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Possible new buyer: Questions about quality.

4K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  VINREDSCAT  
#1 ·
I'm new to Challengers and Dodges in general but am a young 72 yo hot rodder:)

Am looking into a 2023 Challenger, automatic, 5.7 or 6.4. My local dealers are discounting them 8-9K.

I've read on various forums that the build quality on new Challengers is less than stellar, strike issues?

If this is true what years might be better?

What's the general consensus on this forum?

Don't want to buy something new and have the door handles not work(1 internet post)

Thx in advance!
 
#2 · (Edited)
If you look hard enough online, you'll find quality complaints with any make or model. You can even find people complaining about QA issues with Rolls Royce Wraiths or Bugatti Chirons.

It comes down to your level of expectations. Challengers are mid-level quality in terms of fit and finish. You pay a LOT for the high-end touches and even those aren't the greatest. Mechanically, the 5.7L Eagle Hemi's have been around for almost 25 years. The 6.4L Apache Hemi's have been in production since 2015. By model year 2023, any lingering mechanical issues have been addressed on the production line or via recalls, but both engines are as close to bullet proof as you can get in a domestic performance car.

EDIT: The 6.4L Apache Hemi's have been in production since 2015. As correctly noted by @Dodgeguy the 6.4L Apache Hemi has been in production since the 2011 model year (Thanks Corbin!).

The 6.2L Hellcat Hemi was developed in 2013 and came into production in 2015. And yes, Hellcat was the original FCA codename for the new supercharged Hemi, which was later adopted for the car's model name.
 
#4 ·
If you look hard enough online, you'll find quality complaints with any make or model. You can even find people complaining about QA issues with Rolls Royce Wraiths or Bugatti Chirons.

It comes down to your level of expectations. Challengers are mid-level quality in terms of fit and finish. You pay a LOT for the high-end touches and even those aren't the greatest. Mechanically, the 5.7L Eagle Hemi's have been around for almost 25 years. The 6.4L Apache Hemi's have been in production since 2015. By model year 2023, any lingering mechanical issues have been addressed on the production line or via recalls, but both engines are as close to bullet proof as you can get in a domestic performance car.
Just to keep the info correct the 392 was introduced in 2011.
 
#3 ·
Hello and welcome to the Z from Canton, Ohio!
I'm probably not the best one to answer your question concerning quality of the Dodge Challenger.
I've owned mine since 2010 and I have enjoyed every mile. The build quality was up to very good standard as far as I can tell. As wit any model there are some issues. Back in '09 and '10 there were people on the forum who had issues with their sun roofs. Some complained that their front air dam came off at high speed. There were those who said that their stripes were coming off and they decided to paint their's on. Some people complained about pimples in their body paint. Members mentioned issues with rocker panel covers cracking or damaged upon delivery.
These issues came along over a period of time from 2009 until present. But on the whole they were not an issue that Dodge had to do a recall on until the big issue of timing chains breaking in the 5.7L engines used with the automatic transmission and having MDS.
All-in-all the Dodge Challenger, to me, is an engineering marvel.
The evolution of the Dodge Challenger since being released in 2008 has been phenomenal.
Am I being biased, maybe. Lou.
 
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#5 ·
I remember seeing my first 392 in Canton. I was doing work at an intersection and it was a white one with red stripes waiting for the green light. It was ALL business!
 
#7 ·
I own a 2010 with the 5.7, low miles at about 23,000 miles, but it does get driven on a regular basis. We have also owned 3 Chrysler 300c’s, which is really the same car with 4 doors. I replaced a blend door actuator on my Challenger, a set of tie rod ends on one of the 300’s, and an EGR valve on the 2005 300c. They no longer have EGR valves so that’s no longer an issue. The touch screens are known to delaminate and we fixed that on my son’s car for about $25. I do a lot of my own repairs and overall they have been pretty trouble free.
 
#8 ·
My 2 cents from a 71 year old, the Challenger is one of the most comfortable to drive cars, especially on a long trips. Whether the 5.7 or the 6.4 with the automatic 8 speed is marvelous, that 8 speed shifts so smooth and fast you'll love it. I don't think the strike has affected any build quality it just gave the workers a short vacation to rest up. They have too much pride in the car and their work to let that happen.

