on my hazard lights and began to slow down to look for a place to pull over. This was a long and empty stretch of old highway and there was no shoulder to pull onto. At this point my hazard lights became faulty as well and would not flash at times. The safety of myself and others were at risk because during this event that lasted approximately five minutes, all aforementioned components would fault for moments at a time and there were times that I could not see the roadway or obstacles in front of me, I could not see my speed, I could not reliably use my hazard lights to warn other drivers. Other drivers would have had a near impossible time seeing me, such as the semi truck driver who almost hit me then flashed his brights and laid on his air horn when my lights had cut off. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure and none after either.

- Searcy, AR, USA

problem #15

Apr 012022

Challenger

  • miles
Incident matches: NHTSA 19V-203 for 2019 models, however this happened on a 2018. While vehicle was in motion, gauge cluster went completely black, windows cracked open as if doors had been opened. Was still able to operate the accelerator & brake; however, could not use indicators. Screens stayed black for 10 seconds, then returned to normal. Happened 3 times in one day

- New City, NY, USA

problem #14

Jul 152020

Challenger

  • miles
The car is a 5.7 6 speed Dodge Challenger, when driving the car will not idle down when you take your foot off the gas pedal, this happens during shifts where the idle stays up and keeps the car moving forward, it also will not slow down when you are driving at speed and you lift your foot off the gas pedal, the idle will hang at speed for up to 5 blocks unless the brakes are applied, 3 times I have almost been in an accident because of this. The problem has been confirmed by the Dodge dealer and a number of parts replaces with no resolve, the car was in their shop for 9 weeks before they gave it back, it started doing it again within days, they have had the car for 15 week now and counting, (total to date 24 weeks) The car only has 8000 miles on it, I bought it brand new and have not been able to drive the car due to it being unsafe. There are no warning lamps or messages and from what im told only the dealer level has inspected the car.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #13

Sep 232021

Challenger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The uConnect 8.4 Display in my car has begun to delaminate. There is a large air pocket under the top portion of my display. This morning while waiting for the car to warm up so the heat would function on the climate control system, I used the display to set the defrost to on. After removing the initial frost from my windshield and I was able to see clearly, I left the house and headed to work. While on my way to work I begun to hear confirmation beeps from my display, as if I was touching the onscreen controls. The touchscreen display began to change settings on its own. Changing my climate controls from High heat to low Cold resulting in my windshield immediately frosting up and reducing my visibility to nothing, during morning traffic. I nearly impacted another vehicle that was turning while distracted by the display and the lack of visibility it caused. I rolled down the windows and found a safe place to pull over to wipe the frost from my windshield. The entire time the display was switching thru pages and begun to call contacts from my phone change songs, and even the performance level settings. I had taken the vehicle to the dealership far prior to my warranty expiring when I initially noticed the bubble at the top of my screen, only to be told that since it was a cosmetic defect and the operation was normal that the warranty would not cover the replacement. and a replacement was $2,200. Now my vehicle warranty is expired and it has changed from a cosmetic defect to a defect that has affected the safe operation and nearly caused me to rear end another vehicle at 55 MPH. From the research I have gathered during my lunch break the display in these units operates too hot and the glue bonding the touch panel to the display itself has melted and caused the separation. It seems to be a common issue that affects any vehicle with a 8.4 uConnect display, judging by complaints on the forums. This is not only a distraction but a Major safety hazard.

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #12

Jun 052021

Challenger

  • miles
On June 5, 2021 vehicle stalled at stoplight on ramp after exiting highway. Car had power but would not start, gears could not change to put in neutral to move vehicle. No warning lights, so symptoms to show a problem may exist. Car would not move and sat in traffic for over an hour waiting on tow truck. Battery checked and verified in good condition. No trouble codes. Research shows that this exact issue for this exact model car known under recall 18V524000, but this specific VIN does no show an active recall.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #11

Mar 052021

Challenger

  • miles
My screen doesnt come on often and you cant change the ac or radio. It get stuck.

