2008 Dodge Charger: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2008 Dodge Charger
On the 2008 Dodge Charger, the failure owners report most often is other electrical problem, and the reports cluster around 99,000 miles. The earliest to appear is steering column or shaft failure, reported by a median of 45,000 miles. Overall it scores 68 out of 100, high risk for a 2008.
High risk for a 2008 — 194th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. 835 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 52 named failure modes on the 2008 Dodge Charger, and the three most-reported carry 46% of everything filed.
Other electrical problem leads with 214 reports, about 3.3 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 73k to 125,000 miles.
No-start or intermittent start failure follows with 102 reports, usually reported between 75k to 127,500 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure follows with 64 reports, usually reported between 74k to 125,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (303), engine (170) and airbag (59).
When these failures get reported
534 of the reports on the 2008 Dodge Charger came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 91,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 20% by 50,000 miles, 57% by 100,000 miles and 87% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 8 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 70,000 and 80,000 miles, which alone holds 10% of the dated reports.
13% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: steering column or shaft failure around 47k, other body or interior problem around 69k, other powertrain problem around 75k and other engine problem around 81k.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 52. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 8 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 20 mention a crash, 32 a fire and 13 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.90, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, no-start or intermittent start failure at $200–$1,800, ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure at $250–$1,500 and airbag inflator rupture at $0–$0. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
29% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 214 | 111 | 73k | 99k | 125k | 3.3 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 102 | 83 | 75k | 91k | 127k | 1.6 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 64 | 47 | 74k | 92k | 124k | 1.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 53 | 7 | — | 119k | — | 0.8 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Other engine problem | engine | 40 | 29 | 68k | 81k | 125k | 0.6 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 39 | 33 | 74k | 91k | 133k | 0.6 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 23 | 17 | 39k | 75k | 100k | 0.4 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 17 | 15 | 93k | 102k | 120k | 0.3 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other steering problem | steering | 17 | 15 | 60k | 84k | 137k | 0.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 12 | 10 | 43k | 47k | 102k | 0.2 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 11 | 9 | 18k | 84k | 139k | 0.2 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 10 | 4 | — | 94k | — | 0.2 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 10 | 6 | — | 110k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 10 | 8 | 32k | 69k | 92k | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 8 | 8 | 116k | 123k | 132k | 0.1 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 7 | 7 | — | 128k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 7 | 7 | — | 38k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 7 | 7 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 7 | 7 | — | 120k | — | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Overheating | cooling | 6 | 5 | — | 80k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 6 | 6 | — | 70k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 5 | 5 | — | 95k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 5 | 4 | — | 80k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 4 | 3 | — | 177k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 4 | 4 | — | 38k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiper or washer failure | glass | 4 | 3 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $120–$800 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 4 | 3 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 4 | 3 | — | 43k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 3 | 3 | — | 110k | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Oil leak | engine | 3 | 1 | — | 171k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,200 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 3 | 3 | — | 20k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Brake line, hose or caliper failure | brakes | 3 | 3 | — | 15k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,600 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 3 | 3 | — | 154k | — | 0.0 | $200–$900 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 3 | — | 61k | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Electrical fire or melted wiring | electrical | 2 | 1 | — | 145k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$9,000 | Critical |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 2 | 2 | — | 40k | — | 0.0 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 2 | 2 | — | 26k | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Fuel gauge or level sensor failure | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 109k | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,200 | Moderate |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 2 | 2 | — | 92k | — | 0.0 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 2 | 2 | — | 51k | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 24k | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 61k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Engine sensor failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 160k | — | 0.0 | $180–$900 | Moderate |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 50k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Tire blowout or tread separation | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | Critical |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 1 | — | 36k | — | 0.0 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Catalytic converter failure | emissions | 1 | 1 | — | 165k | — | 0.0 | $900–$3,500 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 88 | 35 | 71k | 90k | 127k | 1.4 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2008 Dodge Charger draws about 13 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 90th percentile of complaint rates among 2008 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 64,559 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2008 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other electrical problem
After four attempts my 2008 dodge charger is still having complete electrical failure and will go back in the shop on tuesday while driving home at night the lights go out you loose complete electrical failure, to fix the problem come to a safe stop if you can, turn off the car and then turn the car back on.. *tr
I purchased a 2008 dodge charger in the first month it was having electrical issues were I would loose power to the dash board and the lights then the car would just shut off. I took it in for repair and they replaced the relay. The car continued to have these issues not frequently enough were the dealership would let me bring it in. 12 months go buy and I bring it in to the dealership anyway and they said they could not regenerate the problem. 2 months later the car caught on fire from the trunk and burned to the ground. The fire marshall did not do a forensic investigation but said it obviously looks to have started with the battery and I agreed with the amount of electrical problems I had with this car. There was no after-market anything on this car it was all stock. Dodge will not help or release any info to me in regards to the problem. They wont even talk to me. 3 months later I moved to arizona and met a person who had the same problem. *tr
No-start or intermittent start failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed and the vehicle would not start. The key also could not be turned once inserted into the ignition switch. The contact was able to start the vehicle after playing around with the ignition switch for approximately thirty minutes. In addition, the contact stated that he had to leave the engine running at times in fear not being able to restart the vehicle after it was shut off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the dealer advised that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The dealer did not advise of the cause of the ignition switch failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 41,000.
