DODGE CHARGER AWD · model year

2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD

27 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008DODGECHARGER AWD carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 CHARGER AWD is electrical system with 6 filings, followed by engine (5) and electronic stability control (esc) (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 2008 CHARGER AWD, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

27
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

27 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
POWER TRAIN2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SEATS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
STEERING1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20190114ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I CAN PUT THE KEY IN THE STARTER I'M TURNING IT OVER NOVI TRUCK IS RUNNING TO MY GAS PUMP OR MY SPEEDOMETER OR MY RADIO

20190114ENGINE

I CAN PUT THE KEY IN THE STARTER I'M TURNING IT OVER NOVI TRUCK IS RUNNING TO MY GAS PUMP OR MY SPEEDOMETER OR MY RADIO

20190114FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I CAN PUT THE KEY IN THE STARTER I'M TURNING IT OVER NOVI TRUCK IS RUNNING TO MY GAS PUMP OR MY SPEEDOMETER OR MY RADIO

20181011UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BLADE ON THE FAN BLADE BROKE OFF,AND STUCK A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD THIS NOISE,SMOKE STARTED COMING THRU THE VENT IN THE CAR

Mileage: 168,000

20180913ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I DRIVE TO WORK EVERY DAY AND I CAN FEEL MY CAR SHACKING WHILE I HAVE THE CAR ON DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY VEHICLE SLIDING OF THE ROAD WITH OUT CONTROL. ALSO MY BREAKS HAS LOST CONTROL ON ME WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THESE ISSUES IM EXPERIENCING ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING MY VEHICLE EVEN IF IM DRIVING SLOW. THE LAST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 9/12/18, BUT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE ISSUES ARE NOT REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CONSIDERED AS A RECALL.

20180913VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I DRIVE TO WORK EVERY DAY AND I CAN FEEL MY CAR SHACKING WHILE I HAVE THE CAR ON DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY VEHICLE SLIDING OF THE ROAD WITH OUT CONTROL. ALSO MY BREAKS HAS LOST CONTROL ON ME WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THESE ISSUES IM EXPERIENCING ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING MY VEHICLE EVEN IF IM DRIVING SLOW. THE LAST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 9/12/18, BUT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE ISSUES ARE NOT REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CONSIDERED AS A RECALL.

20180913STEERING

I DRIVE TO WORK EVERY DAY AND I CAN FEEL MY CAR SHACKING WHILE I HAVE THE CAR ON DRIVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY VEHICLE SLIDING OF THE ROAD WITH OUT CONTROL. ALSO MY BREAKS HAS LOST CONTROL ON ME WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. THESE ISSUES IM EXPERIENCING ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL DRIVING MY VEHICLE EVEN IF IM DRIVING SLOW. THE LAST OCCURRENCE HAPPENED 9/12/18, BUT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE ISSUES ARE NOT REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CONSIDERED AS A RECALL.

20180824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IF THE IGNITION STAYS BETWEEN "START" AND "ON" POSITIONS IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CERTAIN ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS. IF THE IGNITION KEY INADVERTENTLY MOVES INTO THE "OFF" OR "ACCESSORY" POSITION, THE ENGINE WILL TURN OFF, WHICH WILL THEN DEPOWER VARIOUS KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO AIR BAGS, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKING. LOSS OF FUNCTIONALITY OF THESE SYSTEMS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF CRASH AND/OR INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Mileage: 184,000

20160802UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY ACCELERATOR STUCK COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IT GOT FASTER AND FASTER AS I TRIED TO STOP IT I HAD TO HIT EMERGENCY BREAKS TO STOP WAS SLIDING AS I TRIED TO STOP. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH NO CARS NEAR BY I WAS VERY BLESSED THAN I PANTED. I WAS PUSHING BREAKS AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING.

20150901UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR HAS BEEN STICKING IN THE START POSITION FOR MONTHS NOW. IF I DON'T WIGGLE THE KEY A BIT TO THE LEFT IT WOULD STAY IN THE START POSITION. LAST MONDAY MY KEY HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHILE I TRY TO POSITION IT IN PARK. IM FORCED TO KEEP STARTING THE CAR AND MOVING IT TO TRY TO SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS HAPPENS MANY TIMES A DAY AND IM VERY CONCERNED. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED REPLACEMENT PARTS BUT IS UNSURE WHEN THEY WILL BE IN. HE SAID MAYBE A FEW WEEKS, BUT COULD MAKE NO PROMISES. I TOLD HIM OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE KEY STICKING IN THE IGNITION AND HE HAD NO ANSWER FOR ME. IM AFRAID ILL BURN OUT THE STARTER WHILE I WAIT FOR PARTS. IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO ME AND I FEEL THEY SHOULD OFFER ME A RENTAL UNTIL THE CAR IS SAFELY FIXED.