- Port Arthur, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 022020

Challenger

  • 40,000 miles
Unconnect system constantly shuts off during normal operation which causes issues with navigation. There is also a short of some type with the electrical system which causes glitches in the speedometer/main display system - it flickers and then resumes to normal on occasion during normal operations.

- Brandon, MS, USA

problem #9

Oct 282020

Challenger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radio will not turn on. Black screen.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 132018

Challenger

  • 1,000 miles
This has been going on for a year now and started the 2nd month I bought the car. What will happen is 1 to 2 times a week the uconnect 8.4C navigation screen will freeze on the screen it started up on and can not be change. You can make selections on the screen its stuck on, but when you need to with go to another page you cant. You must put the car in neutral and turn it off then back on to get the system to work properly. I let the dealer know during an oil change and they said they where not able to duplicate the issues. I then took the car in 3 months later and again they could not duplicate the issue. When I asked for records of my complaint and the car in the shop they said they could not find them. I will be taking the car to another dealer as the one I was going to is horrible. Also the issue happens at anytime I could be stationary, or driving, when driving it becomes a safety issue as I turn off and back on the car while in motion

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 012019

Challenger

  • 30,000 miles
This condition matches NHTSA 19V-203 which is for 2019 Dodge Challengers. However I have a 2018 Dodge Challenger exhibiting the same symptom. While the car is in motion, and at random times every day, the entire instrument panel cluster will go dark. By dark I mean all illuminated feature on the instrument panel are invisible. The car does not stall, and it can still be operated, but I can not see my speed, rpms, or any operational data, thereby creating a safety hazard, especially at night. This has happened intermittently since I purchased the car.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #6

Jun 102019

Challenger

  • 3,206 miles
Bought my car on May 7, 2018 brand new. It has 3206 miles, I really dont use it because it is used for pleasure/show but when I do the battery is discharged. I have had to call a total of 4 times-June, July, September, , October 2018 the battery discharged without any valid reason. In 2019 April, may the battery died again. The dealer took two weeks and finally changed the battery and reset the ibs. Hopefully this works but I needed to report it to someone. The dealer said that one reason why the battery discharges is because I dont drive it often.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 242018

Challenger

  • 6,000 miles
Started vehicle up, went to press car play on the uconnect screen and nothing happened. Tried pressing radio, apps, climate, nothing would work. Turned screen off then back on and still nothing would work. Sometimes if I go into reverse and the backup camera comes up, then go back to neutral/any other gear everything works again. Then other times I have to shut the car off completely then restart it for everything to start working again. This has happened 7-8 times since purchase new May 31, 2018

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Sep 262018

Challenger

  • 6,200 miles
Started vehicle up, pressed auto for auto climate and the light turned on but that was it. Pressed max A/C on the uconnect system, still nothing. While driving around I turned climate control off and back on to max A/C about 4 different times trying to get it to work and nothing.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #3

Jun 022018

Challenger

  • 100 miles
After starting my car, I plugged my phone into the usb port in glove box and phone wouldn't charge or show up on apple car play. Unplugged and plugged back in multiple times and same thing would happen. Turn car off and back on multiple times and all of a sudden it just starts working again. Sometimes works after first restart sometimes not at all until I leave the car for awhile and come back to restart it. Has happened countless times since purchase in May 2018, from day 2 of ownership.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #2

Mar 172018

Challenger

  • 2,000 miles
My radio screen constantly keeps rebooting or going on and off. Every time I hit a bump in the street or on the highway it goes off, then I hit another small bump and it comes back on. Sometimes I don't have to do a anything, just be sitting parked, and it goes out, which in turn, I can not use my backup screen cause it's not there! that makes it dangerous cause I can not see cars or pedestrians behind me. As you know, my radio screen is key to other features that I can not use because of the constant rebooting or going off and on.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 122018

Challenger

  • 4,100 miles
The uconnect radio system is not working in the cars. As such, the system reboots the radio every 30 seconds. The radio controls the backup camera among other things. Since it continuously reboots every thirty seconds, the backup camera fails and you.cannot see people behind you. The potential for hitting pedestrians is horrible. People could be killed by this. Dodge knows about and doesn't know when it will be fixed.

- Freeport, NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?