Brand record
Dodge Recalls by Model: Reliability and Common Problems
Every Dodge model in NHTSA's owner complaint file, 2010 to 2025: the recall campaigns for each model, which models and years owners complain about most, and the problems they report.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 202626,944 complaints22 models
The Grand Caravan drew the most owner complaints of any Dodge in NHTSA's file for 2010 to 2025, then the Durango and the Journey. The Durango and the Charger have the most recall campaigns, 40 and 40.
Best-sellers draw the most reports, so a high count is not a failure rate. Check one car with its VIN.
Recalls 14V-634 and 17V-435 cover an alternator that can fail suddenly on the 2011 to 2014 Charger, Challenger and Durango with the 3.6-liter V6 or the 5.7-liter V8. Dealers inspect it and replace it free where the recall calls for it.
Recall 18V-332 covers a wiring short that can keep cruise control from switching off with the brake pedal or the switch on the 2014 to 2018 Charger, Durango and Journey and the 2015 to 2018 Challenger. The dealer reflashes the engine computer free.
On the 2008 to 2010 Grand Caravan and the 2009 and 2010 Journey, a jolt can knock the ignition switch out of Run and shut the engine off; recall 14V-373 replaces the switch and the key fobs free.
Dodge recalls by model
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for each Dodge model, model years 2010 to 2025, read Oct 3, 2026. Each campaign counts once per model, however many years it covers. NHTSA's recall service returned no answer for Durango 2024, so those years are not counted. Recall repairs are free at the dealer; check one car with its VIN.
- DurangoMost often: electrical system40
- ChargerMost often: airbag system40
- ChallengerMost often: electrical system29
- Grand CaravanMost often: electrical system23
- JourneyMost often: steering20
- DartMost often: powertrain11
- AvengerMost often: steering8
Dodge complaints by model
Owner complaints to NHTSA for each Dodge model with at least 1,000 of them, model years 2010 to 2025, and the year that drew the most. A best-seller draws more reports than a rare model, so read these as counts, not failure rates. 14 smaller models are left out.
- Grand CaravanMost: 2016 · electrical system5,022
- DurangoMost: 2011 · electrical system4,438
- JourneyMost: 2010 · electrical system3,822
- ChargerMost: 2011 · electrical system3,091
- DartMost: 2012 · powertrain2,499
- Ram 1500Most: 2012 · electrical system1,868
- AvengerMost: 2012 · airbag system1,678
- ChallengerMost: 2010 · airbag system1,535
Dodge model years with the most complaints
The ten Dodge model years owners complained about most, with the system they named most. These are the years to inspect hardest before you buy, not a verdict on every car.
- 2012 DartPowertrain41%1,081
- 2016 Grand CaravanElectrical system31%998
- 2010 JourneyElectrical system58%988
- 2010 Grand CaravanElectrical system62%868
- 2011 DurangoElectrical system62%797
- 2014 DurangoExterior lighting32%782
- 2012 Ram 1500Electrical system24%695
- 2011 ChargerElectrical system52%694
- 2011 Ram 1500Electrical system30%688
- 2012 ChargerElectrical system50%648
Most common Dodge problems
The systems owners named most across every Dodge model and year in the file, counted from each model year's six most-named systems.
- Electrical system33% of the complaints8,765
- Engine17% of the complaints4,488
- Powertrain11% of the complaints3,004
- Airbag system7% of the complaints1,960
- Steering6% of the complaints1,641
- Braking system6% of the complaints1,547
Our guides for these problems
Check engine codes Dodge owners name
The OBD-II codes owners wrote into their complaints for the 2 Dodge model years we have read in full, one count per complaint. None of these codes has a guide yet.
Common questions
Are Dodges reliable?
The complaint file can't grade a brand, because it counts reports, not failures per car sold. What it shows is where Dodge owners report trouble: the electrical system most, then the engine, and the Grand Caravan, Durango and Journey draw the most complaints.
Which Dodges should you stay away from?
No model is bad in every year. The model years with the most owner complaints are 2012 Dart, 2016 Grand Caravan, 2010 Journey and 2010 Grand Caravan; inspect those hardest and check their recalls before you buy.
Which Dodge has the most recalls?
The Durango, with 40 recall campaigns across model years 2010 to 2025, then the Charger with 40.
What is the most common problem with Dodges?
Owners name the electrical system most, in 8,765 complaints, 33% of the Dodge record, then the engine, in 4,488.
How do I check if my Dodge has a recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN in our free recall checker or on NHTSA's recall page. It lists open recalls for that one car, and the dealer does the repair for free.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.