CarBrief

NHTSA lists 238 owner complaints and 6 recalls for the 2010 Dodge Charger[1][2]. Several of the recalls cover air bag inflators that can rupture, so check the VIN for open recalls[3][4].

238owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
15–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Charger[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 6 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The complaint groups with the most reports:

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles at failure
Electrical System[6] 76 0 3 101,300
Engine[7] 66 0 3 77,622
Air Bags[8] 60 12 0 100,000
Power Train[9] 19 1 2 95,468

Structure, Steering and Fuel/Propulsion System have 10 complaints each[10][11][12]. Air Bags has the most crashes of any group, with 12, and 6 injuries[8].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts from four of these groups. What owners describe in that sample is below. It is not a count of all owners.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 9 describe exhaust or fuel fumes inside the cabin, often while the car idled[7]. Several of those owners say the dealer could not find a cause[7]. Four of the 12 describe the engine stalling[7].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 4 describe ignition trouble, such as the key coming out of the ignition or the car not starting or not shutting off[6]. Two of them name recall 10V200 and say their car was not included in it[6]. Two others describe smoke or burning, one from a shorted alternator[6].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 6 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[8]. The other 6 are owners who were notified of recall 15V313 and say the repair part was not available[8].

Power train. In a sample of 12, about half describe the car stalling, dying or losing power while driving[9]. Four describe transmission or shifter trouble[9]. In one of them the dash showed Park while the car was in Drive[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2010 Charger[2]. Newest first:

The air bag recalls cover many Chrysler and Dodge models. Check the VIN to see which of these are still open on a specific car. In the complaint sample we read, some owners say the repair part for 15V313 was not available when they asked[8].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine, transmission and drive. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 2010.

Engine and drive Transmission City / Hwy / Combined Annual fuel cost
2.7L 6-cyl, rear-wheel[5] Automatic 4-spd 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.5L 6-cyl, rear-wheel[17] Automatic 4-spd 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
3.5L 6-cyl, all-wheel[18] Automatic 5-spd 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
5.7L 8-cyl, rear-wheel[19] Automatic 5-spd 16 / 25 / 19 $3,550
5.7L 8-cyl, all-wheel[20] Automatic 5-spd 16 / 23 / 18 $3,700
6.1L 8-cyl, rear-wheel, premium fuel[21] Automatic 5-spd 13 / 19 / 15 $5,500

The 2.7L gets the best combined number at 21 MPG[5]. The 6.1L gets the lowest at 15 MPG and needs premium fuel[21]. The other engines run on regular[19][17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door rear-wheel and all-wheel drive Charger a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.9%[22].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 5.7L engine at 340 hp and a 6.1L engine at 425 hp in its test data[23][24]. The fuel economy data also lists 2.7L and 3.5L engines[5][17]. Horsepower for those two is not in our data.

Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US cars.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
4-door sedan RWD SE/SXT[25] 200 in 74 in 58 in 120 in 3,790 lb
4-door sedan RWD R/T[26] 200 in 74 in 58 in 120 in 4,101 lb
4-door sedan RWD SRT8[27] 200 in 74 in 58 in 120 in 4,160 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

2006: 1,294 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 570 complaints, 5 recalls2008: 624 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 175 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 238 complaints, 6 recalls23820102011: 699 complaints, 12 recalls2012: 661 complaints, 15 recalls20122013: 367 complaints, 9 recalls2014: 346 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 136 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 182 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 128 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 122 complaints, 6 recalls20182019: 120 complaints, 5 recalls2020: 58 complaints, 3 recalls20202021: 35 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 16 complaints, 3 recalls20222023: 26 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 24 complaints, 3 recalls20242025: 39 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 5 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Charger model year. The 2010 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20061,2945
20075705
20086245
20091756
20102386
201169912
201266115
20133679
201434610
20151367
20161825
20171284
20181226
20191205
2020583
2021352
2022163
2023262
2024243
2025393
202651

The 2010 Charger has 238 complaints and 6 recalls on file[2]. It has fewer complaints than 2006 (1,294), 2007 (570), 2008 (624), 2011 (699), 2012 (661), 2013 (367) and 2014 (346)[2]. It has more than 2009 (175) and more than every year from 2015 on, which range from 0 to 182[2].

Recalls tell a similar story. The 2010 count of 6 matches 2009 and 2018[2]. It is higher than 2006 to 2008 and 2016, 2017 and 2019 and later, which have 1 to 5[2]. It is lower than 2011 (12), 2012 (15), 2013 (9), 2014 (10) and 2015 (7)[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2010 Charger?

The 2010 Charger has fewer complaints than the 2006 to 2008 and 2011 to 2014 model years, but the recall list deserves a close look too[2]. Four of the 6 recalls involve air bag inflators that can rupture, so check the VIN and confirm every air bag recall has been done before you drive or buy[3][13][14][4]. Ask about the ignition module recall too[15]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe fumes in the cabin, stalling and ignition trouble[7][6][9]. Have a mechanic look for those, and expect fuel costs from $3,200 to $5,500 a year depending on the engine[5][21].

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Dodge Charger have recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover air bag inflators, the ignition module and a front wheel spindle nut[3][4][15][16]. Check the VIN to see which are open.
What are the common problems of the 2010 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA has 238 complaints[1]. Electrical System has the most at 76, then Engine at 66 and Air Bags at 60[6][7][8]. In the sample we read, owners describe fumes in the cabin, stalling and ignition trouble[7][6][9].
How many miles per gallon does a 2010 Dodge Charger get?
EPA combined ratings run from 15 MPG for the 6.1L to 21 MPG for the 2.7L[21][5]. The 5.7L rear-wheel drive rates 19 MPG combined[19].
Is the 2010 Charger better than the 2011?
By complaint count, 2010 has 238 and 2011 has 699[2]. By recalls, 2010 has 6 and 2011 has 12[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How big is a 2010 Dodge Charger?
Canadian-market specifications list a length of 200 in, a width of 74 in and a wheelbase of 120 in[26]. Curb weight runs from 3,790 to 4,160 lb depending on the variant[25][27].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 238 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Dodge Charger (14 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 6 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Dodge Charger 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 15V313, filed May 26, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Charger, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 76 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 66 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,622). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 60 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 19 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,468). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,975). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 10 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 18V021, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 16V352, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. 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 Charger, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Charger AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Charger, 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
  20. EPA rating for Charger AWD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Charger, 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
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Dodge Charger with electric motor: rated 340 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2010 Dodge Charger with electric motor: rated 425 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN RWD SE/SXT: length 200 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 3,790 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN RWD R/T: length 200 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,101 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CHARGER 4DR SEDAN RWD SRT8: length 200 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 120 in, curb weight 4,160 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.