2013 Dodge Charger: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2013 Dodge Charger
On the 2013 Dodge Charger, the failure owners report most often is alternator or charging system failure, and the reports cluster around 55,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other body or interior problem, reported by a median of 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 72 out of 100, high risk for a 2013.
High risk for a 2013 — 133rd riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. 492 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 55 named failure modes on the 2013 Dodge Charger, and the three most-reported carry 42% of everything filed.
Alternator or charging system failure leads with 116 reports, about 1.1 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 41k to 70,000 miles.
Other electrical problem follows with 65 reports, usually reported between 20k to 82,500 miles. 3 of those reports mention a fire.
Other powertrain problem follows with 26 reports, usually reported between 27k to 110,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (195), engine (54) and transmission (35).
The mileage the reports cluster at
355 of the reports on the 2013 Dodge Charger came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 58,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 43% by 50,000 miles, 81% by 100,000 miles and 95% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 2 filed above the top of the chart.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 15% of the dated reports.
30% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.
In the order they tend to show up: other body or interior problem around 20k, seat belt or retractor failure around 34k, other powertrain problem around 50k and other speed control problem around 55k.
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 55. 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 2 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
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 28 mention a crash, 24 a fire and 9 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 4.53, 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: alternator or charging system failure at $450–$1,600, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
22% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 116 | 87 | 41k | 56k | 70k | 1.1 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 65 | 42 | 20k | 57k | 84k | 0.6 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 26 | 21 | 27k | 50k | 110k | 0.3 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 25 | 22 | 20k | 60k | 90k | 0.2 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 15 | 11 | 52k | 66k | 78k | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 15 | 14 | 24k | 55k | 83k | 0.1 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 11 | 7 | — | 69k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 11 | 9 | 17k | 20k | 58k | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 9 | 8 | 31k | 34k | 65k | 0.1 | $200–$900 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 8 | 6 | — | 110k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 8 | 1 | — | 68k | — | 0.1 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 7 | 7 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 7 | 4 | — | 21k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 7 | 7 | — | 45k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 7 | 6 | — | 97k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 6 | 3 | — | 168k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 6 | 3 | — | 48k | — | 0.1 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 6 | 3 | — | 13 | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 6 | 6 | — | 30k | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 6 | 3 | — | 2k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 5 | 5 | — | 81k | — | 0.0 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Power steering pump or fluid leak | steering | 5 | 4 | — | 48k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 4 | 4 | — | 22k | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 4 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 0.0 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 4 | 1 | — | 30k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 4 | 4 | — | 110k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 4 | 2 | — | 56k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 3 | 1 | — | 17k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Water pump failure | cooling | 3 | 3 | — | 58k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,200 | High |
| Thermostat failure | cooling | 3 | 3 | — | 77k | — | 0.0 | $250–$900 | Moderate |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 3 | 2 | — | 112k | — | 0.0 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 3 | 2 | — | 43k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 3 | 2 | — | 116k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Air conditioning failure | hvac | 3 | 3 | — | 58k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 3 | 2 | — | 3k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 3 | 3 | — | 77k | — | 0.0 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 1 | — | 12k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Fuel leak or fuel odor | fuel | 2 | 2 | — | 39k | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 34k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 2 | 1 | — | 92k | — | 0.0 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Alignment fault and uneven tire wear | suspension | 2 | 2 | — | 120k | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 130k | — | 0.0 | $1,800–$7,000 | High |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 1 | — | 90k | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 40k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Shifter, linkage or stuck-in-park failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,400 | High |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 62k | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 33k | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 45 | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Tire pressure monitor failure | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 108k | — | 0.0 | $80–$600 | Low |
| Unclassified problem | other | 39 | 27 | 23k | 51k | 84k | 0.4 | — | 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 2013 Dodge Charger draws about 4.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 85th percentile of complaint rates among 2013 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 101,411 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2013 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.
