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Dodge Challenger VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Dodge Challenger you are looking at. Then check its model year against 33 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefix2C32B3

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Dodge Challenger

About the Dodge Challenger

Dodge sold the Challenger in the US for model years 2008–2023. Across those years NHTSA lists 33 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,694 owner complaints. The 2010 has the most complaints of any model year (299). EPA rates it at 13–23 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2008–2023
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns33
Owner complaints1,694 at NHTSA
Dodge Challenger photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Dodge Challenger at a glance

One generation in the data, 2008–2023: 33 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,694 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Gen 3
2008–2023Midsize Cars
Dodge Challenger (2008–2023)

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2008201520202023
2008–2023

Dodge Challenger

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg13–23
NHTSA recalls33

Engines (EPA)

  • 6.1 L 8-cyl · 2008–2010
  • 3.5 L 6-cyl · 2009–2010
  • 5.7 L 8-cyl · 2009–2023
  • 3.6 L 6-cyl · 2011–2023
  • 6.4 L 8-cyl · 2011–2023
  • 6.2 L 8-cyl (supercharged) · 2015–2023

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • automatic (2008–2023), manual (2009–2023)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (624)Engine and cooling (327)Air bags (281)10 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 1,694 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 32C3CDYAG?CH······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2012 Dodge Challenger Base, built in Brampton, Ontario
Check a Challenger VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Challenger model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 33 campaigns on file for Challenger model years 2008–2023, and the 2009 and 2010 show up in the most (7 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2010
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Dodge Challenger owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2010 and 2012 hold 552 of the 1,694 complaints, or 33%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,694NHTSA complaints, 2008–2023
110mention a crash
54mention a fire
99injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 1,694 complaints · most for the 2010 (299)

Top complaint areas · Gen 3

Mentions in 1,694 complaints, 2008–2023.

Electrical system624
Engine and cooling327
Air bags281
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)188
Steering147
Brakes99
Crashes 110Fires 54Injuries 99

2008–2023

NHTSA data summary

The 2010 is the outlier. On its own it has 299 of the ’s 1,694 complaints (18%), more than any other Challenger model year, and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (624 mentions), then engine and cooling (327).

What Challenger owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2008–2023 (3rd generation)

Most complaints involve the early years. NHTSA owners of the 2012 often describe dead batteries and door windows that stop dropping or closing properly, and CarComplaints ranks an alternator that went out first for 2012, followed by power steering pump failure and all dash lights going out. For 2010 it lists premature timing chain failure, transmission failure and stalling while turning. Recalls cover alternators on 2011–2014 models that may suddenly fail and driver air bags on 2008–2010 models that may rupture after moisture gets in. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the alternator recall on 2011–2014 models and the driver air bag recalls on early models.
  • Ask for alternator, battery and timing chain repair records.
  • On the drive, open and close each door to check that the windows drop and seal, watch for a battery or charging warning and listen for a rattle from the engine at startup.
Sources (4) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2012 Dodge Challenger
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2012 Dodge Challenger problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2010 Dodge Challenger
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2010 Dodge Challenger problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Challenger complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Challenger version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,694complaints, 2008–2023
110mention a crash
54mention a fire
99injuries reported
Most complaints: 2010 (299), 2012 (253), 2011 (193)
299’10193’11253’12’15’20

2010 · 299 complaints

Crashes 10 · fires 4 · injuries 13

Air bags75
Engine75
Electrical system68
Power train36
Steering33

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Challenger CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 127 Challenger versions for model years 2008–2023. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 389 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 32008–2023

13–23 mpg · CO₂ 389–708 g/mi

2023
23combined MPG
389CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,900EPA yearly fuel cost
5/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2023: Challenger · Auto 8-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L — 23 MPG · 389 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
3504505506507502010201520202008 · Gas: 5922009 · Gas: 4442010 · Gas: 4442011 · Gas: 4232012 · Gas: 4232013 · Gas: 4262014 · Gas: 4222015 · Gas: 3922016 · Gas: 3922017 · Gas: 3892018 · Gas: 3892019 · Gas: 3892020 · Gas: 3892021 · Gas: 3892022 · Gas: 3892023 · Gas: 389
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Challenger vs Ford Mustang vs Chevrolet Camaro

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2008–2023. NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for the Challenger, against 43 for the Ford Mustang and 17 for the Chevrolet Camaro. Pick a range to compare.

Dodge Challenger

Model years 2008–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
33
NHTSA owner complaints
1,694
EPA combined mpg
13–23
Engines (EPA)
6-cyl 3.5, 3.6 L · 8-cyl 5.7–6.4 L
Also listed
supercharged
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 624
  2. Engine and cooling 327
  3. Air bags 281

Ford Mustang

Model years 2008–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
43
NHTSA owner complaints
4,016
EPA combined mpg
14–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.3 L · 6-cyl 3.7, 4.0 L · 8-cyl 4.6–5.8 L
Also listed
supercharged, turbo
Drive (EPA)
RWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 1,290
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 719
  3. Engine and cooling 467

Chevrolet Camaro

Model years 2008–2023

NHTSA recall campaigns
17
NHTSA owner complaints
1,727
EPA combined mpg
14–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.6 L · 8-cyl 6.2, 7.0 L
Also listed
supercharged, turbo
Drive (EPA)
RWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2022)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 490
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 295
  3. Engine and cooling 283

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Dodge Challenger VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Challenger

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Dodge Challenger (third generation) coupe, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The primary VIN plate is at the base of the driver's side windshield. The door jamb sticker, firewall stamp in the engine compartment, and door sill label on some trims are secondary cross-checks. Any mismatch between the dashboard plate and firewall stamp is grounds for a professional VIN inspection before proceeding.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Dodge Challenger VIN questions

Which Dodge Challenger model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2010 leads with 299, ahead of the 2012 (253) and 2011 (193). Those first two alone make up 33% of the 1,694 Challenger complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Dodge Challenger had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 33 vehicle campaigns for model years 2008–2023, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Dodge Challenger recalls are high risk?

15V-444 and 16V-352 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-021 and 19V-018 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 17V-824, 10V-475, 17V-435, 13V-103, 15V-114 and 17V-496. Do-not-drive advisories came with 15V-444, 16V-352, 18V-021, 19V-018 and 13V-103. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Dodge Challenger get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2008–2023 Challenger at 13–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Dodge Challenger compare with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro on recalls?

For 2008–2023 models the Challenger has 33 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Mustang has 43, the Chevrolet Camaro 17. Complaints run 1,694, 4,016 and 1,727 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Dodge Challenger have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 Challenger 5 stars overall. One version, RWD, is rated.

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