The 2018 Charger LX platform is fundamentally solid but shows critical weaknesses in transmission oil cooling and catastrophic Hemi engine failures tied to lifter/cam issues. V6 models are generally more reliable, while Hemi variants (especially 5.7L and 6.4L) face expensive internal engine failures at surprisingly low mileage.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (8-Speed ZF)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warning, Harsh shifting or delayed engagement, Metal contamination in fluid, Complete transmission failure if not caught early
Fix: Replace oil cooler assembly and flush transmission system thoroughly. If metal debris circulated, full transmission rebuild or replacement required. 4-6 hours labor for cooler only, 12-18 hours for transmission R&R.
Symptoms: Cold-start ticking/tapping that persists, MDS activation roughness (cylinder deactivation), Metal shavings in oil, Check engine light with misfire codes, Catastrophic engine failure with rod knock
Fix: Roller lifters fail, wipe camshaft lobes, send debris through oil system damaging bearings. Requires complete engine teardown: camshaft, all lifters, bearings inspection, often pistons/rings. Many shops recommend short block or complete engine. 20-30 hours labor minimum.
Driveshaft Center Support Bearing Failure (AWD models)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Vibration under acceleration around 40-60 mph, Clunking from underneath when engaging drive, Rumbling noise that changes with speed
Fix: Center carrier bearing wears out, driveshaft becomes unbalanced. Replace center support bearing assembly and inspect U-joints. Some require full driveshaft replacement if splines are worn. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Fuel Pump Control Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start with full tank of gas, Intermittent stalling at any speed, Engine dies and won't restart until cool, No fuel pressure at rail
Fix: Module mounted to fuel tank fails, cuts power to pump. Often misdiagnosed as fuel pump itself. Replace control module, accessed by dropping tank or through trunk access panel on some models. 1.5-2.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Front Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh clunk when shifting from park to drive, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive driveline movement visible from underneath
Symptoms: Intermittent backup camera display, Screen shows 'camera unavailable', Works when dry, fails when wet
Fix: Wiring harness behind taillight or at trunk hinge corrodes. Related to NHTSA recall but not all units covered. Trace wiring, repair/replace affected sections, reseal connections. 1-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $150-350
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 60,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claim — prevents cooler and valve body issues
On Hemi engines, use quality full-synthetic oil and change every 5,000 miles maximum to delay lifter failure
Disable MDS (cylinder deactivation) with tuner if keeping long-term — reduces lifter stress significantly
Inspect driveshaft center bearing on AWD models during every alignment or suspension work
Buy a V6 model if you want reliable transportation; avoid used Hemis unless full engine service history is documented and you budget $5K for eventual valve train work.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · 20V512000
2020-08-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit vehicles equipped with a "stealth mode." When stealth mode is selected, the backup camera rearview image will not display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: The lack of a back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update body control module software to disable stealth mode when the vehicle is shifted into "Reverse", free of charge. The recall began October 22, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W62.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V332000
2018-05-17
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 18V280000
2018-05-01
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Consequence: If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 18V281000
2018-05-01
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
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