CarBrief

NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Dodge Challenger[1], and four recalls cover it[2]. Electrical complaints lead the list[3], and the recalls include alternators that can fail and an air bag inflator that could explode[4][5].

149owner complaints[1]
4recalls[2]
17–21MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Dodge Challenger[1]. Of those, 16 mention a crash and 5 mention a fire, and 16 injuries are reported[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

Here is how the complaints split by component group[3][8][9][10][11][12][13]:

We read a small sample of 12 complaint texts from each of four groups[3][8][9][10]. The themes below describe only those samples. They do not tell you how common a problem is.

Electrical system. In the sample, 8 of 12 texts are about waiting for the alternator recall repair, and owners describe dealers saying the part was not available[3]. Others describe the car losing electrical function or stalling.

Engine. Owners in the sample describe a ticking noise in 5 of 12 texts, and 3 of those say the dealer called it normal[8]. Another 4 of 12 describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving[8].

Steering. In 5 of 12 sampled texts, owners describe steering that turns stiffly or becomes hard to turn, especially to the left[9].

Air bags. In 8 of 12 sampled texts, owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[10]. The air bag group has the most crashes and injuries of any group listed above, but that is a count of reports, not proof of cause in any one crash.

Recalls

Four recalls in our data cover the 2014 Challenger. They are listed newest first. Each one says the repair is free at a dealer.

Whether a recall applies to a specific car depends on its engine, alternator and build date.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists five versions of the 2014 Challenger. Fuel economy drops as the engine gets bigger.

Engine and transmission Fuel City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[6] Midgrade 18 / 27 / 21 $3,600
5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[16] Midgrade 15 / 24 / 18 $4,200
5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[17] Premium 15 / 23 / 18 $4,550
SRT8 6.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[18] Premium 14 / 23 / 17 $4,850
SRT8 6.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[19] Premium 14 / 23 / 17 $4,850

All five are rear-wheel drive[6][16][17][18][19]. The EPA fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2-door rear-wheel-drive Challenger 5 stars overall[7]. Frontal and side crash ratings are each 5 stars[7]. The rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 11.1%[7].

Engine and size

The EPA lists two engine ratings for the 2014 Challenger. The 5.7L 8-cylinder is rated at 370 to 375 hp depending on version[20]. The 6.4L 8-cylinder is rated at 460 to 470 hp depending on version[21].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. All three versions listed share the same length, width, height and wheelbase. Length is 198 in, width is 76 in, height is 57 in and wheelbase is 116 in[22][23][24]. Curb weight differs:

Version Curb weight
SXT / SXT Plus / Rally R[24] 3,834 lb
R/T / R/T Classic[22] 4,083 lb
SRT[23] 4,169 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2008: 10 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 133 complaints, 7 recalls2010: 299 complaints, 7 recalls20102011: 193 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 253 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 179 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 149 complaints, 4 recalls14920142015: 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 2014 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2008103
20091337
20102997
20111936
20122536
20131795
20141494
20151265
2016781
2017493
2018753
2019593
2020201
2021192
202292
2023432

The 2014 Challenger has 149 complaints and 4 recalls on file with NHTSA[2]. Four earlier model years have more complaints. 2010 has 299, 2012 has 253, 2011 has 193 and 2013 has 179[2]. Every later year has fewer, from 126 for 2015 down to 9 for 2022[2].

On recalls, 2009 and 2010 have 7 each, 2011 and 2012 have 6 each, and 2013 and 2015 have 5 each[2]. The 2014 model year has 4[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show how much was reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2014 Challenger?

The record has real items to check. Electrical complaints lead at 62[3], and three alternator recalls could apply depending on the engine and alternator[14][15][5]. The passenger air bag inflator recall tells owners not to drive until it is fixed[4]. Before you buy, ask for proof that every recall that applies to the car was completed. Complaints are owner reports and not verified, so use them as a checklist and not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Dodge Challenger?
Among the 149 NHTSA complaints[1], the electrical system has the most at 62[3]. Engine has 38[8] and steering has 20[9]. These are unverified owner reports.
Has the 2014 Dodge Challenger been recalled?
Yes. Four recalls are on file: 19V018 for the passenger air bag inflator[4], 17V741[14], 17V435[15] and 14V634[5] for alternators that can fail and stall the car.
What is the gas mileage of a 2014 Dodge Challenger?
The EPA combined rating is 21 MPG for the 3.6L automatic[6], 18 for the 5.7L[16][17] and 17 for the SRT8 6.4L[18][19].
How does the 2014 Challenger rate for safety?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[7].
Is 2014 a good year for the Dodge Challenger?
Four earlier years have more complaints than 2014's 149, and every later year has fewer[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are only a rough guide.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Dodge Challenger (16 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Challenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 62 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,127). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 19V018, filed January 15, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V634, filed October 8, 2014: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Challenger, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 38 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 20 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 18 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,200). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,327). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 17V741, filed November 21, 2017: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V435, filed July 10, 2017: Electrical System › Alternator / Generator / Regulator. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Midgrade, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Challenger, 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Challenger SRT8, 6.4L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Dodge Challenger with 5.7L 8-cylinder: rated 370 to 375 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Dodge Challenger with 6.4L 8-cylinder: rated 460 to 470 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD R/T/R/T CLASSIC: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,083 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD SRT: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 4,169 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHALLENGER 2DR COUPE RWD SXT/SXT PLUS/RALLY R: length 198 in, width 76 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 3,834 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.