What 179 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Challenger

On Saturday 1:20am 11/15/25 DRIVING 27 MILES FROM DISTANCE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTS QUICKLY POWER OUTAGES ON AND OFF INTERIOR LIGHTIN. dim headlights, or issues with electrical components. 11/15/25 A vehicle fire occurred, and preliminary investigations suggest a battery malfunction as the probable cause. The malfunction led to an uncontrolled thermal event within the battery system, rapidly escalating into a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Further analysis is underway to determine the specific nature of the battery failure and contributing factors.NO WARNING ADVISORY ON THE PRELIMINARY OCCURRENCE IT ESCALATED FROM FLASHING ON AND OFF LIGHTS AND STEREO TO A STIFF STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AND RAPIDLY SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AND FIRE STARTED CONSUMING THE REAR END OF THE TRUNK AND VEHICLE. THIS WAS A VERY DEVASTATING AND OVERWHELMING TRAGEDY IT HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MINUTES TIMEFRAME AND FIREDEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES INTO THE CONCERNING FIRE IT ALSO TOOK AROUND AROUND A HOUR FOR THE FIREMAN TO PUT OUT THE FIRE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11699878

The vehicle is available for inspection. The issue caused a fire under my carport and within 30 feet of a neighbor's house. The car is immobile and still at the location of the incident, it has not been reproduced or inspected. there were no warning lamps at the time of the incident. The electrical system seemed to have several issues over the past years. The passenger side tail light would burn out at least twice a year. The driver's side window would go up and down when the car was off and ran out of battery. The vehicle would allow the key fob to be locked in the car. I took it to the dealer but they were unable to determine the cause. Most recently what a mechanic thought was the starter failed twice in less than six months. Last month, I went to start the car, and it started and then turned off. I heard a pop and crackling sound, and the trunk battery was on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11610907

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS LOCATED ON THE FRONT VENDER AND QUARTER PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED. WHILE CHANGING THE LIGHT BULBS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BULB SOCKETS HAD BURNED AND MELTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. ALSO WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY INCREASE SPEED AND DECREASE SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER RANDY MARION CHRYSLER LOCATED AT 601 GAITHER RD, STATESVILLE, NC 28625 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO AFTER SHIFTING TO THE PARK POSITION AND PRESSING THE STOP BUTTON THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11364117

BEARINGS STARTED FALLING OUT, WHICH ALLOWS THE SEAT TO SLIDE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. WITHOUT THESE BEARINGS THE SEAT WILL NO LONGER SLIDE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, WHEN AN ADJUSTMENT IS NEEDED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FORWARD FOR NO REASON, OR WHEN I ACCELERATE THE SEAT WILL SLIDE BACKWARDS. MY MOM'S KNEES WERE DAMAGED DURING A MINOR COLLISION BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. SHE IS IN HER 80'S. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AND MAY THRUST SOMEONE FORWARD DURING AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. MY AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AS I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND THIS WAS DURING A RIGHT TURN AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, SO THERE WASN'T ENOUGH SPEED TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS.

NHTSA ODI 11363554

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH TO APPROACH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT, AS WELL AS HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND BODILY PAINS. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED VIA AMBULANCE TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. FIVE STAR CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF WARNER ROBINS (2817 WATSON BLVD, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088, (478) 387-2017) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A FACILITY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER AND INSURANCE COMPANY TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V018000 (AIR BAGS) AND 18V021000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THE CRASH IN TWO DAYS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11189748

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED SMOKING, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY FIRE WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN. MY 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER ONLY HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT, AND ALL SERVICE WAS DONE AS RECOMMENDED BY DODGE, AT A CERTIFIED SHOP. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO DODGE, AND THEY DENIED ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY MODEL, BECAUSE OF KNOWN ISSUES REGARDING ALTERNATORS OVERHEATING, OR SHORT CIRCUITING, CAUSING THERMAL DIODE FATIGUE. THE CAR WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES, AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED A SETTLEMENT. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11119487

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO THE POWER CONTROL MODULE AND BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (CHRIS NIKEL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM FIAT, 2920 N ASPEN AVE, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012, (918) 355-5000) WHO STATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PART WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V435000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AND THAT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME AVAILABLE IN MID FEBRUARY OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER ASKED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND PART WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11065924

