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2015-2018 Dodge Challenger R/T Points of Failure

12K views 28 replies 21 participants last post by  dodge man2  
#1 ·
Newbie here. I've been looking to replace my old 2009 Sonata with something new and I've decided I want some muscle.
I've been mostly drawn towards the Ecoboost Mustang since it has good gas mileage (for a Mustang) and has a good amount of power. However, I've recently been looking at Challenger R/Ts since I've heard they had a feature on the automatics to disable cylinders on the highway to save me some gas money (and Ecoboost Mustangs run like shit on anything that isn't premium gas)
The only thing that has kept me from pulling the trigger is the fact that it is an FCA product. If I recall correctly, FCAs typically have decent powertrains, but have issues related to electronics, various mechanical issues, and just general problems causesd by low quality parts.
I've been wondering about what parts on Challengers are the most common to fail? Are there any OEM parts you guys recommend I swap out with aftermarket parts for reliability's sake to save a potential headache in the future? What maximum mileage do you guys think I should go for if I decide to buy used?
 
#3 ·
Hi, i am sure all car maker have their own problems. I owned a 2010 SRT8 and kept it 5 years. I only had one issue with a bearing in the transmission(M6) The car had less then 6000 KM on it. After that not a single problem. I have my HC for 2 years now and not a single however small problem.

I am sure some will tell you that they had every possible problem with their car. All i can say is that it can happen with every vehicle on the market. The 5,7L and the 6,4L are good motors with great HP and reliability.

I heard story about new Corvette overheating on the first day, i heard Ecoboost having problem in Pickup and Mustangs. All i can say is , if you want one, get one.

Good luck on the decision.
 
#5 ·
I have not had the experiences you are relating to so I really can’t help you. I am sure you could find a nice import to meet your needs.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Welcome! I have driven both (5.7 and 6.4 hemis) very hard.... both have responded with trouble free miles... thousands of cars are built a year, there will be a few duds here and there regardless of brand. Overall, I know of no major (or minor) issues with the 15-18 Challengers... go with your heart and you can't go wrong... no regrets that way....
 
#10 ·
The 5.7 L with A8 will run just fine on 87 octane and gas mileage is excellent for a V8 because of the MDS system and 8 speed trans. An ecoboost Mustang doesn't have that nice V8 rumble that you get with a Challenger. That alone would keep me away from an ecoboost.

I can't comment on points of failure because I haven't found any on the 3 Challengers that I have had. However, I only keep my cars for 1 year so not like a typical owner.
 
#11 ·
Here is my feedback;

2012 RT 6 speed manual Super Track Pack

There are no bad experiences for me

One warranty repair;
Fuel pump was bad, threw codes, with help from folks on this forum I found out that I had two fuel pumps and asked the dealer to replace both. The dealer replaced both, no further issues.

Fuel economy on the highway with an RT can get as high as 28 if you stay around 60 mph consistently. In town expect 18-20.

Mustang or RT, I tested the eco- boost Mustang and have to tell you that it is pathetic. It looks great, but will require serious tuning to run optimally.

Good luck on your decision.
 
#12 ·
I've owned 4 Challengers. Two were 3.6 one a 5.7 and now still own a 3.6 and 6.4. I've had one recall on the first Challenger a 2013 SXT. The alternator was replace under the recall. As far as the other Challengers never had a problem what so ever. Not sure where you are getting information on the parts but it's incorrect for sure!
 
#13 ·
I have owned almost every year model (except 2013) and every engine except for the Hellcat 6.2 and the now Demon V8, -almost completely trouble free!!! However there was the occasional hiccup, I had to replace the water pump on my 2015 Shaker 5.7 at around 28,000 miles, a few NAV 8.4 software issues and that's really it out of 12 Challengers.
 
#16 ·
I just bought my first Challenger RT. I used to own a 2008 Ram with the 5.7. I never had a issue with it. I kept it maintenance wise. I did change out the waterpump, thermostat and hoses plus flushed out the entire system. ( yeah the waterpump was going out). I spent less than $150.00 for parts and fluid. It was the only mechanical problem I had.
 
#19 ·
I've had my 2016 SP A8 for two years 6 months and not one single problem. Actually, one of the better cars I've owned!
 
#21 ·
My 2010 R/T had only one real issue, with the exception of the air bag and timing chain recalls. Of course, with the crappy roads around here, I usually had to do front end repairs annually, but that's not the car's fault.
I had a never able to be solved tiny leak in the evaporative system that seemed to just be unfixible. It caused a CEL and so the remote starter couldn't be used. In the summer, who cares, but in winter, it was beyond annoying. A couple of years ago, they did manage to stop it long enough to get through the worst of winter before the check engine light came back on, but most of the time, the repair lasts less than 2 hours. I wonder if the dealer will solve it before it sells off their used lot?
 
#22 ·
I just traded in a loaded 2016 Mustang GT Premium for a Scat Pack. I hated everything about the mustang. Electronics sucked, the seats weren’t comfortable and the seat belt strangled you, it was the bumpiest and worst riding car I’ve driven, the manual transmission clunked in lower gears every time, the list goes on and on... I had a 2014 Challenger several years ago which I loved, and in 2016 I bought a Charger RT with 75,000 Miles. I put another 50K on it with zero problems. It also looked brand new by the time I sold it. The quality of product FCA is putting out is so far ahead every competitor. Even smaller details, like the thick rubber dash and accents in the cabin. The mustang was essentially all plastic, which did nothing but rattle and clank against eachother anytime you ran over a pebble. Anyways, that’s my very biased opinion. Good luck on the search.