2014 Dodge Charger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Dodge Charger most often describe power steering loss — a sudden, unassisted steering feel accompanied by a "Service Power Steering" message and multiple warning lights — plus a range of electrical complaints involving the battery, alternator and warning lights. Engine complaints center on a ticking noise from worn lifters and camshafts and on oil leaks from the plastic oil filter/cooler housing. Most reports in this sample arrive between roughly 50,000 and 120,000 miles, though the steering reports include a few very low-mileage vehicles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering cuts out / steering goes heavy

   • 52 complaints (15%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Complaints describe the steering suddenly becoming very hard to turn, often with a "Service Power Steering" message and a cluster of warning lights (service shifter, auto park disabled, check engine). Some owners say it happened while turning at low speed or backing out of a space; others report it at highway speeds. Several were told the power steering pump had failed, and some mention pumps being in short supply or on back order. A few owners link the symptom to alternator problems, and some note the steering later worked normally after a restart. Spread from very low mileage up to about 140,000 miles, with many reports between roughly 60,000 and 115,000 miles.

   Recall 17V435000Recall 17V741000Recall 14V634000

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump or alternator has been replaced, and test the steering through full left and right turns at low speed. During a test drive, watch for a service power steering message or warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My powersteering pump and alternator went out on my 2014 while I was driving thank god know accident occurred had it tow to the dealership they put both parts brand new 10 days later it gone back out had to have it tow back to the dealership”

   NHTSA complaint #11364302, filed 2020-10, 134,521 miles

   “Driving down the road at 58 MPH and power steering went complety out! No warning at all! Dash lights went crazy. Warning lights: service shifter, service power steering, auto park disabled, check engine, then dash lights started blacking completely out. Very dangerous! I took to my mechanic and he says that the power steering pump has been fired. After reading the altenator recall, thia explained everything that happened! All recalls have been fixed on this vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11355023, filed 2020-09, 69,620 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery drain, alternator and warning lights

   • 100 complaints (29%)
   • median 57,915 mi at 3.9 yrs old (86 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,050 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a battery saver or battery charging message, repeated no-starts and needing jump starts, and a battery and charging system that test fine at the shop. Some complaints describe the alternator failing, and others report warning lights, wipers, windows or the radio behaving on their own, or the dash lighting up and the console going blank. Several owners note that an alternator replacement resolved the symptoms only temporarily. Reported from under 15,000 miles up to around 140,000 miles, with many reports in the 60,000-100,000 mile range.

   Recall 17V741000Recall 17V435000Recall 14V634000Recall 18V3320004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the battery and charging system load-tested, and confirm whether the alternator campaigns (17V741000 / 17V435000 / 14V634000) were completed for this VIN. Ask whether a battery saver message has appeared.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car displaying battery saver mode have had battery checked and always with a passing diagnosis I have gotten car checked and it might be a faulty alternator car has donde this since starting of second year of purchase but never have out much attention to this u til now that car shuts off and have to get jumped in order to start I have seen in forums that people have this issue and is reoccurring in this model and year”

   NHTSA complaint #11327635, filed 2020-06, 139,200 miles

   “While driving on interstate at full speed a message appeared on vehicle instrument panel: battery saver mode. Was concerned as I did not know what the message meant. Was not mentioned in the owner manual. Looked up message on Dodge Charger forum, realized that my vehicle falls within years for recall, with 160 amp alternator, but my particular VIN number is not included in recall nor have I been contacted. Perhaps it, along with others, should be to warn owners of potential issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10766300, filed 2015-09, 13,900 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS and stability-control warning lights

   • 26 complaints (8%)
   • median 39,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the ABS, traction control and parking brake lights coming on together, sometimes along with a stability control message, and cruise control not working afterward. Complaints describe diagnosis as a failed ABS module or a wheel speed or dynamic sensor, and some owners say the parts were unavailable or a dealer waiting list applied. Several note the vehicle otherwise drove normally. Reported from about 26,000 miles up to around 120,000 miles, with several reports near 60,000-100,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm all warning lamps cycle off after start, then check that cruise control engages. Ask whether an ABS module or wheel speed sensor has been replaced and whether parts were available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My stability control light came on the same day I went up a steep driveway. It has happened before as my tires slipped on some sand but the light turned right off. This time it has stayed on and it was diagnosed as the multi-axis acceleration sensor (aka dynamic sensor) internal failure. Firestone had never heard of this part going out nor has my mechanic. I am hoping something is wrong and this part gets recalled as I do believe the steep driveway caused this issue which should not happen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389878, filed 2021-01, 88,500 miles