Mileage: 120,000

20150120ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND MORE SO NOW IN THE COLDER WEATHER, THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL COMES ON EITHER AT START UP OR BETWEEN 10-35 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, POWER IMMEDIATELY GOES TO NOTHING CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE. THE ABS LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE BAS LIGHT, ARE ALSO NOW ON. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20150120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND MORE SO NOW IN THE COLDER WEATHER, THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL COMES ON EITHER AT START UP OR BETWEEN 10-35 MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, POWER IMMEDIATELY GOES TO NOTHING CAUSING THE CAR TO DIE. THE ABS LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE BAS LIGHT, ARE ALSO NOW ON. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

20141119ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN MY 2008 DODGE CHARGER STARTED WANTING TO CUT OFF AS IF WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS THEN ALL AT ONCE CAR JUST CUTS OFF IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. THE CHARGER WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP, TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID MOTOR JUST WENT OUT, AND ALSO SOMETIMES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT WANTING TO CUT ON PUT THE KEY IN AND TURN TO ON AND NOTHING LIGHTS WOULD JUST COME ON I ALWAYS KEEP MY OIL CHANGES ON TIME FROM WHAT I BEEN READING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS ALOT OF PROBLEMS SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET THESE VEHICLES FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20141119ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN MY 2008 DODGE CHARGER STARTED WANTING TO CUT OFF AS IF WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS THEN ALL AT ONCE CAR JUST CUTS OFF IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. THE CHARGER WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP, TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID MOTOR JUST WENT OUT, AND ALSO SOMETIMES I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT WANTING TO CUT ON PUT THE KEY IN AND TURN TO ON AND NOTHING LIGHTS WOULD JUST COME ON I ALWAYS KEEP MY OIL CHANGES ON TIME FROM WHAT I BEEN READING THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS ALOT OF PROBLEMS SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET THESE VEHICLES FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20140424VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1. THERE IS A LIGHTBOLT LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP AND FLASHES ON MY DASHBOARD THE INSTANT WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DAY. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ENGINE TO HEAT UP A LITTLE BEFORE I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. 2. AS I DRIVE AND GO ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT ANYTIME THAT MY RPM REACHES 3, THE LIGHTBOLT LIGHT FLASHES AGAIN AND I LOOSE POWER IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN DOWN TO AT LEAST 45 MPH, IF I GO OVER A BUMP DURING THIS CYCLE, THE VTC LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AND THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKES. I PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE CAR AND THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF. EVENTUALLY, IF THE LIGHTBOLT CONTINUES TO FLASH AND I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTS TO CHOKE AND EVENTUALLY SHUTS OFF. *TR

Mileage: 103,227

20140424ENGINE

1. THERE IS A LIGHTBOLT LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP AND FLASHES ON MY DASHBOARD THE INSTANT WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DAY. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ENGINE TO HEAT UP A LITTLE BEFORE I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. 2. AS I DRIVE AND GO ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT ANYTIME THAT MY RPM REACHES 3, THE LIGHTBOLT LIGHT FLASHES AGAIN AND I LOOSE POWER IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN DOWN TO AT LEAST 45 MPH, IF I GO OVER A BUMP DURING THIS CYCLE, THE VTC LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AND THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKES. I PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE CAR AND THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF. EVENTUALLY, IF THE LIGHTBOLT CONTINUES TO FLASH AND I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTS TO CHOKE AND EVENTUALLY SHUTS OFF. *TR

Mileage: 103,227

20140424ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1. THERE IS A LIGHTBOLT LIGHT THAT LIGHTS UP AND FLASHES ON MY DASHBOARD THE INSTANT WHEN I TURN ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DAY. I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ENGINE TO HEAT UP A LITTLE BEFORE I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. 2. AS I DRIVE AND GO ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT ANYTIME THAT MY RPM REACHES 3, THE LIGHTBOLT LIGHT FLASHES AGAIN AND I LOOSE POWER IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN DOWN TO AT LEAST 45 MPH, IF I GO OVER A BUMP DURING THIS CYCLE, THE VTC LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP AND THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE AS I PRESS ON THE BRAKES. I PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTART THE CAR AND THE LIGHT SHUTS OFF. EVENTUALLY, IF THE LIGHTBOLT CONTINUES TO FLASH AND I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTS TO CHOKE AND EVENTUALLY SHUTS OFF. *TR

Mileage: 103,227

20140218ENGINE

THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM MY CAR, I THEN HAD PLACED CAR INTO BE SERVICE TO CHECK OUT KNOCKING. ONCE THE TOP OF ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN, THEY FOUND THE PIN TO THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED AND CALL DODGE DEALER TO ORDER PART AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH DODGE 3.5 V-6 ENGINE. PARTS WHERE AROUND 800 AND TOTAL BILL WAS AROUND 1200. UPON PICKING UP CAR LEARNED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER DODGE IN THE REPAIR SHOP BEING FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHOP OWNER INFOR ME THE AFTER THEY CHECKED INTO IT. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINES. AND STATED WHEN THE CALLED THE DEALER FOR THE PART, THE PARTS DEPARTMENT KNEW JUST WHAT PART THEY NEEDED AND DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO LOOK THE PART UP, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS A EVERY EXPENSIVE FIX THAT DODGE SHOULD MAKE RIGHT AND REPLACE THESE PARTS THAT FAIL REPEATEDLY IN THESE ENGINES. THE WORSE PART IS DODGE KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PARTS DEPARTMENT DIDN'T EVEN H

Mileage: 65,000

20130823ENGINE

THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE CAME BACK ON. *TR

Mileage: 91,818

20130823ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE CAME BACK ON. *TR

Mileage: 91,818

Compare 2008DODGECHARGER AWD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD have?
The 2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD has 27 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD?
The most-complained component for the 2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Is the 2008 DODGE CHARGER AWD safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.