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Verdict

2021 Dodge Challenger: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2021 Dodge Challenger — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

More reported complaints than most coupe.

Owners filed 18 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 89% of 2021 coupes. Air Bags leads the reports (22%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 coupes, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

18

Reports to NHTSA, 2021

Safety recalls

2

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

18

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 89% of 2021 coupes

The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 coupes by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (22% of 18 reports), followed by electrical system (17%).

Air Bags22% · 4 reports
Electrical System17% · 3 reports
Engine11% · 2 reports
Power Train11% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other11% · 2 reports
Forward Collision Avoidance6% · 1 report
None6% · 1 report
Seats6% · 1 report

+ 2 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 18 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11588705, ODI 11462849, ODI 11453465, ODI 11540153.

Recalls(2)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

VisibilityAug 2021 · 21V516000Details +

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

Risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.

Electrical System · 21V664000Details +

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Risk: Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2021 Dodge Challenger 2 DR RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2021 Dodge Challenger 2 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Challenger3.6L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive193023
Challenger5.7L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive162519
Challenger5.7L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive152318
Challenger6.4L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive152418
Challenger6.4L 8-cylRear-Wheel Drive142317

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2021 Dodge Challenger: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

Owners filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Dodge Challenger — more complaints than 89% of comparable 2021 coupes, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2021 Dodge Challenger?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (22% of complaints) and electrical system (17%).

How many recalls does the 2021 Dodge Challenger have?

2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2021 Dodge Challenger, covering components such as visibility. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Dodge Challenger get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Dodge Challenger between 17 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.