2021 Dodge Challenger Safety Report
2021 Dodge Challenger Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Dodge Challenger
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (17) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Dodge Challenger | 8 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Dodge Challenger | 19 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Dodge Challenger | 38 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Dodge Challenger | 55 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Dodge Challenger | 72 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Dodge Challenger | 49 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Dodge Challenger Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Air Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Dodge onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Dodge onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Dodge onlyElectrical System,Seat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Seat Belts issues Dodge onlySuspension,Power Train,Structure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension,Power Train,Structure issues Dodge onlySeats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seats issues Dodge onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Dodge Challenger
Reliability Score
The 2021 Dodge Challenger receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Dodge Challenger
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Dodge Challenger:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags Air bags have been deployed during recalls, indicating potential issues with deployment. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Power train issues have been reported, affecting vehicle performance and safety. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Instrument Cluster Panel Recalled due to instrument cluster panel issues, which can affect driver visibility and safety. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Recalled due to windshield issues, which can affect visibility and safety. |
Medium | Common | 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 2021 Dodge Challenger:
Air bags are the most common issue, affecting 23% of the vehicles.
Power train issues affect 20% of the vehicles.
Instrument cluster panel issues affect 15% of the vehicles.
Windshield issues affect 10% of the vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2021 Dodge Challenger
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Dodge Challenger by NHTSA:
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Challenger vehicles. The affected vehicles do not illuminate their safety system status indicators sufficiently in both daylight and nighttime driving conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Consequence: Without visible safety system indicators, a driver may not receive information regarding vehicle safety, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will re-program instrument clusters with the correct software version, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 5, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-140. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y58.
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 2021 Dodge Challenger
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Dodge Challenger with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
mileage 61113 . car moves forward 15 feet an goes into neutral .When pulling into traffic this is a serious safety problem . A major accident which could be loss of life might occur . Enterprise car sales will not acknowledge o show any concern . They offered a 12 month or 12000 mile limited warranty free and implied i should have paid for an expensive warranty. their carfax report showed that the...
My seatbelt seemed a bit faulty when I purchased the car. It was slow to retract and at some points wouldn’t retract unless I played with the seatbelt. Three years in to owning the car it still won’t retract fully and is at the point where it won’t come out to a safe distance that allows me to wear my seatbelt. As for the electrical defaults, there are times when I am driving and the display, betw...
I purchased this vehicle from Vroom, who is also my lender under United Auto Credit. The car was sold with a washed title and undisclosed prior structural and mechanical damage. I have documentation confirming the vehicle had serious pre-existing issues and should never have been sold as a clean-title car. The differential has failed three times in under 6 months, and I’ve experienced full drivet...
My automatic start hasn’t been working for months . Sometimes it work , sometimes it doesn’t . When it doesn’t work I get a message on the dash saying “remote start cancelled hood open . “Iced taken my car to the Dodge dealership several times & it keeps happening . I’ve contacted Dodge customer care etc and nothing . Once when I was at the dealership the gentlemen said another customer came in w...
On [XXX] I was traveling s/b on [XXX] in Florida in my Dodge Challenger which I purchased from New Smyrna Dodge this year. I was traveling approx 65 mph and all of a sudden the back of my drivers seat went back all the way putting me in a flat position against the rear seat. I was lucky enough to pull myself up and keep control of the vehicle. The incident could have been a disaster because my ...
On [XXX] I was involved in car accident on [XXX] around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. When the impact happened the airbags deployed and cut my wrist (left) and burned my left forearm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The cars light notifications on instrument cluster panel turned on all of them at the same time while accelerating jerking the car on freeway I have video of that happening and can provide it upon request it did caused a minor accident but I settled the accident with other driver with cash with out involving insurance or police but the car is not being driven that much ever since accident it w...
The contact was driving a rental vehicle from Enterprise which was a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated there was debris in the high way and the vehicle was pulled into the wall and the air bag did not deploy. The contact stated a police report was filed. The contact was transported to the hospital where he was diagnosed with...
This may not be the correct place to report this but it is a serious problem. Since Google took over the Waze navigation app they have been relentless in popping up ads, useless information and so on. They are now asking if I am driving an electric car of all things.... all while I'm driving on the highway! This strong, relentless encouragement to get drivers to distract their attention from t...
The reverse camera screen is not adjustable and blinds the entire cab including looking into the mirrors. You must cover the screen to even look into the mirrors.
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. Additionally, the vehicle pulled back while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1...
Left frontal Collision between drivers side head assembly and center front of car- with white tail deer about 100-120 lbs. , causing extensive damage to car. $19,000. Payout from progressive for those extensive repairs. And airbags never deployed. This seems highly alarming to me. The abrupt stop, or the sudden heavy damage to front of vehicle seems like it would activate airbags?? Safety issue...
The contact owned a 2021 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 55-65 MPH when the vehicle hydroplaned, as a result, the vehicle struck a guard rail head-on and spun out of control. The contact stated that the frontal air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer...
The transmission/drive shaft thumps and the car "lurches" upon start-up. This is somehow related to the push button start. My car is also equipped with a factory remote start and no noise is heard, nor does the car lurch on start-up. Please refer to video link: https://youtu.be/SRQJcjpl4mA
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge SXT. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, it caught on fire without warning. The fire marshals extinguished the flames. A report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
speedometer is messed up and not working properly what should I do?
Challenger less than a week from the dealership and less than 1,000 miles. Catastrophic fuel pump failure while driving, unable to recover. Rear view back up camera freezes and stutters causing safety issues. Radio volume constantly changes while driving and leads to distraction safety issues. Door locks are consistently unreliable, roughly 25% chance of door lock failure. Key fob not det...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Dodge Challenger
Has the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
The 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER has 17 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The 2021 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 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER involve air bags (3 complaints), power train (2 complaints), unknown or other (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,seat belts, suspension,power train,structure, seats.
How many crash reports does the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER out of 17 total complaints (23.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER out of 17 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER is generally recommended. It has 17 complaints, 2 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 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER are: 1. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS (1 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Be cautious of air bag and power train issues. Check for recalls and ensure the instrument cluster panel and windshield are in good condition. The 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER has 17 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
The 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 17 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Air bags and Power train.
What are the known issues with the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER?
Known issues with the 2021 DODGE CHALLENGER include: Air bags, Power train, Instrument cluster panel, Windshield. These are based on patterns found across 17 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Dodge Challenger?
Yes, there are recalls for air bags and instrument cluster panel issues.
What is the most common safety issue with the 2021 Dodge Challenger?
The most common safety issue is with the air bags and power train.
Can the reverse camera on a 2021 Dodge Challenger be adjusted?
No, the reverse camera is not adjustable and can blind the driver.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of air bag and power train issues. Check for recalls and ensure the instrument cluster panel and windshield are in good condition.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Dodge Challenger
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Dodge Challenger. The data includes 17 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 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