Dodge Challenger: common problems, service schedule and fuel economy
What typically goes wrong on the Dodge Challenger, at what mileage, and what keeping it right involves — from Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base, where every fault is checked by a human before publication.
- Years
- 2008–2023
- Generations
- 1
- Engines
- 4
- Verified faults
- 5
LC/LA (3rd gen), 2008-2023 · 2008–2023
3.6 Pentastar V6 · 305 hp · 5.7 HEMI V8 (R/T) · 375 hp · 6.2 Supercharged HEMI V8 (SRT Hellcat) · 707 hp · 6.4 HEMI V8 (Scat Pack / 392) · 485 hp
Known problems
- Critical usually from 25,000 mi (40,000 km)
TIPM / electrical faults (early cars)
Symptoms: intermittent no-start or stalling, the fuel pump running with the key off, dead battery, or the wireless ignition node not recognising the key
What to do: Early cars can suffer Totally Integrated Power Module and ignition-node faults that cause stalling or a no-start. Check the VIN against the fuel-pump-relay and ignition recalls; for repeat dead batteries have the parasitic draw diagnosed rather than swapping parts blindly.
- Worth watching usually from 60,000 mi (96,000 km)
HEMI valvetrain 'tick' — lifter and camshaft wear
Symptoms: a metallic ticking from the top of the V8, often first heard on the deactivating (MDS) cylinders, that can turn into a misfire, rough running and a flashing check-engine light
What to do: On the 5.7/6.4 the MDS cylinder-deactivation lifters can seize and grind the camshaft lobe, sending metal through the engine. Use clean oil on the correct grade, don't ignore a new tick, and have the lifters and cam inspected early — catching it before the cam is wiped saves a much bigger bill.
- Worth watching usually from 68,000 mi (110,000 km)
3.6 Pentastar rocker-arm and early cylinder-head faults
Symptoms: a top-end tick from a worn roller-rocker bearing, or on very early builds a cylinder-2 misfire and tick from left-head valve-seat erosion
What to do: Early (2011-2013) Pentastars had a left-cylinder-head problem fixed by a factory head redesign; later engines can still develop a rocker-arm tick. Have a persistent top-end tick assessed before it damages the camshaft.
- Worth watching usually from 75,000 mi (120,000 km)
HEMI broken exhaust manifold bolts
Symptoms: a ticking or puffing exhaust leak that is loudest on a cold start and eases as the engine warms up
What to do: The HEMI's exhaust-manifold bolts corrode and snap over time, letting the manifold leak. It is not urgent but grows worse; have the broken bolts extracted and replaced (with upgraded hardware and gaskets) when convenient.
- Worth watching usually from 99,000 mi (160,000 km)
3.6 Pentastar oil filter housing / oil cooler leak
Symptoms: oil weeping into the valley at the top of the block and down onto the transmission bellhousing, sometimes mixed with coolant, with slow drips growing into streaks
What to do: The original plastic oil-filter-housing and cooler assembly warps and cracks with heat. If you see oil or coolant seeping from the top-rear of the engine, have the housing replaced (upgraded aluminium units exist) before it drips onto the exhaust or loses coolant.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter change | every 7,000 mi (12,000 km) or 12 months | follow the oil-life reminder; halve the interval for short trips, heavy city use or track/spirited driving |
| Cabin air filter | every 12,000 mi (20,000 km) | — |
| Spark plugs | every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) | the 5.7/6.4/6.2 HEMI use two plugs per cylinder (16 total) and want more frequent changes; the Pentastar V6's iridium plugs last far longer (~160,000 km) |
| Engine air filter | every 37,000 mi (60,000 km) | — |
| Automatic transmission fluid (8-speed 845RE) important | every 60,000 mi (96,000 km) | the ZF-based 8-speed is not a true lifetime fill; use only the approved ATF. The 6-speed manual on V8 cars wants its gear oil serviced too |
| Brake fluid important | every 24 months | — |
| Timing chain (no scheduled replacement) | — | both the Pentastar V6 and the HEMI V8 are chain-driven; inspect only if a persistent rattle appears |
Manufacturer-declared fuel economy
| Engine | City | Highway | Combined | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 Pentastar V6 LC/LA (3rd gen), 2008-2023 · 2008–2023 | 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) | 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 5.7 HEMI V8 (R/T) LC/LA (3rd gen), 2008-2023 · 2008–2023 | 15 mpg (15.2 L/100 km) | 25 mpg (9.6 L/100 km) | 19 mpg (12.7 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 6.2 Supercharged HEMI V8 (SRT Hellcat) LC/LA (3rd gen), 2008-2023 · 2008–2023 | 13 mpg (18.1 L/100 km) | 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | 16 mpg (14.7 L/100 km) | EPA |
| 6.4 HEMI V8 (Scat Pack / 392) LC/LA (3rd gen), 2008-2023 · 2008–2023 | 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) | 23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km) | 17 mpg (13.8 L/100 km) | EPA |
Lab-cycle figures, each shown with the cycle it was measured under — the same car under WLTP, NEDC, EPA or JC08 can differ by up to 20%. Real-world consumption typically runs 15–30% above the declared number, and that gap is normal, not a fault.
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Frequently asked
What are the most common Dodge Challenger problems?
The faults reported most often are: TIPM / electrical faults (early cars); HEMI valvetrain 'tick' — lifter and camshaft wear; 3.6 Pentastar rocker-arm and early cylinder-head faults. Symptoms, the mileage each appears at and what to do about it are all above.
How often does the Dodge Challenger need servicing?
Engine oil & filter change — every 7,000 mi (12,000 km) or 12 months. The full published schedule is above; your car's own service book always takes precedence.
What is the real fuel consumption of the Dodge Challenger?
The manufacturer declares 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) combined for the 3.6 Pentastar V6 under the EPA cycle. In real use expect 15–30% more — that gap is normal.
Where does this data come from?
Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base — the same verified facts the app's AI assistant answers from. Every fault is written up from public sources and then checked by a human before it is published; nothing here is generated on the fly.