ON THIS DATE 7/3/17 MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER WERE VISITING THE LIBRARY WHEN OUR VEHICLE STALLED. THANKFULLY THEY WERE IN A SAFE LOCATION AND HAD JUST PARKED. PRIOR TO LEAVING THE HOUSE MY HUSBAND NOTICED A WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CAR STALLES THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR HOME. IT WAS LATER IDENTIFIED THAT THE ALTEENATOR HAS GONE OUT. IT WAS REPLACED. NOW MPVING FORWARD TO 9/6/2017 MY HUSBAND AND I RECIEVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM NHTSA STATING IN BOLD PRINT AND GREAT DETAIL THAT PROMPT ACTION TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IS NEEDED. THE RECALL NOTICE ALSO GAVE DIRECTION ON HOW THE DEALER AND NHTSA MUST RECTIFY THE SITUATION IN A TIMELY MANNER. ACTION ON OUR END WAS TAKEN AND MY HUSBAND TOOK THE RISK OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER SURE THAT THE ISSUE WOULD VE RECTIFIED. NOW THE PART TO REMEDY THIS RECALL IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND NO ACCOMADATION ON EITHER NHTSA OR ANY DODGE DEALERAHIP HAS BEEN GIVEN TO MY FAMILY. THIS IS RISKING A VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN ON A ROAD THAT WAS STATED IN BOLD PRINT DETAILING THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE AND THE RISK OF INJURY AND CRASH. YET NOONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFTEY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. ALL THAT IS VEING ASKED IS THAT A RENTAL VEHICLE BE ACCOMATATED UNTIL THE RECALL IS FIXED. THE RECALL STATES THE VEHICLE MUST BE REPAIRED YET HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO CONTINUE ON WITH GETTING MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND MY HUSBAND AND SELF TO WORK. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED AND UPSET THAT NOTHING IS VEING DOBE TO ENSURE THE SAFTEY AND LIVES OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. YOUR TAKING THE RISK OF INJURY WITH A UNSAFE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE PROMT ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER

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CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING IT THIS WAS 4 HOURS AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR GETTING THE TOURQUE CONVERTER FIXED. I THINK THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED IT. I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT ONLY GOING 7-10 MPH. DALLAS PD DOESN'T COME OUT IF IT'S ON PRIVATE PROPERTY I AM STILL WAITING MY FIRE REPORT IN THE MAIL. I HAVE UNSURE CLAIM NUMBERS FROM 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE. (CHRYSTLER. NATIONAL GENERAL INSURANCE. HARCO NATIONAL INSURANCE.)

NHTSA ODI 10945284

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INTERNAL INJURIES TO THE LUNGS, LOWER BACK, RIGHT KNEE, AND A CONCUSSION TO THE HEAD. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 10906977

SAW LIGHT ON DASH (ETC MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) AND NEXT MEMORY IS BEING AT HOSPITAL. DURING THE 60-90 SECONDS AFTER I SAW LIGHT WITNESSES WATCHED MY 2013 CHALLENGER R/T ACCELERATE UP TO HIGH 90S AND ULTIMATELY CRASH THROUGH FENCE AND INTO HOUSE. EDR SHOWS STEERING AT TRAFFIC CIRCLE BUT NO ACCELERATOR PEDAL INPUT DURING LAST FIVE SECONDS. ENGINEERS SAY PROBABLE CAUSE IS MALFUNCTION IN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND POORLY DESIGNED BRAKE-THROTTLE OVERRIDE.

NHTSA ODI 10855717

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

NHTSA ODI 10845793

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER PUMP HAD A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 10781680

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND NO DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN RENDER YET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 10/29/15.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10678208

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT VARIOUS UNKNOWN WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUSE BOX BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V634000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 10664325

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHIFTED INTO SPORT MODE AND ENGAGED THE POWER SHIFTER SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AFTER THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A NECK INJURY AND THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. BOTH PARTIES WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300.

NHTSA ODI 10564050

MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR GOING BACK TO COLLEGE ON THE I 49. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK. HE STOPPED, OPENED THE TRUNK AND IT WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY HE HAD A BOTTLE OF WATER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. IN THE PROCESS HE BURNT HIS HAND (MINOR BURN). HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO SHOWED UP AND TOLD HIM THAT THE BATTERY OR WIRING HAD SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED A BATTERY MELTDOWN AND A FIRE IN THE TRUNK. HIS CLOTHES AND SPEAKERS WERE BURNT. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING AT THE DODGE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA LA. DODGE WAS CONTACTED AND SO FAR HAS DENIED ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS CAR IS ONE YEAR OLD. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE LAST YEAR. THIS MAY BE RELATED. I AM AFRAID THAT EVEN WHEN REPAIRED THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND DODGE SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

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