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Dodge ChallengerModel year report

2021 Dodge Challenger Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,160miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 6.4L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Dodge Challenger (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,160 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 287 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 85 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Left frontal Collision between drivers side head assembly and center front of car- with white tail deer about 100-120 lbs. , causing extensive damage to car. $19,000. Payout from progressive for those extensive repairs. And airbags never deployed. This seems highly alarming to me. The abrupt stop, or the sudden heavy damage to front of vehicle seems like it would activate airbags?? Safety issue??”

NHTSA complaint #11462849, filed 2022-04

Electrical system: “While operating my vehicle at road speed the electric steering rack failed. This rendered the steering inoperative. It was impossible to steer the vehicle. Not only is this situation extremely dangerous and deadly, there was no advanced warning. I received no prompts or warning lights before the incident happened. I researched and found that certain 2021 Dodge Challengers were involved in a warning system recall. My specific vehicle was not included in the recall. This is what Dodge and the dealership who did the repair kept telling me while they ignored any responsibility. …”

NHTSA complaint #11750829, filed 2026-07

Engine: “The contact owns a 2021 Dodge SXT. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, it caught on fire without warning. The fire marshals extinguished the flames. A report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11436031, filed 2021-10, 16,000 miles

Other or unknown: “This may not be the correct place to report this but it is a serious problem. Since Google took over the Waze navigation app they have been relentless in popping up ads, useless information and so on. They are now asking if I am driving an electric car of all things.... all while I'm driving on the highway! This strong, relentless encouragement to get drivers to distract their attention from the responsibility of driving is a menace! These apps know when a vehicle is in motion and these marketing idiots should not be doing this. …”

NHTSA complaint #11535150, filed 2023-07

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 44,850 miles.

20%0–1040%10–2540%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,160 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20212022202342024420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Challenger · coupe AWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 11.1% risk
Challenger · coupe RWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 11.1% risk
Challenger(front Seat) · coupe RWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 11.1% risk
Challenger(driver) · coupe RWDnot rated4 / –554 · 11.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Dodge Challenger version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Challenger RWD3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic193023$2,900
Challenger RWD5.7L 8-cyl8-speed automatic162519$4,000
Challenger RWD5.7L 8-cyl6-speed manual152318$4,550
Challenger RWD6.4L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152418$4,550
Challenger RWD6.4L 8-cyl6-speed manual142317$4,850
Challenger AWD3.6L 6-cyl8-speed automatic182721$3,200
Challenger SRT RWD6.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic132216$5,150
Challenger SRT RWD6.2L 8-cyl6-speed manual132116$5,150
Challenger SRT Widebody RWD6.2L 8-cyl6-speed manual132116$5,150
Challenger SRT Widebody RWD6.2L 8-cyl8-speed automatic132115$5,500
Challenger Widebody RWD6.4L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152418$4,550
Challenger Widebody RWD6.4L 8-cyl6-speed manual142317$4,850

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Dodge Challenger → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 287 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 287 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge Challenger

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20234329,85125173 · FewerToo new
2022910,0002517—Not enough data
20211917,1602517—Rising
2020202851517—Rising
2019594,884351820 · FewerStable
20187522,012351824 · FewerFalling
20174932,00035180 · FewerStable
20167816,000151810 · FewerFalling
201512731,250551851 · TypicalFalling
201414936,000451849 · TypicalFalling
201317950,000551864 · TypicalFalling
201225353,0006—1882 · MoreFalling
201119355,0006—1851 · TypicalFalling
201029935,0967—1894 · MoreFalling
200913330,1527—1970 · MoreFalling
20081039,0003—15—Not enough data

All Dodge Challenger model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2021 Dodge Challenger as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Dodge Challenger is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2021 Dodge Challenger been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Dodge Challenger do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Dodge Challenger 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Dodge Challenger get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Dodge Challenger (Challenger, 6.4L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Dodge Challenger reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,160 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 44,850 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.