2018 Dodge Charger Safety Report
2018 Dodge Charger: Strong crash ratings, but plagued by electrical, Uconnect, and structural complaints, with multiple safety recalls.
AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Dodge Charger
Reliability Score
The 2018 Dodge Charger receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2018 Dodge Charger
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Dodge Charger:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uconnect Screen Delamination/Ghost Touches The infotainment screen delaminates, leading to unresponsive or phantom touches, randomly changing settings, radio stations, climate control, and even making calls, causing significant driver distraction and impairing essential vehicle functions like the backup camera. |
Medium | Common | variable miles |
| Headlight Fuse Melting/Failure Fuses for the headlights melt without blowing, causing headlights to become inoperable, posing a significant safety risk, especially at night. Dealers have acknowledged this as a known power issue. |
High | Occasional | variable miles |
| Airbag Inflator Rupture (Recall) Side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect, potentially striking occupants with sharp metal fragments, leading to injury or death. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Cruise Control Malfunction (Recall) A wiring issue can prevent cruise control deactivation, causing the vehicle to maintain or accelerate speed, increasing the risk of a crash. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
| Door Panel Detachment/Warping Interior door panels, particularly on the driver's side, can warp, detach, or peel, affecting aesthetics and potentially interfering with controls or airbag deployment. |
Low | Occasional | variable miles |
| Transmission Park Lock Rod Incorrect Installation (Recall) An incorrectly installed transmission park lock rod may prevent the transmission from shifting into 'PARK', allowing the vehicle to move unexpectedly and increasing the risk of a crash. |
High | Rare | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Dodge Charger:
Frequent complaints about Uconnect screen issues (delamination, ghost touches), headlight failures due to melting fuses, and general electrical malfunctions leading to dashboard lights going dark or steering wheel locking.
Common issues include interior door panels detaching, warping, or peeling from the door frame.
A notable percentage of complaints fall into a general 'unknown or other' category, indicating various unspecified issues or problems that don't fit neatly into other categories.
Reports of transmission issues, including complete transmission failure and problems related to the driveshaft, some of which are covered by recalls.
Complaints about airbag service lights illuminating without incident, in addition to a major recall concerning inflator ruptures.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Dodge Charger
Is the 2018 Dodge Charger safe?
The 2018 Dodge Charger received excellent NHTSA crash test ratings, including a 5-star overall rating. However, it has been subject to 6 recalls addressing serious safety concerns like airbag inflator ruptures and cruise control malfunctions. Additionally, NHTSA complaints highlight common issues with the electrical system (24 complaints), particularly the Uconnect screen, and structural problems like door panel detachment, which can be distracting or compromise safety.
What are common problems with the 2018 Dodge Charger?
The most reported issues for the 2018 Dodge Charger are related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (24 complaints), often involving the Uconnect infotainment screen delaminating and causing 'ghost touches' or random function activation. STRUCTURE (18 complaints) issues, such as door panels detaching, are also common. Other problems include headlight failures due to melting fuses and, less frequently, power train issues like transmission problems.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Dodge Charger?
Yes, the 2018 Dodge Charger has 6 recalls. These include recalls for side curtain air bag inflators that may rupture, a backup camera not displaying in 'stealth mode' for pursuit vehicles, wiring issues that could cause a vehicle stall or cruise control malfunction, front driveshaft issues in AWD V8 pursuit vehicles, and an incorrect transmission park lock rod that could prevent the vehicle from staying in 'PARK'.
How does the 2018 Dodge Charger perform in crash tests?
The 2018 Dodge Charger performed very well in NHTSA crash tests, earning a 5-star overall safety rating. It received 5 stars for side impact and rollover tests, and 4 stars for frontal crash tests.
Is the Uconnect system a known issue in the 2018 Dodge Charger?
Yes, the Uconnect system is a frequently reported issue. Complaints detail screen delamination, leading to 'ghost touches' where the screen registers inputs without physical contact, randomly changing radio stations, climate settings, or even making calls. This is a significant source of driver distraction and impairs the use of essential vehicle functions like navigation and the backup camera.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: While the 2018 Dodge Charger boasts strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of numerous electrical and structural complaints, particularly regarding the Uconnect system and door panels, and ensure all 6 recalls have been addressed.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Dodge Charger
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Dodge Charger. The data includes 121 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Dodge Charger 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 5 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.