Used Dodge Charger Buyer's Guide (2015–2023)
Check the side curtain air bag recall on 2018 to 2021 cars, the 2015 do not drive air bag recall, cruise control, transmission codes and oil records.
Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The Charger sold from 2015 to 2023 is the facelifted LD design, a rear drive four door sedan with V6 and Hemi V8 engines and an eight-speed automatic. All wheel drive was offered with the V6. The SRT and Hellcat models use the same body with much more power, so check which engine you are buying. This guide covers the civilian cars, not police Pursuit models.
The most important checks are air bags. Certain 2018 to 2021 Chargers are in recall 24V-198 for side curtain air bag inflators that may rupture, and owners waited for parts into 2026. Certain 2015 Chargers are in recall 19V-018 for a passenger air bag inflator that could explode, and owners are told not to drive the car until it is fixed.
Beyond air bags, there is a cruise control recall on 2015 to 2018 cars, a front driveshaft recall on early all wheel drive cars, and fuel and oil leak recalls on early SRT and Hellcat models. Later cars have a transmission clutch bulletin and a shifter recall. On these cars, the records and the road test matter as much as the recall check.
- 3.6L Pentastar V6
- 5.7L Hemi V8 (R/T)
- 6.4L Hemi V8 (392, Scat Pack and SRT 392)
- 6.2L supercharged Hemi V8 (SRT Hellcat)
LD, facelifted for 2015 (seventh generation), sold as model years 2015–2023.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L V6 | 2015–2023 | 8-speed automatic | Rear or all wheel drive. 2019 to 2021 cars fall under the oil records rule in bulletin D-25-17. |
| 5.7L Hemi V8 | 2015–2023 | 8-speed automatic | Rear drive. Listen for ticking and check misfire codes. |
| 6.4L Hemi V8 | 2015–2023 | 8-speed automatic | Scat Pack and SRT 392. Check tires, brakes and records. |
| 6.2L supercharged V8 | 2015–2023 | 8-speed automatic | SRT Hellcat. Check fuel rail recall 15V-114 on 2015 and oil cooler hose recall 17V-496 on 2017. |
- SE and SXT V6 trims. SXT could be ordered with all wheel drive.
- GT V6 trim with a sportier look, offered with all wheel drive.
- R/T 5.7L Hemi V8.
- Scat Pack and SRT 392 6.4L Hemi V8 performance trims.
- SRT Hellcat and Hellcat Redeye 6.2L supercharged V8, the fastest versions.
- Widebody and Daytona editions Wider bodywork or special edition packages on performance trims.
- 2023 2 recalls in NHTSA data, both small, for the parking brake and a rear seat latch, and 26 NHTSA owner complaints. Not in the side curtain air bag recall. It is the last year and newer, so it has had less time to collect complaints. Check transmission bulletin 21-009-25.
- 2022 3 recalls in NHTSA data, two for tire pressure sensors and one for the shifter, and 16 NHTSA owner complaints, the fewest of any year. Not in the side curtain air bag recall. Make sure shifter recall 22V-866 was done.
- 2015 First year of the facelift. 7 civilian recalls in NHTSA data, the most of any year, including the do not drive passenger air bag recall 19V-018, cruise control, the all wheel drive driveshaft and the SRT fuel leak. 136 NHTSA owner complaints.
- 2016 182 NHTSA owner complaints, the most of any year, 53 of them filed under structure, many about loose interior door panels. Also in the cruise control and all wheel drive driveshaft recalls.
- 2018 to 2019 In the side curtain air bag recall 24V-198, where the fix came later for these years, plus cruise control and engine computer recalls on 2018 and a wheel and brake recall on 2019. 2019 has 120 NHTSA owner complaints, 49 of them about air bags.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 24V-198 covers certain 2018 to 2021 Chargers built from July 5, 2018 to May 20, 2021. The side curtain air bag inflators may rupture and throw sharp metal pieces at the people inside. Dealers replace both side curtain air bags, free. In March 2025 Dodge's dealer notice said the fix was ready for 2020 and 2021 cars but not yet for 2018 and 2019 cars. The February 2026 notice says it is now ready for all 2018 to 2021 cars. Many NHTSA owner complaints for 2019 to 2021 describe waiting for parts.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall first, check that the air bag light goes out after start up, and look at the headliner and pillar trim for signs of a rushed repair.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 24V-198 · NHTSA recall report 24V-198 (FCA Part 573) · FCA dealer notice for 24V-198, March 2025 (on NHTSA) · FCA dealer notice for 24V-198, February 2026 (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Dodge Charger · NHTSA owner complaints, 2020 Dodge Charger
NHTSA lists certain 2015 Chargers under recall 19V-018. In a crash, the passenger frontal air bag inflator could explode and throw metal pieces. Owners are told not to drive the car until it is repaired. Dealers replace the inflator, free. Dodge's bulletin 10-001-16 confirms that 2015 Chargers were built with this type of non-desiccated passenger air bag.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for this recall and do not road test a 2015 that still has it open. We tell you to have a dealer fix it before you buy.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-018 · FCA bulletin 10-001-16, non-desiccated passenger air bag (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 18V-332 covers certain 2015 to 2018 Chargers and many other FCA models. If there is a short in the wiring, the cruise control may not turn off with the brake pedal or the switch, and the car could keep its speed or speed up. Owners were told not to use cruise control until the fix is done. Dealers update the engine computer software, free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall and test that cruise control turns off with both the brake pedal and the switch on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-332
Dodge bulletin 21-009-25 covers some 2020 to 2023 Chargers with the 850RE eight-speed automatic. With a check engine light and certain codes, the transmission may slip when shifting, not go into reverse, or stay in third gear or lower. The fix is a new D clutch. NHTSA recall 22V-866 covers certain 2022 Chargers whose shifter may not stay in Drive, which can cause a sudden loss of drive power. Dealers replace it, free. Recall 18V-280 covers certain 2018 Chargers built with the wrong park lock rod. Dealers fit the correct one, free.
