2021 Dodge Charger: engine and transmission complaints
HIGH COMPLAINT SIGNAL
47%
8 of 17 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
47% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2021 Dodge Charger are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 59% of the 1,230 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 17 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 24%).
The percentage is each model year's drivetrain complaint share. No elevated signal describes the model year, not any one car; a well-kept example of a flagged model can still be the right buy, and any of these still needs an inspection.
What owners reported
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM09/05/2026
The Chapman Dodge service department has diagnosed the vehicle with an active, leaking fuel pump assembly and provided a repair estimate of 1,600.00. Stellantis Corporate has offered a "goodwill" gesture of only 200.00, leaving me with a 1,400.00 out-of-pocket bill. I have formally rejected this baseline offer.An activ…
POWER TRAIN10/31/2024
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with the “Service Transmission” message displayed. The contact stated that the continue to drive and do not shift message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or r…
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE08/05/2024
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the sixth gear was inoperable. The independent mechanic called an unknown local dealer, who informed…
Three of 8 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on this model year (2)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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 …
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2021 Dodge Charger
Ask the seller whether the transmission has ever been repaired or replaced, and whether the car has shown shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed.
Drive it from a cold start and long enough to warm up. Many transmission faults hide once the car is warm.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose, and tell them to focus on the transmission.
2 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A transmission already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.
