2017 Dodge Challenger Safety Report

The 2017 Dodge Challenger presents a mixed safety profile, achieving strong crash test ratings from NHTSA but showing concerning patterns in owner complaints. The vehicle earned an impressive 5-star overall safety rating, with 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests, indicating robust performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, NHTSA has recorded 49 total complaints, including 7 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries, suggesting real-world safety incidents. A significant portion of these complaints, 8 out of 49, relate to the 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' and 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' categories, with specific issues like Uconnect touchscreen delamination causing 'ghost touches' that can randomly change vehicle settings such as steering, timing, wipers, headlights, and suspension, posing a direct safety hazard. Airbag non-deployment in crashes is also reported, despite the vehicle's high crash test scores, with 4 complaints related to 'AIR BAGS'. Recall history for the 2017 Challenger includes three significant issues. One recall addresses potential cruise control deactivation failure due to an 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING' issue, increasing crash risk. Another recall targets Hellcat engines for 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE' issues where oil cooler hoses may fail, leading to oil loss, impaired visibility, and fire risk. The third recall concerns 'POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE' for 5.7L V8 models, where the transmission may not remain in PARK, increasing roll-away risk. These recalls highlight critical component failures that could lead to severe consequences. Common complaint patterns extend beyond recalls, with issues like steering column failure, radiator fan motor seizing and exploding, and driveshaft carrier bearing failure being reported. The Uconnect touchscreen delamination is a particularly prevalent and dangerous issue, as it directly interferes with vehicle controls. While the Challenger performs well in controlled crash tests, the volume and nature of owner complaints, particularly those involving critical systems like steering, airbags, and the electrical system's impact on vehicle control, suggest that real-world reliability and safety can be compromised. Buyers should be aware of these documented issues.

Our recommendation: While the 2017 Dodge Challenger boasts strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of significant electrical system issues, particularly the Uconnect touchscreen, and investigate if any recalls have been addressed, as these can impact real-world safety and long-term reliability.