WE CHECK We scan the transmission for stored codes, road test through every gear and into reverse, check that it holds in Park on a slope, and check the VIN for open recalls.
SOURCE FCA bulletin 21-009-25, 850RE D clutch repair (on NHTSA) · NHTSA recall 22V-866 · NHTSA recall 18V-280
An FCA STAR case for 2015 and 2016 Chargers says some engines may show worn camshaft lobes or failed lifter rollers, with engine noise, rough idle, low power or misfire. If metal debris is found in the oil control valve screens, the engine must be replaced. For 2019 to 2021 Chargers with the 3.6L V6, Dodge warranty bulletin D-25-17 makes dealers send the last three oil change records, or photos showing no sludge, before a warranty camshaft or rocker arm replacement is approved.
WE CHECK We listen for ticking or knocking at idle and under load, scan for misfire codes, check the oil level and condition, and read the oil change records. Missing records can cost you warranty help later.
SOURCE FCA STAR case S1709000010, camshaft and lifter wear (on NHTSA) · FCA warranty bulletin D-25-17, 3.6L camshaft and rocker arm claims (on NHTSA) · FCA warranty bulletin D-25-17 Rev. A (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 17V-097 covers certain 2015 to 2017 all wheel drive Chargers. The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and let the driveshaft come off, causing a loss of drive power. Dealers replace all eight bolts, free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall, look at the front driveshaft from underneath, and listen for clunks or vibration on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 17V-097
NHTSA recall 15V-114 covers certain 2015 Charger SRT models with the 6.2L supercharged engine built from September 18, 2014 to February 5, 2015. The fuel rail crossover hose may leak fuel and raise the risk of a fire. Recall 17V-496 covers certain 2017 Chargers with Hellcat engines whose engine oil cooler hoses may fail, spraying oil that can hit the windshield or a hot surface. Dealers replace the parts for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls and look for fuel and oil wetness around the fuel rail, oil cooler lines and supercharger.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 15V-114 · NHTSA recall 17V-496
NHTSA recall 18V-524 covers certain 2018 Chargers and many other FCA models. A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module may fail, which can cause a stall or a no start. Dealers replace the module, free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall, start the car several times, and note any stalling on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-524
Many NHTSA owner complaints for 2016 to 2018 Chargers describe interior door panels pulling away from the door, and touchscreens that bubble, peel or press buttons by themselves. In our count of NHTSA complaints on 2026-10-07, 49 of the 182 complaints for 2016 mention the door panels. FCA's STAR case S2108000130 tells dealers to replace the radio when the touch glass itself bubbles or separates on 2017 to 2021 models, but not for a peeling screen protector.
WE CHECK We check every interior door panel for gaps and warping, and test the touchscreen for bubbles, dead spots and phantom touches.
SOURCE NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Dodge Charger · NHTSA owner complaints, 2017 Dodge Charger · NHTSA owner complaints, 2018 Dodge Charger · FCA STAR case S2108000130, radio display bubbles (on NHTSA)
Several later recalls are quick fixes. 19V-758 covers certain 2019 Chargers with a front wheel and brake mix that can let the tire rub the steering knuckle. 21V-516 covers certain 2020 and 2021 Chargers whose windshield may not be bonded right. 22V-504 and 22V-808 cover certain 2022 Chargers with tire pressure sensor batteries that may die early. 24V-112 covers certain 2023 Chargers with a parking brake that may be adjusted wrong and let the car roll. 24V-574 covers certain 2023 Chargers whose left rear seat back may not lock. All are free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for every open recall, look at the front tires for rub marks, check the tire pressure light, and test the parking brake and rear seat latch.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-758 · NHTSA recall 21V-516 · NHTSA recall 22V-504 · NHTSA recall 22V-808 · NHTSA recall 24V-112 · NHTSA recall 24V-574
- Check the VIN for open recalls, starting with the air bag recalls.
- Confirm the engine and trim, and that the car is not an ex police car.
- Scan the engine, transmission and air bag systems for stored codes.
- Listen for ticking or knocking from the engine at idle and under load.
- Road test every gear and reverse, and test that cruise control shuts off.
- Look for fuel and oil leaks, and under the car at the driveshaft on all wheel drive cars.
- Check the interior door panels and the touchscreen.
- Look for signs of hard use: tire wear, brake condition and aftermarket tuning.
- Proof of side curtain air bag recall 24V-198 on 2018 to 2021 cars, or 19V-018 on a 2015.
- Cruise control software recall 18V-332 on 2015 to 2018 cars.
- Regular oil changes, with receipts. Dodge asks for the last three oil change records on some 3.6L camshaft claims.
- Any transmission work, D clutch repair or software updates, and shifter recall 22V-866 on a 2022.
- Front driveshaft bolt recall 17V-097 on 2015 to 2017 all wheel drive cars.
- Tire, brake and alignment records, especially on Scat Pack, SRT and Hellcat cars.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Dodge Charger you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
What is the Dodge Charger air bag recall?
Is it safe to drive a 2015 Charger with an open air bag recall?
Does the Charger have transmission problems?
What is the Charger cruise control recall?
Why do Charger door panels come loose?
Do I need oil change records for a Charger?
Which used Charger years are best?
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