There are things that can happen to any new car but the problematic issues were really resolved in the earlier years of the Challenger and improved through the years up till the last ones rolled off the line. If I personally had any qualms what so ever, we surely would not have bought a 2nd one of them. :)

We own a 2015 R/T 5.7 A8, (Performance Modified by Me.), and a 2021 G/T 3.6 A8. Ry
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#9 ·
My 2015 Challenger has been great so far but then I've only put about 50,000 km on it. My only complaint/observation is with the upgraded lights and signals comes with an upgraded cost. If your last car was a BMW I suppose you won't notice a thing as far as parts/maintenance/repair bills...if not, strap yourself in. I'm looking at replacing a front turn signal that is out, for this apparently you have to replace the headlight assembly ( dealer part if they have it is $1,500+ CAD if you choose not to do it in pairs) by removing the front bumper. For an older person they likely are the most comfortable of the NA "hot rod"options (mustang, Camaro ,Corvette being the other 3?). You may want to go with a 2021 if you are worried about the later years build quality or you may want to bring someone competent with you to check out the discounted 2023 new one that you are contemplating. If you can find one with your desired paint and options I'd still go with the vetted 2023 over an earlier model though.
 
#10 ·
To date, I have zero issues with my 2023. That’s not to say things couldn’t happen as with any make. As you will be buying one off a lot, you will be able to test drive it and look it over well. Even ask them to put it on a hoist for you and have a good look around. Least they can do IMHO.
 
#12 ·
Go to the lot, or Craigslist and drive a Challenger with 50k miles on it. By me there are MANY 2 or 3 year old Challenger with 50k miles on them. Then you can make up your own mind about build quality.

What sold me was:
1. I rented a 2020 Challenger in 2021 that had 24k miles on it. Drove like new which I thought was pretty good for a rental(5.7L).
2. The nondented used Challengers I drove(ones that looked cared for) with 50k miles also drove well.
 
#15 ·
Just a snapshot of the landscape, but my 21' SPWB M6 Shaker has been trouble free. While I have only 6K miles on the clock, I don't baby it and use it for what it is, a modern muscle car. I would buy one again in a minute. No regrets except I wish I could afford a Hellcat to go with it! ;)
 
#16 ·
As far as recalls or technical service bulletins on my 2022, the door panels have come off, the front brakes click badly due to some retainer being wrong, and it has a hot start issue that has been noted and not resolved yet due to the weather.
Quality is as you'd expect for a typical domestic. The Challenger is NOT a 2019+ RAM or Jeep by any shot. Those are head and shoulders above for fit & finish, material quality and amenities.
You will be greeted by acres of grey plastic, cheap leather, trim that creaks and body panels that don't quite line up right.

In the end, these cars are built to a budget that is not reflected in the sticker price these days.
 
#19 ·
I feel like, if the Challenger hadn't been doomed since about 2015 when it was last refreshed, an update that included the 2019 updates to Ram/Jeep would have made it a real swanky luxo-barge.
Bring in the 10.1" screen, real leather on surfaces, modern seats and eliminate everything from 2008 and it would have been great. The cars are already priced as if they are modern, instead of 5-15 years old.
 
#21 ·
According to what I could find, a 2023 R/T 5.7L Challenger with the A8 transmission does have the limited slip (anti-spin) differential. A quick visual inspection of the rear end can confirm this. If it has cooling fins, it is limited slip. If it does not, it is an open differential.

"Fire up our 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Coupe in Granite, and you're free to push your limits! Motivated by a 5.7 Liter HEMI V8 that serves up 375hp to an 8 Speed Automatic transmission for impressive sound and fury. This Rear Wheel Drive rocket also showcases a limited-slip rear differential."
 
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#22 ·
I own a 2010 with the 5.7 and I’ve modded it where it made about 370 hp at the rear wheels. The cars have an independent rear suspension and that helps it hook up and put the power to both rear tires. That said it’s not as good as a limited slip rear end. I’ve found it will usually spin both tires but I’ve also launched really hard and you think your going to have an awesome hole shot when suddenly just one tire starts to spin.