The car would not start again. Same thing kept happening again!!! It sounded like a tape was loading in a tape deck. I had it towed to the dealership once again. I was told the tipm needed to be replaced. I had it towed to another dealer, the receiver was replaced but the car would not stay crunk. So they had to replace the tipm in it. I could not get out of it, but now I am financially strapped for cash, because I lost my job at the end of may. I am unable to get my car back because the dealership is telling me that they will not release my car until it's paid in full. I feel like I should not have to because there have been other complaints with chargers and electrical issues. This should have been a recall issue. *tr
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact stated that when shifting into park, the key fob would abnormally slide out of the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they advised the contact that the wireless mode and key fob would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact discovered a recall for the 2010 models under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v200000 (electrical system:ignition:module) but the 2008 models were not included in the recall. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge charger. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal seized to the floorboard and caused vehicle speed to increase to 65 MPH. The contact shifted into neutral to slow the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the key had to be removed and placed back into the ignition several times to get the engine started. The contact also mentioned that the steering failed and caused the contact to crash into a vehicle while he attempted to park. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the ignition switch, tumbler, accelerator box, and the bushings had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,031 and the current mileage was 85,300.
Recalls on the 2008 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Dodge Charger, affecting an estimated 184,913 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module, air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module, electrical system:ignition and power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column . Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
4,648,270 vehicles 2016-05-24- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider…
- Consequence
- These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
4,077,169 vehicles 2015-05-26- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
292,798 vehicles 2014-09-17- Defect
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two…
- Consequence
- If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
20,283 vehicles 2008-11-06- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 20,283 my 2006-2009 charger and magnum vehicles built with the police package and equipped with a column shifter. The gearshift cable may become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket and cause an incorrect transmission gearshift position display.
- Consequence
- This could allow the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction startling the driver, and cause a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a redundant locking mechanism to the gearshift cable at the mounting bracket to ensure proper retention and shift linkage function. The recall began on november 10, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
5,509 vehicles 2008-07-02- Defect
- Chrysler is recalling 5,509 my 2008 300, dodge magnum, and charger vehicles. The torque retention crimp feature was missed during the manufacture of one lot of rear axle hub nuts. This could cause the nuts to loosen and allow the halfshaft to disengage from the wheel hub.
- Consequence
- This could cause the vehicle to lose power and result in a crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle hub nuts. The recall began on july 21, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2008 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Better and worse years of the same car
High risk for a 2008 — 194th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 18 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2021 comes out best at 61 and 2023 worst at 77, with 2008 itself at 68.
If the model year is negotiable, 2021 scores lower than 2008 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2006–2010 generation specifically, 2008 is the strongest year at 68 and 2007 the weakest at 72.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2006-2010 generation, 2008 Dodge Charger scores best at 68 and 2007 Dodge Charger worst at 72.
What the numbers say to check
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other brake problem from about 18k, other body or interior problem from about 32k, other powertrain problem from about 39k and steering column or shaft failure from about 43k.
On a 2008 Dodge Charger with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other brake problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.
The limits of complaint data
835 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 835 reports, 534 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 64% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Charger?
The most-reported failures are other electrical problem (214 reports, median 99,000 miles), no-start or intermittent start failure (102 reports, median 90,000 miles) and ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure (64 reports, median 92,500 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Charger problems start?
Steering column or shaft failure is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 45,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 45,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 91,000 miles.
Is the 2008 Dodge Charger reliable?
It scores 68 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 194th riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2008 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Dodge Charger is best?
Within the 2006–2010 generation, 2008 scores best at 68 out of 100 and 2007 worst at 72. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed