2013 Dodge Charger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2013 Dodge Charger most often describe electrical trouble: alternator failures that cut power or stall the car, plus air bag warning lights and erratic dash behavior. Steering loss and engine valvetrain noises (ticking lifters and rocker arms) also come up repeatedly, and many complaints mention prior recalls that owners say did not cover their car. Reports span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 150,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Alternator failure and electrical shutdown

   • 143 complaints (40%)
   • median 57,500 mi at 4.3 yrs old (94 state mileage)
   • 20 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe the battery-saver message or a red battery icon appearing, dash lights and interior lights flickering, the radio and heat shutting off, and then the vehicle losing power or stalling while driving. Several say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed a failed alternator, sometimes with a dead battery, and that smoke or a hot, crackling smell came from the alternator area. A number mention the car stalled at highway speed and had to be towed. Reported from about 12,000 miles up to roughly 125,000, with many cases between 25,000 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 14V634000Recall 17V435000

   What to check: Ask whether the alternator has been replaced and whether recall 14V634000 or 17V435000 was completed for this VIN; watch for a battery or battery-saver warning on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While my wife was driving our 2013 Dodge Charger on the highway at 65 MPH the dash board started acting strangely and the windshield wipers came on. Before the vehicle could be brought to a stop it lost all power and control including the ability to steer the vehicle. The problem was diagnosed as a short in the alternator that also defected the battery. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11000583, filed 2017-06, 100,000 miles

   “I am in receipt of safety recall p60/NHTSA 14v-634 I own a 2013 Dodge Charger se 3.6l engine, wa580 5-spd transmission. On thursday, january 29, 2015, while traveling from la valle, wi to tomah, wi, I noticed my headlights flickering when the brakes were applied. On friday, january 31, 2015, I emailed a note to chrysler assistance that I had received notification of recall about 2 months prior, with no further communications from chrysler. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10680999, filed 2015-02, 21,547 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering loss

   • 27 complaints (8%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2024

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, sometimes without warning, while turning left, reversing, or pulling out of a parking space, and one case where the wheel was hard to turn with a vibration. Several say the power steering warning light came on, and repairs reported include a power steering pump or a gear rack and pinion replacement. Some owners say they were told their VIN was not covered by a recall. Reported from about 61,000 miles upward, with many cases above 80,000 miles.

   Recall 17V435000

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock at idle and listen for noise or a grab, and ask whether the power steering pump or rack has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering started grabbing and sqealing around 81k miles when I turn. Sometimes it would become very hard to control when slowing down to turn such as at red lights or in a drive thru. No lights or sensors ever came on. From what I have read online there are several 2013 Dodge chargers with the same issue. This is very dangerous and expensive to have repaired. I opted to have it fixed but I feel this issue should be looked into. I had the gear rack and pinion and power pump replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #11394606, filed 2021-02, 81,000 miles

   “Vehicle had a multi-system failure while driving away from a parking lot. Engine did not stall at first. Initially the steering became hard from power steering loss, service awd light came on, service power steering light was next, followed by brake system failure. Car was still a little driveable and then it stalled as I was stopping. This vehicle is very dangerous. Vehicle would not restart even though the button start system was telling me to step on the brake and push start. Waited 3 hours for a capable tow truck (due to the awd). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10897499, filed 2016-08, 66,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light on

   • 34 complaints (9%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe the air bag warning light coming on and staying on while driving at various speeds, often repeatedly. Some owners were told by a dealer that a wiring issue, a sensor under the passenger front seat, or a fractured component associated with the air bag needed repair, and several said the work was not covered after the factory warranty ended. Others note the light appeared after a recall repair had been performed. Mostly reported between about 23,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few at very low mileage.

   Recall 18V021000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 19V018000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V4670001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key on, confirm the air bag light comes on and then goes out; ask for proof that the air bag inflator and side-curtain recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My airbag light came on and stayed on. I referred to the owner's manual, which stated to seek service immediately. I went to the dealership where I purchased my new vehicle. I was told oh there's a recall, we need to make you an appointment. I took my car in on the scheduled day, but the next day I was told that its a wiring issue and the airbags may not deploy. The factory warranty expired so you're responsible is what I was told by the dealership and chrysler group llc. I disagree since this could potentially be a factory defect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10606542, filed 2014-06, 39,600 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was not diagnosed; however, the dealer confirmed there were no open recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11760845, filed 2026-08, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine tick, lifter and camshaft wear

   • 16 complaints (4%)
   • median 50,600 mi at 4.6 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Complaints describe a ticking or tapping sound from the engine that grows louder, along with rough idle, hesitation, misfire, or loss of power. Owners who had it inspected say the rocker arms, lifters, or camshaft showed premature wear, and in some cases the dealer recommended engine replacement. Some were told the noise was normal on these engines before the problem worsened. Mostly reported between about 100,000 and 145,000 miles, often after a long period of a light tick.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a tick at cold start and at idle, and ask whether lifters, rocker arms, or the camshaft have been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I first purchased the vehicle it had a tick I asked the dealership what was that they told me it was a (hemi tick) that all chargers had that sound so I drove it to around 100, 000 miles and while driving down the road it begin to make this loud noise sounding like a truck . I took it to the shop and they told me my number 3 plug or whatever it's called was misfiring took it to crown Dodge and they told me that it was going to cost me 8,599 to fix this probkem that I always had. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11301616, filed 2020-01, 100,000 miles

   “Vehicle developed rocker arm tick or 'pentastar tick' from the left side head during a highway trip , vehicle experienced loss of power when accelerating and slightly shook car at idle. This failure and the cause of the noise is due to faulty rocker arms”

   NHTSA complaint #11373014, filed 2020-11, 130,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or delayed transmission shifting

   • 34 complaints (9%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2024

   Owners describe RPM spiking between gears followed by a hard shift, occasional refusal to downshift to first after a stop, starting off in second, and needing to shut the car off and restart to clear it. Others report the shifter showing the vehicle is not in park when it is, or the car not shutting off with the push button. One owner was told the transmission output shaft had failed. Reported from roughly 69,000 to 125,000 miles, with several cases in the 90,000 to 100,000 range.

   Recall 16V240000Recall 13V6100003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive through several upshifts and downshifts at light and moderate throttle, and ask whether the transmission control software has been updated or the output shaft inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Started about 2 years ago. When going from 3rd to 4th gear car RPM would spike high then violently shift gears. Past few months it's starting to do it from 2nd to 3rd gear also. Also sometimes will not down shift to first gear after coming to complete stop. When this happens will start off in second gear will not shift from 3rd to 4th at all and will not let you shift manually. Have to pull over put it in park and turn car off. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11362145, filed 2020-10, 98,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Charger. While stationary, the vehicle became stuck in the drive position and would not switch gears when prompted. The contact stated that the vehicle would not turn off and continued to run. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Ron carter chrysler, Dodge, jeep of houston texas was made aware of the failure, but stated that the service department was closed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10994556, filed 2017-06, 86,000 miles

Buying note. Check for completed alternator and air bag recalls by VIN, listen for steering noise and an engine tick, and drive the car through the gears. These are older vehicles, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes the charging system and transmission is worth the cost.

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.