Alternator or charging system failure
My 2013 dodge charger had it's alternator fail at around 12000 miles back in may of 2014. I see that chrysler has now recalled the car (NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000) for the same issue. However, I have not been able to get a straight answer from them in regards to whether or not the dealer fixed the issue when they replaced the alternator in may 2014 or whether it is still a lingering issue. I also failed to get a response as to whether or not it is safe to drive the vehicle if the issue is still lingering. I tried communicating with them electronically through their website and their 1800 recall number. The 1800 recall number was a waste of time because the lady answering the phone only repeated back information that was part of the public release of the recall. The lady answering the phone also tried to make it seem like its unknown whether or not my vehicle is even part of the recall. That seems strange considering the fact that most alternators do not fail at 12000 miles and my charger matches the description of vehicles that could be affected by the recall. Given the possible consequences that could occur, I wanted some…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge charger. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel would intermittently flicker off and on. The failure progressed and the vehicle would stall while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken for diagnostic testing at an independent repair facility. The technician stated that the battery was not properly receiving a charge and the alternator would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not affected by NHTSA campaign number: 14v634000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Other electrical problem
Vehicle main computer executed just about every warning code after start up. This included a warning not to drive vehicle. This is the second episode of this nature with this vehicle, the first occurring on the first day of ownership. The vehicle has been in the dealership service department 13 of the first 60 days of ownership. The dealer "disconnected the negative battery terminal" and erased trouble codes on advisement from the manufacturer. The manufacturer has deemed this an adequate repair procedure and wants to release the vehicle back to us. We feel that this is not an adequate repair process and due to the nature and scope of the computer controls and subsequent error reporting by the computer, that driving this vehicle may be dangerous. When these concerns were brought forth to chrysler llc customer service department, I asked the agent if she (and chrysler llc) were satisfied with assuming any subsequent liabilities that may arise from operating this vehicle in its current condition, she said they do. We are now being forced to return our rental loaner car and drive this vehicle which may not in fact be safe or…
Wife complained of trunk opening by itself. Car has keyless passive entry system and I suspected she was accidentally hitting the trunk release button. Problem became progressively worse and on two occasions she had to stop on the side of busy highways to close the trunk putting her at a substantial risk of injury or death. A brief online search shows an historical problem involving this complaint. At first the problem was humorous but after her having to stop on the lie the humor quickly faded and concern arose. The car is at the dealer for a fix and I expressed my concern and was blown off. This may not be the typical safety problem associated with potential injurious events but an unforeseen or unexpected reaction to this situation could lead to unintended accidents. *tr
Other powertrain problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge charger. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the contact activated the remote starting system. The vehicle then accelerated and crashed into a pole. There were no injuries. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The manufacturer stated that an investigator would contact him but the contact had not heard from the investigator. The failure mileage was 3,500. Updated 09/24/2013 *js
When stopping the vehicle, the vehicle lurches badly right before it stops. The dealer says there is not a fix until the end of may/early june. We were told to pick up the car and continue to drive it until somebody notifies us. It is very alarming every time you go to stop. *tr
Recalls on the 2013 model year
NHTSA has issued 8 recall campaigns covering the 2013 Dodge Charger, affecting an estimated 352,587 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, electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator and power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/t. 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
1,413,222 vehicles 2019-01-15- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
328,177 vehicles 2018-01-09- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota…
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
442,214 vehicles 2017-07-10- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- Consequence
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
811,290 vehicles 2016-04-25- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
- Consequence
- Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27. Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
STRUCTURE
441,578 vehicles 2016-01-28- Defect
- FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
- Consequence
- A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
284,095 vehicles 2015-07-27- Defect
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
- Consequence
- Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
435,081 vehicles 2014-10-08- Defect
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
- Consequence
- If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4,194 vehicles 2013-12-06- Defect
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
- Consequence
- The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
- Remedy
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
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 2013 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
Where 2013 sits in the model line
High risk for a 2013 — 133rd riskiest of the 284 2013 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 2013 itself at 72.
If the model year is negotiable, 2021, 2017, 2018, 2008 and 2022 score lower than 2013 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 2011–2018 generation specifically, 2017 is the strongest year at 65 and 2014 the weakest at 74.
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 2011-2018 generation, 2017 Dodge Charger scores best at 65 and 2014 Dodge Charger worst at 74.
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 body or interior problem from about 17k, other engine problem from about 20k, other electrical problem from about 20k and other speed control problem from about 24k.
On a 2013 Dodge Charger with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other body or interior 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.
Where these figures stop being useful
492 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 492 reports, 355 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 72% 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 2013 Dodge Charger?
The most-reported failures are alternator or charging system failure (116 reports, median 55,000 miles), other electrical problem (65 reports, median 57,500 miles) and other powertrain problem (26 reports, median 50,000 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 2013 Dodge Charger problems start?
Other body or interior problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 20,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 15,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 58,000 miles.
Is the 2013 Dodge Charger reliable?
It scores 72 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 133rd riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2013 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 2011–2018 generation, 2017 scores best at 65 out of 100 and 2014 worst at 74. 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