16 Best & Worst Dodge Charger Years (With Facts & Stats)

The Dodge Charger’s roots can be traced back to as early as 1964 when it was first unveiled at a show car.

Its most recent production run began in 2006 following a long hiatus.

It is an aggressively styled vehicle with a spacious cabin and powerful engine options. 

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the best and worst model years of the Charger.

Here’s The Short Answer To What The Best And Worst Years For The Dodge Charger Are:

The best Dodge Charger model years are 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2010, and 2009. The worst model years of the Charger are 2006, 2011, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2014, and 2013. This is based on auto industry reviews, NHTSA statistics, reported problems, and consumer feedback.

What Are The Best Years For The Dodge Charger?

2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Charger is the perfect combination of performance, comfort, and classic muscle car style.

The vehicle’s acceleration is quick, brakes are reassuringly strong, and there’s plenty of room for the whole family.

This is the final installment of the long-running 7th generation and there are big changes on the horizon, which is why the automaker provided several special editions that serve as callbacks to muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. 

Every unit has an underhood plaque that reads “Last Call” to commemorate the end of the current generation.  

There are 7 trim levels to choose from: GT, SXT, R/T, Scat Pack, Scat Pack Widebody, SRT Hellcat Widebody Jailbreak, and SRT Hellcat Widebody Redeye Jailbreak.

Pricing ranges from approximately $37,000 to $91,000.

• Edmunds: 4.6 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: NA

2023 Charger, Edmunds review:

“I smile everytime I open the garage and see it. The reported fact that the day looms where the 8-cylinder combustion engine version of this American classic is discontinued is a shame. Electric and American Muscle should never be mentioned in the same sentence. Is it the greatest on gas? No. But there are no shortage of examples of vehicles, many of which are much pricier get far worse fuel economy. I want to hear the engine growl…”

2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Charger comes with extremely powerful engines, including a large V8 engine that boasts up to 707 horsepower. Customer feedback is excellent and reported problems are low too.

Personalization also comes first with this model and there are a wide range of trim levels and graphics packages.

The entry-level SXT is the most popular variant and is a great entry point into the world of muscle cars. 

• Edmunds: 4.6 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 83 / 100

2022 Charger, Kelley Blue Book review:

“Best car I have ever owned, performance is outstanding and with a 6 cyl. gas mileage is better than 4 cyl chevy malibu. I get 30 mpg with Charger.”

2021 Dodge Charger

The 2021 Dodge Charger is another great choice when shopping for an all-American sedan with classic muscle-car styling.

For 2021 the GT trim was made available with AWD and the SRT Hellcat Redeye made its debut with an eyewatering 797 horsepower.

Entry-level trims of this model are equipped with a beefy V6 engine while the top-spec trim has a behemoth V8 engine.

• Edmunds: 4.6 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 84 / 100

2021 Charger, Kelley Blue Book review:

“Everything about this car is wonderful. Heated and cooled cup holders, automatic four wheel drive, beats radio, great performance. no problems.”

2020 Dodge Charger

The 2020 Charger is as powerful and reliable as other model years on this list. It has scored very high customer reviews on various websites and minimal complaints on the NHTSA website.

For 2020 a Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition was introduced which is fitted with a 717-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine.

EPA estimates for the 2020 Charger are anywhere between 15 MPG to 23 MPG for combined driving, depending on the trim level and engine. 

This model received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA based on crash test scores.

• Edmunds: 4.7 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 85 / 100

2020 Charger, Edmunds review:

“My van is in the shop having warranty work so I was given a Charger. I have enjoyed the styling of the Charger, also receiving many compliments on the “muscle car” sitting in the elementary school parking lot. With its 300 horsepower and 264 lbs of torque, I have very easily left everyone at the light. The smoothness of acceleration combined with the ability to hug any curve transports me back to my younger days. I could only imagine the power of the Hellcat or even a GT…”

2019 Dodge Charger

The 2019 Charger looks cool, sounds crisp, and goes unbelievably fast. It’s another solid choice when shopping for a charger.

The model comes in unique colors, including Go Mango, Plum Crazy, TorRed and White Knuckle.

Aside from minor revisions to the model’s interior and exterior, as well as revised trim level designations, the 2019 Charger carries over basically unchanged from 2018. 

• Edmunds: 4.4 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 84 / 100

2019 Charger, Edmunds review:

“I already loved the way the new Chargers looked on the outside, but never considered purchasing one due to the previous bad experiences with Chrysler products that my family members have had. I drove a Charger last November at a local auto expo, and was thoroughly impressed! I already assumed it would be fun to drive, but I was astounded at how solid and well made it was. It is rock solid, and will cruise at 100 mph as smoothly as if it were standing still…”

2018 Dodge Charger

The 2018 Charger is a powerful muscle car that has various engine options, multiple trims, and comes with updated tech features.

