2008 Dodge Challenger: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Dodge Challenger: 3 recalls, 10 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #08V458000 · 2008 · 6,636 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 114, "theft prevention." if the stop/start button is pressed and held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than "park," and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in "park" as a direct result…
Why it matters: This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module so the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the "park" position. The recall began on September 15, 2008.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V444000 · 2015 · 88,460 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V352000 · 2016 · 4,648,270 vehicles
What's wrong: Chrysler (fca us LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 Ram 2500 trucks produced at the st. Louis north assembly plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Ram 1500, 2005-2009 Ram 2500, 2006-2009 Ram 3500, 2007-2010 Ram 3500 cab chassis, 2008-2010 Ram 4500 and 5500 cab chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep wrangler,…
Why it matters: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators May rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and…
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2008 Dodge Challenger has 10 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 16 Challenger model years for complaints (well below the 106 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 39,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (133 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Dodge Challenger.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Dodge Challenger. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Dodge Challenger problems?
Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (4), airbags (4), engine (3).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Challenger get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (6.1 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Dodge Challenger repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.