   “On 9/21/2020, my car had and passed a state & emission inspection. My car was driven 200 miles from date of inspection to current date. When I started my car the service awd, ABS, and traction control lights came on in park. Took it to the dealership on 10/26/2020, they said it was the wheel speed sensor and asked, if I might have hit a pothole or bumps on the road. I was in disbelief, because I only drive on smooth roads and my car is barely moved. I've purchased my car brand new on 9/19/2014 and six years later, my mileage is at 26,420. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11366486, filed 2020-10, 26,417 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Ticking noise and camshaft/lifter wear

   • 16 complaints (5%)
   • median 90,166 mi at 6.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners describe a ticking or tapping noise from the engine, sometimes with rough idle, misfire, bucking, hesitation and reduced power. Complaints say dealers diagnosed worn lifters, rocker arms and camshaft lobes, in some cases recommending engine replacement, and several mention parts being on back order. At least one owner says maintenance was done ahead of the manual's schedule when the noise appeared. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 120,000 miles, with a few reports higher, up to around 200,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a rhythmic tick at idle and on light acceleration, and ask whether lifters, rockers or camshafts have been serviced. A pre-purchase inspection that includes checking for stored misfire codes is worth the cost.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle had 114k miles on it and was running smoothly with no error on display. Took it in for the 100k maintenance and now it has a check engine light on it, and when it sitting idle it's misfiring and making noises. Before I took it in, before the technician replace spark plugs my car was great now he telling me it going to cost 5k to repair it”

   NHTSA complaint #11408209, filed 2021-04, 114,000 miles

   “First my car would not detect my keys (even after I replaced batter). When I was driving the check engine light would randomly come on and off even after getting all repairs completed. One day it repeatedly flashed on and off and keeps constantly. My car was also jumping and vibrating extremely hard and the engine was ticking. Going slow or slowing down, my car has a hard time turning. I went to autozone and ran an diagnostics. Afterwards I took it to the Dodge dealership and told them what I was experiencing and what the diagnostic said. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11374628, filed 2020-11, 99,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Oil leak from filter/cooler housing

   • 15 complaints (4%)
   • median 66,100 mi at 6.0 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2023

   Complaints describe oil dripping under the car and pooling near the top of the engine, traced to a cracked plastic oil filter housing or cooler adapter. Owners say dealers described the failure as common on this engine and that replacement parts were back-ordered, and one owner received a replacement part that also leaked. Repair costs in the complaints were paid by the owner. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles; one report came in near 140,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for oil residue on the top front of the engine and fresh drips underneath, and ask whether the oil filter adapter/housing has been replaced. Check the oil level and note any burning-oil smell after a drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car was parked when I noticed oil leaking from under the car. After getting this issue checked out it was brought to my attention is was the oil filter housing. After calling several dealerships I was made aware this has been a very common issue in all Dodge/jeep/chrysler models 2014. So common that the replacement part is on 100,000 back ordered.”

   NHTSA complaint #11406892, filed 2021-04, 60,000 miles

   “Recently my car was found to have an oil leak. It appears to be coming from the housing/cooling unit for my car. From doing research it is found that this seems to be a common problem with all 2014 Dodge vehicles. This is causing oil to pool in the bottom of the engine. This if the oil is not checked regularly can cause a massive malfunction of the engine or even a vehicle fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399809, filed 2021-03, 139,900 miles

Buying note. A 2014 Charger is worth a careful look at the steering and charging systems, since owners most often describe power steering loss and battery/alternator trouble, and engine ticking or oil leaks from the filter housing are also common at higher mileage. Ask for recall and service records, run a pre-purchase inspection, and confirm the alternator and airbag campaigns were completed for the specific VIN.

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.