New for this model year is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the base SXT trim. 

For all variants across the board, a rearview camera and rear parking sensors come as standard features. 

Prospective buyers get to choose from a total of 10 trim levels: SXT, SXT Plus, GT, R/T, GT Plus, Daytona, R/T Scat Pack, Daytona 392, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat. 

• Edmunds: 4.2 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 81 / 100

2018 Charger, Edmunds review:

“After driving a 2018 Dodge Charger GT Plus for the last 3 years I can tell you with confidence that this is the best large sedan on the market. Especially if you are looking for 300 HP V6 performance in an AWD vehicle. The Charger offers that in the GT AWD. The Toyota Avalon only offers AWD in their V4 200 HP vehicles. The extra HP of the Charger makes it a blast to drive and it drives extremely well in our snowy winters here in the northeast. In general driving the visibility is great, back seat is very roomy and the trunk is huge. Yet it is very easy to drive and park…” 

2015 Dodge Charger

For 2015 the Charger was heavily updated, with an eight-speed automatic transmission fitted as standard across the lineup. New driver aids and tech were added including a frontal collision warning and mitigation system.

AWD was no longer coupled with the V8 Chargers and the Hellcat featured a new 6.2 liter V8 that offers a monstrous 707 hp.

This model has a smooth yet controlled ride, a roomy interior with high-quality materials, and extremely potent engine options.

While the V6 engines of the entry-level trims of this model are more than enough to satisfy most people’s desires, the V8 engine options are unrivaled.

• Edmunds: 4.1 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.7 / 5.0
• JD Power: 82 / 100

2015 Charger, Edmunds review:

“ … My 2015 charger is beautiful it gets a lot of attention, its fast its all those things its supposed to be. Honestly, I could care less about the aesthetics and speed. What I do care about is that car saved us many times. When my son was hit by the drunk driver the responding officer was surprised no one was injured. I’m just grateful that we still have American companies that still care about Americans and their safety. I am a charger fan for life.”

2010 Dodge Charger

The 2010 Charger is a great choice for those on a tighter budget who aren’t too concerned about having the latest tech. This model scored impressive customer feedback reviews and complaints were minimal.

The 2010 Charger was the final iteration of the LX 6th Generation.

For 2010 the Charger received subtle exterior styling tweaks and side curtain airbags as standard.

It has thrilling V8s, a roomy interior, good handling for its size, and an available all-wheel drive option.

It has a total of 4 engine options: a 2.7-liter V6 (178 horsepower), a 3.5-liter V6 (250 horsepower), a 5.7-liter V8 (368 horsepower), and a 6.1-liter V8 (425 horsepower).

• Edmunds: 4.6 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
• JD Power: 77 / 100

2010 Charger, Edmunds review:

“So far it’s the best car I’ve owned so far. More power than I even know what to do with, excellent handling for a rear wheel drive car and a very comfortable and well-designed interior. The MPG of course is atrocious but it’ll probably get better when I stop gunning it just for fun. It’s great b/c it has tons of room for the family so you can get everyone comfortable to where they are going…really fast!”

2009 Dodge Charger

The 2009 Charger is another tired and true model that has way above-average owner feedback, a reassuringly low number of complaints and a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2009 Charger was the penultimate installment of the LX 6th Generation.

It has a spacious cabin, comfortable seats, relatively affordable pricing, available all-wheel-drive and a choice of four engines.

Compared to its predecessors, the optional V8 engine available for this model year has slightly better horsepower and fuel economy. 

• Edmunds: 4.7 / 5.0
• Kelley Blue Book: 4.6 / 5.0
• JD Power: 84 / 100

2009 Charger, Edmunds review:

“I scoped this car out for months, read all the reviews, drove several models, but I’m absolutely thrilled over my “CHARGER”. So far it has been everything I anticipated it to be and more. My kids will get this car and still be cool and safe. I was a little hesitant about rear-wheel drive, but I found that if I just respect the vehicle, it will definitely return the favor. This is definitely my soul mate.”

Consumer Scores For Best Dodge Charger Years

Related: How Long Do Dodge Chargers Last? (Solved & Explained)

What Are The Worst Years For The Dodge Charger?

2006 Dodge Charger

The 2006 Charger was the first model year produced after a long hiatus that began in 1987. Based on NHTSA data, this model year is the most problematic model year produced. 

It was so problematic, Car Complaints even gave it the title “Beware Of The Clunker”.

Its most serious and common problems were engine related.

Owners widely reported engine stalling, which was most common after putting gas in the car.

