2013 Dodge CHALLENGER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Dodge CHALLENGER has 251 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 received a call from the car dealer (darcars chrysler jeep of rockville, md) that i purchased my vehicle from on 19 march 2013. i was told that my car was recalled for a safety issue. the problem is the engine starter positive terminal on my vehicle could short to ground and cause an electrical . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.
251
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
2.2x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
104 complaints- • I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CAR DEALER (DARCARS CHRYSLER JEEP OF ROCKVILLE, MD) THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM ON 19 MARCH 2013. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE STARTER POSITIVE TERMINAL ON MY VEHICLE COULD SHORT TO GROUND AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL
- • WONDER WHY IS IT THAT YOUR WEBSITE 7 DAYS AFTER RECALL HAS NOTHING TO VIEW OF THE RECALL OF 4459 VEHICLES WITH APPROX. 2500 EFFECTED, 7 FIRES (NO INJURIES). *TR
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:13V103000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE RECALL RE
“I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CAR DEALER (DARCARS CHRYSLER JEEP OF ROCKVILLE, MD) THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM ON 19 MARCH 2013. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE STARTER POSITIVE TERMINAL ON MY VEHICLE COULD SHORT TO GROUND AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Dodge CHALLENGER
Based on 158 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
SPEED CONTROL
BODY/STRUCTURE
BRAKES
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 (5)
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
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
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 2013 Dodge CHALLENGER
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Dodge CHALLENGER
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Dodge New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Dodge. If you're buying a used 2013 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 251 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE CAR DEALER (DARCARS CHRYSLER JEEP OF ROCKVILLE, MD) THAT I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM ON 19 MARCH 2013. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE STARTER POSITIVE TERMINAL ON MY VEHICLE COULD SHORT TO GROUND AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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 PO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WAS TRAVELLING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 55 TO 60 MPH, BEGAN TO GENTLY ACCELERATE TO PASS CAR GOING IN SAME DIRECTION ON FREEWAY. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED RAPIDLY, BUT CAR DID NOT SPEED UP, THEN SUDDENLY IT APPEARED TO SLAM INTO GEAR. PERSON TRAVELLING IN PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN TO LOOK ALL AROU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 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 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 251
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 14
- Crash reports
- 5
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 115
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Dodge CHALLENGER