2008 Dodge Charger Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the ignition switch and the wireless ignition node module: owners describe stalls while driving, no-start conditions, and a key that will not turn or release. Many filings reference recall 14V567000, with owners saying parts were unavailable so the repair could not be completed. A second, distinct pattern involves the electric radiator cooling fan coming apart and damaging the radiator, and a third involves Takata airbag inflator recalls with no remedy parts available for long periods.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch / WIN module failure and stalling

   • 272 complaints (45%)
   • median 99,343 mi at 7.4 yrs old (218 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $786 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, sometimes at highway speed, and the car then failing to restart or needing several attempts. Others report the key sticking in the switch or failing to turn at all, and some say the dealer diagnosed the wireless ignition node (WIN) module or ignition switch as the cause. Many complaints mention recall 14V567000 and say the dealer had no parts, could not schedule the repair, or told them the vehicle was outside the recall by age. Spread widely from about 15,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many filings between roughly 50,000 and 150,000 miles.

   Recall 14V567000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that recall 14V567000 was completed and whether the ignition switch or WIN module has been replaced. Test cold starts repeatedly, check that the key turns freely and releases, and note any stall history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Problems starting the switch gets stuck after I try starting it and no my car doesn't start at all doesn't even turn over lights and fingers all are working but won't crank”

   NHTSA complaint #11362694, filed 2020-10, 178,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and the ignition switch failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10759496, filed 2015-08, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag inflator recall with no remedy parts available

   • 151 complaints (25%)
   • median 90,900 mi at 7.6 yrs old (62 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Many owners report receiving repeated recall notices for the front airbag inflators but being told by dealers that parts were not available, sometimes for years, so the repair was never done. Some describe crashes where airbags did not deploy or deployed abnormally, and others describe both front bags opening in a relatively low-speed impact. Complaints also mention an intermittent airbag warning light. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low-mileage vehicles to those past 150,000 miles; most filings date from 2015 onward.

   Recall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check the VIN against open airbag recalls and confirm with a dealer in writing that the inflator remedy has actually been performed, not just scheduled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have received numerous reminders from mopar, NHTSA, etc to have my air bags fixed that have been recalled. Every time I try to schedule an appointment, I'm told there are no parts available no matter where I call. Any suggestions on how this can be resolved so that I may get my vehicle fixed? Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #11033301, filed 2017-10, 124,000 miles

   “I was planning to go to the dealership and have the two airbag recalls fixed. Before I had the chance to do that ,february 22 ,2020, my vehicle was involved in a minor accident that is still under dispute ,the driver side and passenger air bags both deployed and exploded open. The vehicle was hit on the left drivers side on the fender at less than 30 miles an hour the only airbags that deployed were the ones under active recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11320354, filed 2020-04, 156 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Radiator cooling fan breaks apart and damages radiator

   • 38 complaints (6%)
   • median 91,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the plastic electric cooling fan blades cracking and separating while driving, with pieces striking and puncturing the radiator. The result is sudden loss of coolant, steam, and overheating; in some cases the engine was damaged or seized. Complaints note the fan and radiator had to be replaced, and at least one owner mentions a prior service campaign on the same part. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 90,000 miles, often during ordinary driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the cooling fan blades and shroud for cracks or missing pieces, check for coolant residue around the radiator, and ask whether the fan assembly has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11244787, filed 2019-08, 89,000 miles

   “This is the second time my cooling system fan has broken the plastic pieces broke off and went into my radiator and broken fan belt causing my vehicle to almost have a head-on collision.safety safety safety safety now I must pay someone out of pocket to repair this problem again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10725111, filed 2015-06, 70,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hard shifting and rough running

   • 30 complaints (5%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2022

   Owners describe harsh 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts, shuddering or shaking, rough idle, and occasional loss of power, with some reporting the transmission dropping into a low gear on its own. Complaints also mention stalling when accelerating from a stop. Dealers in some cases could not reproduce or diagnose the concern. Mostly between about 45,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 08V583000Recall 08V2950002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car from cold and feel for harsh 1-2 shifts or shuddering, and ask whether the transmission control module has been reflashed under a service bulletin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We just purchased a 2008 Dodge Charger and we were driving and the car started shaking extremely bad and idle rough and started loosing power. We also have had a lot of problems with the AC and also the dash buckle above the radio.”

   NHTSA complaint #10610981, filed 2014-07, 104,105 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the transmission shifted into first gear independently. The failure recurred frequently and often, it would stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 111,465.”

   NHTSA complaint #10515026, filed 2013-06, 86,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Steering becomes suddenly hard to turn

   • 56 complaints (9%)
   • median 74,250 mi at 5.8 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe the steering wheel abruptly becoming very difficult to turn while driving, sometimes with a traction control warning light, and returning to normal after the engine is restarted. Complaints note the problem recurred and that dealers either could not diagnose it or the vehicle was not repaired. One complaint describes an ABS and traction control warning followed by loss of braking at low speed. Reported from roughly 39,000 to 170,000 miles.

   What to check: Test steering effort at low speed and listen for rattles or vibration through the wheel; check for ABS and traction control warnings during the test drive and ask about any history of steering or wheel-hub repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2008 Dodge Charger was wrecked in april. The ABS light and esp (traction control) lights on the dash came on. The next thing I knew there was no brakes at low speeds. This had never happened before. I continued to my destination only a few miles away and planned to call a tow truck. As I tried to stop so I could get out to open a gate the car would not stop and I wrecked the car. There was nothing done to correct the failure. The car was totaled and nothing was ever done by Dodge or chrysler to compensate for the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10302931, filed 2010-01, 19,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the steering wheel suddenly became hard to turn. The failure was experienced several times. The steering returned to normal function when the engine was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnosed performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 39,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10509077, filed 2013-04, 39,000 miles

Buying note. For this model year, verify recall completion in writing rather than relying on notice letters, especially for the ignition switch and airbag inflator campaigns. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on the cooling fan, steering feel, and transmission behavior on a cold test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.