Selling a wrecked, dead or tired Dodge Challenger

A crashed, burned or simply worn-out Challenger can go as one piece. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and you sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Every Challenger count here is an owner complaint NHTSA received up to October 10, 2026. They are reports, not test results. A 2022 Challenger has been on the road far fewer years than a 2010, so it has had less time to draw them. Lots of campaigns span more than one year, which pushes the recall column total past 33.

Recall vehicle counts below are whole-campaign numbers. Nearly every Challenger campaign also covers the Charger, the Chrysler 300 or other Stellantis models, so none of those counts is the Challenger's alone.

Problems by stretch of years

All of these cars are the third generation, which Wikipedia dates 2008-2023. Its design took cues from the 1970 Challenger R/T. Stellantis said in November 2021 that 2023 would be the last model year, and production ended December 22, 2023.

2008-2010: the air bag years

Air bags lead the complaints on all three: 4 on the 2008, 40 on the 2009 and 73 on the 2010, the year with the most complaints overall. Recall 15V444 replaces the dual-stage driver air bag on 2008-2010 Challengers built September 19, 2007 to October 29, 2010; the campaign lists 88,460 vehicles. Recall 16V352, for passenger inflators, covers 2008-2012 Challengers inside a campaign of 4,648,270 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles.

The 2010 also has recall 10V200, for a wireless ignition node module, and 10V475, for power steering pressure hoses.

2011-2014: electrical takes over

Electrical complaints jump: 86 on the 2011, 122 on the 2012, 89 on the 2013 and 52 on the 2014. Three alternator recalls sit in that window. Recall 14V634 replaces the alternator on 2011-2014 cars, in a 435,081-vehicle campaign. Recall 17V435 inspects it again on the same years and replaces it by part number. Recall 17V741 covers 2014 cars with the 3.6L engine and the 160 amp alternator.

Recall 13V103 is another DO NOT DRIVE: the battery positive cable at the starter on 4,051 V6 cars built December 3, 2012 through January 24, 2013. Air bags stay in the picture too. Recall 13V118 replaces seat air bag wiring on 2011-2012 cars. Recalls 18V021 (2009-2013, in certain states) and 19V018 (2010-2014) replace passenger air bag inflators.

2015-2023: fewer complaints, smaller recalls

Complaints fall from 126 on the 2015 to 9 on the 2022, then rise to 43 on the 2023, where wipers lead. Recall 15V461 mailed owners a USB drive with a radio software update. Under recall 21V516, 2020-2021 cars get their windshield sealant redone, since the glass may not have been bonded right at the factory. Recalls 22V504 and 22V808 cover 2022 cars whose tire pressure sensor batteries may fail early. Dealers inspect the sensors and replace them as needed. Eighteen more campaigns in NHTSA's list are not described here.

Fix the Challenger, or sell it?

Price the repair in writing, then find what a fixed Challenger like yours brings. When the two numbers get close, selling as it sits usually wins.

1. Check the Challenger's VIN for open recalls at NHTSA, with special care on the air bag inflators. The open recall guide covers what to ask a dealer.
2. Bags already deployed? Read airbags deployed and wrecked or totaled before you pay for a rebuild.
3. Battery light or no charge? The 2011-2014 alternator campaigns are the first thing to rule out. Then see electrical problems.
4. Engine knocking or gone? See blown engine.

Selling a Challenger whole

1. Have ready: VIN, mileage, engine, and what happened to the car.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where the Challenger is parked and if it can roll and steer. A wrecked Challenger with a bent wheel or a flat may need to be winched, so tell us. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Keep it in one piece. Wondering whether to pull the engine and sell the rest? Read part it out or sell it whole first. Missing parts change the offer.
5. On pickup day, the title gets signed over and you show ID. Plate rules are by state; after you sell lists them.

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