There's no denying the Challenger its credit as a strong presence on the road. It prowls with a guttural snarl, and thanks to its supercharged V8s it pounces without warning.
As the Mustang and Camaro have slowly turned into true sports cars, and while the Charger has four doors and only comes with an automatic, the Challenger has stayed true to its muscle car roots. That's not always a good thing, however, when it comes to looks and sound, there's only one car on the road that looks like it entered a time machine way back in 1970. That's something the Challenger, and Dodge in general can be proud of.
10 They Have Rogue Window Switches
As a whole, the Challenger's reliability is far from the worst that Chrysler has to offer, but sometimes a few issues slip through the cracks. Middle-aged models from the new generation, circa 2013 suffer from some interesting problems.
Owners have reported the windows lowering and raising back up by themselves about every 30 seconds. This is detrimental to the battery's charge, and several owners return to their car only to find a dead battery. According to NHTSA, this problem was not recalled.
9 Alternators Fail Constantly
Owners of V6 equipped Challengers may find replacing alternators as second nature. Many 2012 Challenger owners report alternators failing at random, sometimes while the car is in motion, nearly causing accidents. Before the car shuts off, the ABS and traction control are the first systems to go.
Especially in a car, this massive, lack of ABS is dangerous for everyone else on the road. This was seemingly more prominent with V6 engines, but V8 owners experienced the same thing. Chrysler in its infinite wisdom recalled the problem on both engines, according to NHTSA.
8 5.7 Liter Has Many Problems
Lots of Challenger RT owners have reported problems with their 5.7-liter V8. Common problems include valve tick, misfires, and issues with the engine's multi-displacement system. Valve tick isn't necessarily an issue for engines, but in certain cases, it has led to Challenger owners needing their 5.7 rebuilt.
Oil starvation is a likely culprit, which could lead to faulty lifters and eventually seized rollers. MDS shuts off half of the engine's cylinders while cruising to maximize fuel efficiency, but some owners report their engines running rough while this system is activated.
7 An Electrical Short Could Cause A Fire
For one month Chrysler produced a Challenger V6 that had a problem where the battery positive starter motor cable could short to ground. This would cause a fire under the hood. Luckily this problem was recalled. It occurred with 2013 models made between December 2012 and January 2013.
This was a rough year for the Challenger, as it was the same model that had its alternator problem. It also had airbags that would explode and send metal shards at the car's occupants. Thankfully that was recalled as well.
6 They Have Severe Automatic Transmission Problems
Many owners of multiple Challenger vintages who opted for the automatic transmission experienced the same setback, where the transmission would buck mid-shift. Sometimes it wouldn't go into the right gear, while other instances saw the transmission shift at an inopportune time, almost causing the driver to crash.
The obvious fix for this is to just get a manual transmission and be happy. Unfortunately, Chrysler never recalled its automatic transmission issue, despite multiple owners experiencing the same symptoms.
5 Cruise Control Sometimes Doesn’t Deactivate
Several Challenger model years had a horrific problem where the cruise control would not deactivate. While it's possible Chrysler stumbled into discovering AI, it's more likely there was some fault with the electrical system. NHTSA chalked it up to yet another short circuit in the wiring harness, where pressing the brake pedal or turning the system off has no effect.
When this occurs, the car can either maintain speed or accelerate. It seems to be a problem primarily with model years from 2016-2018, and only with the Mopar Stage 1 kit performance package, also present in the Dodge Demon.
4 They Leak Fuel
Owners of the 2015 SRT model may want to inspect their fuel system for possible leaks. Chrysler recalled almost 1,900 cars to mend a problem where the o-ring seal and fuel rail crossover hose can sustain damage, break apart and leak fuel all over the engine bay.
With all the electrical shorts happening under the hood, not to mention the V8 exhaust that gets to hellish temperatures, a fuel leak is not ideal. This problem was found in cars made between September 2014-February 2015.
3 It Is A Heavy Car
Owners may not realize just how heavy this car can be. At its lightest, it weighs more than 3,850 pounds and can get up to over 4,400 pounds. Granted in its Demon form with 807 horsepower, the weight might not be such an issue.
However, for those settling for a Scat Pack or SRT, that extra weight becomes noticeable. It feels heavy to drive as well. While it's quite easy to drive in terms of steering and pressing the gas, the extra weight can at times feel like its maneuverability is inhibited.
2 The Base Engine Is Worthless
Considering how much the car weighs, it's a wonder a six-cylinder was even an option. Its measly 300 horsepower feels like a pack mule trying to tow a Panzer through a marsh. The Challenger's base MSRP starts at $28,870, but the RT with its V8 starts at just $35,000.
It's not that much more money for an infinitely better driving experience. A six-cylinder might be good for gas mileage, but a Challenger is meant for so much more. Its iconic roar should bellow and shake the ground and incite terror.
1 Handles Like A 60s Classic Car
Chrysler took it to heart when it set out to resurrect the Challenger in all its former glory. While behind the wheel, the Challenger with its wide and long body almost feels like it should have a speedometer that reads in Knots. Better handling and speed can be found in the Mustang and at a comparable price.
The suspension is softer than clouds, and inside the car feels safe and secure. Through a corner, its body roll isn't as bad as actual classic cars, but it's nowhere near the refinement and sophistication of modern luxury. While it's amazingly comfortable to drive, the Challenger might not be the best choice for canyon carving.