2010 Dodge Charger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Dodge Charger most often complain about sudden stalling or shutdown while driving, ignition-key and wireless-key (WIN module) problems, and air bags that failed to deploy in a crash. Many of these reports arrive at higher mileage, with a separate cluster of early-life complaints about fuel and exhaust odors inside the cabin. Air bag inflator recalls apply to this model year, and some owners report long waits for recall parts.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition key stuck or not releasing

   • 30 complaints (13%)
   • median 98,750 mi at 6.6 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners report the key failing to come out of the ignition after the car is switched off, sometimes needing repeated jiggling, and in other cases the key dropping out on its own or turning to accessory while driving and killing the engine. Dealers have quoted replacement of the wireless ignition node module or a steering-column module, and some owners were told their vehicle was not covered by the ignition recall. Key fobs that stop locking, unlocking, or starting the car are described in the same group of complaints. Mostly reported between roughly 38,000 and 205,000 miles, often on older, higher-mileage cars.

   Recall 10V2000001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm the key releases cleanly and the fob locks, unlocks and starts the car reliably; ask whether the wireless ignition node has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The key fob will not work with car, will not open the car, start the car without several attempts to use the key. Even after replacing the batteries and reprogramming new keys key fobs fail to open doors or turn car on. I also have been looking online for similar malfunctions thousands of Dodge car owners are having the same problem. I have been stranded in the middle of no where because the key would not start my car nor would the spare. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10649373, filed 2014-10, 50,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Charger. While driving various speeds, the key fell out of the ignition switch and caused the vehicle to shut off. Also, the vehicle would not immediately start when turning the ignition switch. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 180,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11288189, filed 2019-12, 180,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 47 complaints (20%)
   • median 97,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning while driving, at highway speed, at stoplights, or during turns, sometimes with loss of power steering and brakes and a refusal to restart. Some owners say the dealer could not reproduce or diagnose the stall, and several point to the powertrain control module or ignition-related electronics as suspected factors. A few report a chime and oil light at the moment of shutdown, then a normal restart. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to over 130,000 miles, with many in the 50,000-100,000 mile band.

   Recall 10V2000001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition node and PCM have been checked or updated, and have a scan tool read stored codes. A test drive should include stop-and-go and turning at low speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving normally about 20 MPH and I made a sharp turn and the engine shut off the power steering shut down there was a chime and the oil light turned on. I put the car in park and was able to start it up again. I hear and read that is a constant problem among consumers.”

   NHTSA complaint #10762723, filed 2015-09, 28,564 miles

   “Car shut off on me while going down interstate 70 miles and hour left lane passing traffic, no power steering, brakes. Thankfully a trucker saw my distress and let me over to get off interstate. This could have caused serious accident and bodily injury as air bags would not have deployed either. Would not restart had to have towed, starter replaced, not the issue. Upon research it appears this has happened with several chargers and other models produced by chrysler. Appears to be a win module issue but no recalls only for the t& c . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11033397, filed 2017-10, 157,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel and exhaust odor in the cabin

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 3,500 mi at 0.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2017

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline or exhaust smell building up inside the cabin while idling or driving, in some cases making occupants feel unwell, and in police-package cars noted across a fleet. Dealers reportedly could not duplicate the odor or diagnose it, and no repair was made in most of these reports. Rough idle and hesitation are sometimes mentioned alongside the smell. Reported very early in ownership, mostly under 6,000 miles and often while idling or parked.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Sit in the car with the engine idling and the vents open, and check for fuel or exhaust odor; ask whether the fuel system or evap components have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that whenever he is in the vehicle with the engine running, gas fumes start to accumulate inside the cabin. One occupant became sick from the fumes. The dealer cannot duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been contacted. This failure started as soon as he purchased the vehicle. The current mileage was approximately 3500.”

   NHTSA complaint #10357017, filed 2010-09, 3,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the vehicle would lunge forward when idling or braking to a stop. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer several times over a two week time frame. The fuel pump and the heads were replaced but the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by manufacturing defects. The failure mileage was 26,680. Updated 10/18/11 updated 3/30/12”

   NHTSA complaint #10426624, filed 2011-09, 26,680 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Camshaft, rocker arm and lifter wear (ticking, misfire)

   • 19 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe a persistent ticking or knocking from the engine, rough idle, shaking and misfire codes, with dealers replacing cylinder heads, gaskets, rocker arm and lifter assemblies, or an EGR valve. In some cases the noise or misfire returned after repair. A related group reports the timing chain fracturing, and one bulletin describes timing chain guide failure on this engine family. Often noted between about 40,000 and 180,000 miles, with some owners noticing the noise shortly after purchase.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at idle and on start-up, and check for stored misfire codes; ask for service records on any head, rocker arm or timing chain work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 .. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11143952, filed 2018-10, 179,867 miles

   “On the day of purchase in april 2013, I observed and inquired about a ticking noise in the car's engine. The salesman stated that it was probably due for an oil change. Since then, I have had several oil changes, but the ticking still exists. After speaking with a couple of mechanics, I was told the problem may be bad lifters. As of today I checked for possible recalls on the car. None were listed. I am requesting this matter be investigated further and a remedy be provided by the car maker.”

   NHTSA complaint #10648785, filed 2014-10, 64,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bags did not deploy in a crash

   • 57 complaints (25%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2022

   Several owners describe collisions, including rear-end impacts at moderate speed, in which none of the air bags deployed. Some note the vehicle was later declared a total loss, and a few mention injuries. Others report difficulty getting the passenger inflator recall performed because parts were unavailable or the vehicle was refused service. Reported from about 70,000 to 150,000 miles; no clear seasonal or usage pattern in the sample.

   Recall 19V018000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V021000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check the VIN against open air bag inflator recalls and confirm the inflator replacements were actually completed, with paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #11416112, filed 2021-05, 100,000 miles

   “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 complaint #11172454, filed 2019-01, 40,000 miles

Buying note. A 2010 Charger with service records showing the air bag inflator recalls were completed and any ignition or PCM work addressed is the safer starting point. On a test drive, listen for engine ticking, confirm the key releases and restarts cleanly, and check for fuel or exhaust smells inside the cabin.

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.