The 2013 Charger is a solid full-size sedan when properly maintained, but the 5.7L Hemi has a serious cam/lifter defect that can grenade the engine, and all models share transmission cooler and torque converter failures that demand attention before catastrophic damage occurs.
5.7L Hemi MDS Camshaft and Lifter Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise from engine, especially at idle when warm, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes (P0300-P0308), Rough idle, hesitation, or loss of power, Metal shavings in oil filter during oil changes
Fix: The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifters fail and wipe out cam lobes. Requires complete engine teardown: camshaft, all 16 lifters, pushrods, oil pump, timing components. If caught late, metal debris contaminates bearings requiring full rebuild or shortblock. 18-25 hours labor for cam/lifter job, 30-40 hours for shortblock.
Estimated cost: $4,000-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Internal Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid (coolant contamination), Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or shuddering, Overheating transmission temp warnings, Coolant level dropping without external leaks
Fix: The internal cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Contaminates entire transmission requiring full flush, often torque converter replacement, and sometimes valve body work if caught late. Replace radiator, flush system, replace torque converter. 8-12 hours labor if trans internals are okay.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,000
3.6L Pentastar Left Cylinder Head Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss without visible leaks, White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Cylinder 1, 3, or 5 misfire codes, Overheating with no clear cause
Fix: Early Pentastar V6s suffer left-bank head gasket and valve seat failures. Coolant seeps into cylinders. Requires left cylinder head removal, machining or replacement, new gasket set, timing chain work. 12-16 hours labor. Some qualify for Chrysler extended warranty coverage (Warranty Extension N40 up to 150k miles).
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000
Alternator Failure with PCM Damage Risk
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Battery light illuminated or flickering, Voltage gauge showing 12V or below while running, Dimming headlights, electrical accessories cutting out, Dead battery after short sit periods
Fix: Factory alternators fail with internal diode shorts that can send voltage spikes back and fry the PCM. Always test charging system health at 80k+ miles. Replace alternator before it fails completely to avoid $1,200 PCM replacement. 1.5-2.5 hours labor for alternator, add 2 hours and module cost if PCM damaged.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Deterioration
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from front suspension over bumps, Steering wander or imprecise turn-in, Uneven or cupped tire wear on inside edges, Visible cracking or separation of rubber bushings
Fix: The front lower control arm bushings crack and separate, especially in cold climates. Most shops replace entire control arms rather than pressing bushings. Both sides usually needed simultaneously. 2-3 hours labor, requires alignment after.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Water Pump Leak (3.6L Pentastar)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant dripping from front-center of engine, Coolant smell after driving, Gradual coolant level loss, Visible wetness around water pump housing
Fix: Water pump weep holes develop leaks. Requires accessory belt removal and pump replacement. Not timing-chain-driven so less invasive than some engines, but tight quarters. 3-4 hours labor. Do thermostat and hoses at same time.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Owner tips
5.7L Hemi owners: Switch to 0W-40 full synthetic and change oil every 4,000 miles to extend MDS lifter life—Mopar explicitly recommends this in TSB 09-002-19
Check transmission fluid color every 15k miles and change fluid at 60k regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—catches cooler failures early
3.6L owners built before mid-2013: verify Warranty Extension N40 coverage for cylinder head failures before paying out of pocket
Keep battery terminals clean and load-test battery annually—weak batteries accelerate alternator failure on these cars
The V6 and 6.4L 392 are solid buys used if maintained; avoid the 5.7L Hemi unless you can verify religious oil change history or budget for eventual engine 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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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 19V018000
2019-01-15 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V021000
2018-01-09 · EA15001
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Durango, and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The affected vehicles have electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and are equipped with a 5.7L or a 3.6L engine and a 160, 180 or 220 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. There is also the possibility that the alternator may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the alternator and depending on the part number, will replace the alternator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T36.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 16V240000
2016-04-25 · EA16002
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2011, to November 27, 2014, and 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured July 16, 2012, to December 22, 2015. The affected vehicles, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a monostable gear selector, may not adequately warn the driver when driver's door is opened and the vehicle is not in PARK, allowing them to exit the vehicle while the vehicle is still in gear.
Consequence: Drivers thinking that their vehicle's transmission is in the PARK position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software to mitigate the risk of vehicle rollaway, free of charge. The recall began on June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S27.
Note: On October 19, 2016 Chrysler identified some previously repaired vehicles did not receive the complete software updates. Chrysler will renotify the affected owners, and dealers will update the software again.
STRUCTURE · 16V043000
2016-01-28
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
Consequence: A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · 15V467000
2015-07-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 6, 2010, to June 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.
Consequence: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The recall began on August 25, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R35.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Durango; and 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured April 22, 2010, to January 2, 2014, and equipped with a 3.6L engine and a 160 amp alternator. In the affected vehicles, the alternator may suddenly fail.
Consequence: If the alternator fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the alternator, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P60.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 13V610000
2013-12-06
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 300 AWD, Dodge Charger AWD, and Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 vehicles equipped with ZF all wheel drive ("AWD") 8HP45 transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission output shaft may fracture.
Consequence: The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.
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