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Dodge

2011 Dodge CHALLENGER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Dodge CHALLENGER has 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 115. The most common issue is electrical problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: i drive a 2011 dodge challenger srt-8. it has only 300 miles on it. i was driving it off the highway and was making a right turn off the exit. suddenly the vehicles engine and electrical power all shutdown. luckily the car behind me swerved out of the way or we both surely would of died. i could not. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 7 crash reports 6 injuries

255

Total Complaints

6

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

104 complaints
41%
  • • I DRIVE A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8. IT HAS ONLY 300 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF THE EXIT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER ALL SHUTDOWN. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY OR WE BOTH SURELY WOULD OF DIED. I COULD NOT
  • • STARTED AT ABOUT TWO TO THREE MONTHS WHILE STOPPED TO MAKE TURN, THE COMPUTER RESET. IT NOTED TIRE PRESSURE LOW AND AIR BAG LIGHT. THIS COMPUTER PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT TIMES. ALSO, AT LEAST SIX TO EIGHT TIMES, THE CAR WILL NOT DETECT KEY FOB AND THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIM
  • • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“I DRIVE A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8. IT HAS ONLY 300 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF THE EXIT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER ALL SHUTDOWN. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY OR WE BOTH SURELY WOULD OF DIED. I COULD NOT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Dodge CHALLENGER

Based on 197 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 53K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
34
30-60K
81
60-100K
62
100-150K
17
150-200K
3
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 44K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
5
60-100K
7
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 22K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 33K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 81 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
37
60-100K
26
100-150K
7
150-200K
1
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 57K mi · 15 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
8
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
6
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

High theft risk

#24 most stolen in 2025

The Dodge CHALLENGER was the #24 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Muscle car; engine and body parts

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Dodge CHALLENGER

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,527
Per month
$211
Per mile
21.1¢
MPG
19
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,201/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Dodge CHALLENGER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$2,536
Full coverage / month
$211
Liability only / year
$794
vs US avg
+51%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (coupe-muscle)1.55x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$2536

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2011 CHALLENGER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Dodge dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
STEERING(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 255 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ☐
    ELECTRICAL: I DRIVE A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT-8. IT HAS ONLY 300 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF THE EXIT. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLES ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER ALL SHUTDOWN. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY OR WE BOTH SURELY WOULD OF DIED. I COULD NOT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    AIR BAGS: THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WERE AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DEPLOY AIRBAG. THIS CAN BE TURNED OFF BY WIGGLING A WIRE AND CONNECTOR UNDER THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE LIGHT AND DISABLING OF THE AIRBAG HAPPEN AT RANDOM TIMES AND ANY TIME YOU I

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    FUEL SYSTEM: WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED AND ALL SYSTEMS WENT DEAD. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND INTO A SAFE AREA. AFTER BEING TESTED BY MECHANIC, HE SAID THE EDM HAD A STORED FAULT WITH THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR HOWEVER NO CURRENT FAULT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ☐
    RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Dodge dealer
  • ☐
    General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Dodge CHALLENGER — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2023
49Above Average
2022
11Excellent Reliability
2021
26Excellent Reliability
2020
33Excellent Reliability
2019
93Average
2018
115Average
2017
70Above Average
2016
109Average
2015
185Average
2014
213Below Average
2013
251Below Average
2012
338Avoid This Year
2011
255Below Average
2010
433Avoid This Year
Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
255
Recalls
6
Fire reports
10
Crash reports
7
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
115

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Dodge CHALLENGER

Compare With

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