2020 Dodge Challenger Safety Report
2020 Dodge Challenger Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Dodge Challenger. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (19) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Dodge Challenger with 8 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Dodge Challenger before buying across this generation. |
Dodge Challenger Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Dodge Challenger years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Dodge Challenger | 17 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Dodge Challenger | 55 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Dodge Challenger | 8 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Dodge Challenger | 72 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Dodge Challenger | 38 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Dodge Challenger | 49 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Dodge Challenger Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Dodge Challenger, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Dodge onlyVehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes,Fuel/Propulsion System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Dodge onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Dodge onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Dodge onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
Reliability Score
The 2020 Dodge Challenger receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Dodge Challenger:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight Wiring Harness Failure The headlight wiring harness rubbing on the frame can cause the headlight to fail, leading to reduced visibility and potential safety hazards. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train And Air Bag Malfunctions Issues with the power train and air bags, such as seat belt unlocking on its own and airbag malfunction, can compromise the safety of the vehicle. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Cooling Fan Explosions Cooling fan explosions can render the vehicle inoperable, posing a significant safety risk. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Malfunctions Sunroof malfunctions, such as automatic trunk opening, can cause unexpected and dangerous situations while driving. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Dodge Challenger:
Issues with the electrical system, including headlight failures and wiring harness problems, are common.
Power train malfunctions, such as seat belt unlocking and airbag malfunctions, are reported.
Air conditioning system failures, including leaks and control malfunctions, have been reported.
Vehicle speed control and service brake issues have been noted, affecting overall safety.
Recall Details for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2020 Dodge Challenger by NHTSA:
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Dodge Challenger with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires.
In your own words, tell us what happened. Cro I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I co...
I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn’t get it out of gear. Nearly causing mult...
Air conditioning system failed. Stopped blowing cool air. Leak developed in system and it was traced to the evaporator core
Cooling fans exploded an went through radiator, making the car inoperable!
Good afternoon, my right headlight wiring harness had rubbed on the frame down to the wires, actually meta l to metal and caused my head light to blow out and my turn signal to malfunction and there is no warning light for the headlight being out, I called the dealership and they said there's no recall and they want a lot of money to fix this problem, I'm afraid it may cause a fire, I've noticed t...
Seat belt starting to unlock on its own-Driver Airbag malfunction-Passenger seat Reverse gear malfunction -code. Tsb 21-039-24
On 11-Jul-24 about 3:45 pm I was driving on the highway appox 70 mph and my sunroof exploded. There was only one car near me and not in a position to throw up any rocks.
Trunk is opening automatically while driving
While driving the air conditioning control’s stopped working. It required restarting the vehicle, to get it to work again . The air also started blowing out the defrost vents without being changed to blow through them.
The contact owns a 2020 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle momentarily powered off; while coasting to the side of the road, the vehicle suddenly powered back on and continued to drive as needed. The contact stated that during the failure, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The vehicle independently restarted. The cause of the failure was n...
Windshield is becoming unglued starting to separate
My car was in a collision yesterday. I was rear-ended and pushed into another vehicle, resulting in both front and rear impacts. The air bag did not deploy, even though I could smell it, as if it did deploy. Also, my car app notified me that the airbag had been deployed and needed to be taken to a service provider to be serviced. The problem is that no airbags actually deployed. So if I had been i...
Car completely shut off while driving on the freeway at 75mph. Car completely shut off another incident on the street and another incident in a parking lot.
UPON RECEIVING A PHONE CALL WHILE MY DEVICE IS CONNECTED TO THE UCONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, THE INCOMING RINGER VOLUME IS SET TO MAXIMUM LOUDNESS. THIS CANNOT BE CHANGED. THE RINGER IS SO LOUD, IT IS STARTLING TO ANYONE WHO IS IN THE CAR. EVERY TIME I GET A CALL WHILE IN MY CAR (THROUGH UCONNECT), I JUMP. I THOUGHT A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK...
I BOUGHT A DODGE CHALLENGER. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT IS HUNTINGTON BEACH DODGE RAM JEEP DEALER. I GOT OUT OF THE DEALER AND THE SHAFT OF THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WAY, I WAS ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT.I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY TOLD ME TO GIVE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE. I SAID I DID NOT WANT TO SERVICE THE CAR AT 50 MILES. I ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME A NEW ONE OF THE SAME CAR. ...
I BOUGHT A DODGE CHALLENGER. THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT IS HUNTINGTON BEACH DODGE RAM JEEP DEALER. I GOT OUT OF THE DEALER AND THE SHAFT OF THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WAY, I WAS ALMOST HAVING AN ACCIDENT.I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. THEY TOLD ME TO GIVE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE. I SAID I DID NOT WANT TO SERVICE THE CAR AT 50 MILES. I ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME A NEW ONE OF THE SAME CAR. ...
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OPERATIONAL, IN SECOND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH NO WARNINGS.*DT*DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*JB
I HAD A FLAT TIRE ONE WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT THE $ 60.000 CAR. THEN I LEARNED THE CAR DOES NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE. INSTEAD THERE IS A MACHINE, AFTER READING THE MANUAL I GOT THE TIRE TO INFLATE. IMMEDIATELY I WENT TO A TIRE STORE TO GET THE NAIL OUT OF THE TIRE. THEY SAID I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW TIRE BECAUSE I USED THE MACHINE THAT DODGE PROVIDES. I REACHED OUT TO DODGE AND HERE IS THEIR RE...
THE SCREEN FOR THE STEREO CONTINUOUSLY FLASHES LIKE IT IS SHORTING AND THE TOGGLE BUTTONS CONTINUOUSLY FREEZE. WHEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THERE IS NO ISSUE THAT CHRYSLER SAID I NEEDED TO MAKE SURE MY CHARGER HAD NO DUST IN IT AND MAKE SURE THE SLOT HAD NONE EITHER. THE VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW AND I WENT DIRECTLY TO MY PHONE MANUFACTURER AND PURCHASED A BRAND NEW DUST FREE CHARGER. ISSU...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Dodge Challenger
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Dodge Challenger
Has the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
The 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER has 19 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER involve electrical system (3 complaints), vehicle speed control,service brakes,fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints), unknown or other (2 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system,unknown or other, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER out of 19 total complaints (5.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER out of 19 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER.
Should I buy a 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER is generally recommended. It has 19 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 2. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, as they can significantly impact the safety and reliability of your 2020 Dodge Challenger. The 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER has 19 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 19 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Headlight Wiring Harness Failure and Power Train and Air Bag Malfunctions.
What are the known issues with the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Known issues with the 2020 DODGE CHALLENGER include: Headlight Wiring Harness Failure, Power Train and Air Bag Malfunctions, Cooling Fan Explosions, Sunroof Malfunctions. These are based on patterns found across 19 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common electrical system issues in the 2020 Dodge Challenger?
Headlight wiring harness rubbing on the frame and cooling fan explosions are the most common electrical system issues.
Are there any known power train malfunctions in the 2020 Dodge Challenger?
Yes, seat belt unlocking on its own and airbag malfunctions have been reported.
Can the sunroof malfunction in the 2020 Dodge Challenger cause any safety concerns?
Yes, automatic trunk opening while driving can be a safety concern.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, as they can significantly impact the safety and reliability of your 2020 Dodge Challenger.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Dodge Challenger
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Dodge Challenger. The data includes 19 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Dodge Challenger an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14