CarBrief

The 2010 Challenger has more owner complaints on file with NHTSA than any other Challenger year, 299 in all[1][2]. It also has seven recalls, and four of them involve air bag inflators[3][4][5][6].

299owner complaints[1]
7recalls[2]
15–20MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 299 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, four a fire and 13 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, one complaint can name several components, and counts are not adjusted for sales.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[8] 106 32,656
Air bags[9] 75 50,500
Electrical system[10] 68 48,000
Power train[11] 36 17,522
Steering[12] 33 35,973
Brakes[13] 30 36,236

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, all 12 describe the engine stalling or shutting off, often at low speed, in a turn or while coming to a stop. Several owners say the oil light came on and that steering and brakes felt heavy until they shifted to Park and restarted[8]. None of the 106 engine complaints reports a crash, fire or injury[8].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, nine describe the car shutting off while driving, much like the engine reports[10]. Others describe a heater and air conditioning failure, a loud engine noise, and a recall part that was not available[10]. Three of the 68 electrical complaints mention fires[10].

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, nine describe stalling or shutting off, several of them in turns or at low speed[11]. The rest describe gear or acceleration trouble and a broken timing chain.[11]. The median mileage here, 17,522, is the lowest of the groups above[11].

Air bags. The 75 air bag complaints include 8 crashes and 11 injuries, the most of any group[9]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, five say the air bag did not deploy in a crash, and six say the owner got a recall notice for 15V444 but was told the repair part was not available[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists seven recalls for this model year, newest first. Some cover many models, and each applies to this car because it is in our data.

Before buying, ask the seller for proof that each recall was done, or check the car's VIN with NHTSA.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine. Fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine City / Hwy / Combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[7] 17 / 25 / 20 Regular $3,350
5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[17] 16 / 25 / 19 Regular $3,550
5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[18] 15 / 24 / 18 Regular $3,700
6.1L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[19] 14 / 22 / 16 Premium $5,150
6.1L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[20] 13 / 19 / 15 Premium $5,500

All versions are rear-wheel drive[17][19][18][7][20]. EPA's annual fuel cost for the 6.1L cars is $5,150 to $5,500, against $3,550 to $3,700 for the 5.7L cars[17][19][18][20].

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2-door rear-wheel-drive Challenger as not rated[21]. That means there is no crash-test star score to compare.

Engine and size

EPA test car listings give these horsepower ratings: 250 hp for the 3.5L 6-cylinder[22], 340 hp for the 5.7L[23] and 425 hp for the 6.1L[24].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars. All three versions share the same length, width, height and wheelbase[25][26][27].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
SE / SXT[26] 198 in 76 in 57 in 116 in 3,721 lb
R/T[25] 198 in 76 in 57 in 116 in 4,041 lb
SRT8[27] 198 in 76 in 57 in 116 in 4,140 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2008: 10 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 133 complaints, 7 recalls2010: 299 complaints, 7 recalls29920102011: 193 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 253 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 179 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 149 complaints, 4 recalls20142015: 126 complaints, 5 recalls2016: 78 complaints, 1 recalls20162017: 49 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 75 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 59 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 20 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 19 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 9 complaints, 2 recalls20222023: 43 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Challenger model year. The 2010 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2008103
20091337
20102997
20111936
20122536
20131795
20141494
20151265
2016781
2017493
2018753
2019593
2020201
2021192
202292
2023432

NHTSA's year-by-year counts for the Challenger put 2010 at the top for complaints, with 299[2]. The next highest are 2012 with 253 and 2011 with 193[2]. For recalls, 2010 has seven, tied with 2009, and no other year has more[2]. The 2009 model year has 133 complaints[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold in each year, so treat this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2010 Challenger?

This model year has a heavy complaint record and a long recall list, so go in with a checklist. Confirm that all four air bag inflator recalls were completed, since each warns of serious injury or death if the inflator fails[3][4][5][6]. Ask about stalling, which owners describe in samples of engine, electrical and power train complaints[8][10][11]. Fuel cost depends a lot on the engine, from $3,350 to $5,500 a year by EPA's estimate[7][20]. The car is not rated by NHTSA for crash safety[21]. A pre-purchase inspection and a recall check by VIN are sensible steps.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Dodge Challenger?
Engine is the largest complaint group at 106 of 299 complaints[1][8]. In a sample of engine complaints we read, all 12 describe stalling or shutting off[8]. Air bag complaints number 75[9].
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have?
NHTSA lists seven, including four air bag inflator recalls, a power steering hose recall, an ignition module recall and a wheel spindle nut recall[3][4][5][6][14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of the 2010 Dodge Challenger?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 MPG (6.1L automatic) to 20 MPG (3.5L automatic)[7][20].
Is the 2010 Challenger a bad year compared with other years?
It has the most complaints of any Challenger year on file, 299, and ties 2009 for the most recalls at seven[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How much horsepower does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have?
EPA lists 250 hp for the 3.5L, 340 hp for the 5.7L and 425 hp for the 6.1L[22][23][24].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 299 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Dodge Challenger (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Challenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 18V021, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 15V444, filed July 10, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Challenger, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 106 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,656). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 75 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 68 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 36 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,522). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 33 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,973). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 30 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,236). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 10V475, filed October 7, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V200, filed May 11, 2010: Electrical System › Ignition › Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V420, filed October 29, 2009: Wheels › Lugs / Nuts / Bolts / Studs. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Challenger, 6.1L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 22 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Challenger, 6.1L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Dodge Challenger with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Dodge Challenger with electric motor: rated 340 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Dodge Challenger with electric motor: rated 425 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD R/T: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,041 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD SE / SXT: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 3,721 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD SRT8: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,140 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.