Here is one owner’s complaint:

“Vehicle stalls when slowing to stop or turn, only after filling the gas tank. The stalling persists and has left me in dangerous situations, until enough fuel is used. From 3/4 full and lower there is no stalling whatsoever.”

Steering wheel lockup and the engine oil light coming on were also symptoms associated with the stalling.

The 2006 Charger had a total of 190 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 1,744 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Premature engine failure
• Engine died while driving
• Car stalls
• Runs rough after fueling up

2011 & 2012 Dodge Charger

The 2011 and 2012 model years were some of the most problematic in the Charger’s recent history.

Many owners were faced with alternator failure.

This meant the battery would quickly discharge, the electronics stopped functioning properly, warning lights would come on, starting issues and the engine would cut out whilst driving. 

Some owners reported that despite having the alternator replaced the replacement also failed within a short period of time.

Here is one owner’s testimony:

“We have done research on the internet and have found that many others have had this issue! It appears that Chrysler has identified a problem and has issued a recall for the alternator for the 3.1-liter engine in the Charger, but for the 5.7 Charger, they have not addressed the issue. This is unacceptable! The vehicle did not have any prior warning of low voltage or battery problems! The vehicle was running fine and then stops in a hazardous area!”

• The 2011 Charger had a total of 131 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 1,008 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.
• The 2012 Charger had a total of 87 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 887 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Alternator failure
• Gas tank leak
• Engine stalls/shuts off while driving
• Power steering pump failure

2008 Dodge Charger

The 2008 Charger received a large number of complaints for various electrical issues.

This ranged from stereo issues, windows won’t go down, warning lights on the dash, keyfobs not working to the gas gauge being faulty.

One of the most common issues was that the engine wouldn’t turn over or start which was due to a faulty ignition.

Here’s one owner’s complaint:

“Car would not start got ignition switch replaced then had to replace the starter on the car. I am very frustrated and then found out that it was a recall for ignition switch which I later got refunded back and also for replacing the keys for the car.”

The 2008 Charger had a total of 88 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 831 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Engine failure
• Engine will not turn over
• ESP (electronic stability program) light on
• BAS (brake assistant system) light on

2007 Dodge Charger

CarComplaints.com bestowed upon the 2007 Charger the “Beware of the Clunker” badge.

This was “earned” because of the large number of complaints it received, many of which were for the gear shift being stuck in park.

This problem was widespread and was caused by a defective shift interlock lever and spring.

There was a recall for this however many affected owners reported they were not covered by it.

Stalling at low speeds was also reported by numerous owners.

The 2007 Charger had a total of 128 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 659 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Gear shift stuck in park
• Engine stalls/shuts down while driving
• Blown engine

2014 Dodge Charger

The 2014 Charger received a higher-than-average number of complaints, many of which were related to the power steering.

Owners reported that the steering would lock up whilst driving, this was often accompanied by warning lights on the dash.

Some of these steering issues were attributed to power steering module failure and also steering pump problems.

Alternator failure was also widely reported which led to various issues such as the car entering “battery save mode” whilst driving.

The 2014 Charger had a total of 71 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 480 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Shifting problems
• Steering locked
• Alternator failure

2013 Dodge Charger

The 2013 Charger was plagued by alternator problems, just like a lot of model years on this list.

This led to difficulty starting up the vehicle, excessive battery drain, and steering wheel locking up. 

On the other hand, several owners have also reported powertrain issues, specifying that there were instances of clicking sounds, thumping sounds, hesitation, surging, and bucking while driving the vehicle. 

These were caused by premature wear of components within the engine and transmission.

The 2013 Charger had a total of 54 complaints at CarComplaints.com and 464 problems at CarProblemZoo.com.

Common problems:

• Faulty alternator
• Defective steering column joint
• Vibration

What Years Have The Most Complaints?

What Problems Do Dodge Chargers Have?

• Premature engine failure
• Door panels are warping
• Alternator failure
• Engine died while driving
• Car stalls
• Car runs rough after fueling up
• Gear shift stuck in park
• Blown engine
• Engine will not run over
• ESP (electronic stability program) light on
• BAS (brake assistant system) light on
• Steering wheel locks up
• Gas tank leak
• Power steering pump failure
• Shifting problems
• Loud noise

Related: 11 Most Common Dodge Charger Problems (Explained)

What Are The Best Alternatives To The Dodge Charger?

Source: cars.usnews.com, edmunds.com

Related: Dodge Charger in Snow & Winter Driving? (Explained)

References

https://www.caranddriver.com/dodge/charger-2022

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/dodge/charger

https://www.edmunds.com/dodge/charger/

https://www.kbb.com/dodge/charger/

https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2022/dodge/charger

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Dodge/Charger/

https://www.carproblemzoo.com/dodge/charger/index.php