The 2015 Challenger is a solid retro muscle platform, but the 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi engines are notorious for lifter/cam failures after 60k miles, and the 8-speed ZF transmission can develop cooler and valve body issues. The Hellcat sees forced-induction stress on bottom-end components.
Hemi MDS Lifter and Camshaft Failure (5.7L & 6.4L)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise on cold start that persists, Check engine light with misfire codes P0300-P0308, Loss of power, rough idle, Metal shavings in oil
Fix: The MDS (cylinder deactivation) lifters collapse or the cam lobes wipe out. Requires heads-off teardown, camshaft replacement, all 16 lifters, pushrods inspection, and often rocker arms. 16-20 labor hours at a competent shop. Some owners delete MDS with aftermarket cam to prevent recurrence.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,000
8-Speed ZF Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, driver side, Burnt smell after highway driving, Harsh shifting or slipping when fluid is low
Fix: The cooler lines or the cooler itself develop leaks at crimp joints. External cooler replacement is straightforward, 2-3 hours labor, but you'll need fluid flush and often a new filter while you're in there. If ignored, low fluid destroys clutch packs.
Symptoms: Knocking or rattling from deep in engine, worse under load, Low oil pressure warning, Metal debris in oil filter during changes, Catastrophic failure: sudden loss of power, engine seizes
Fix: Rod bearings and sometimes mains wear prematurely, especially in cars driven hard or with modified tunes. Requires full engine-out teardown, crank polishing or replacement, all bearings, and piston inspection. 30-40 hours labor for short-block rebuild. Some owners go forged internals at this point.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Intermittent no-start, no crank, Fuel pump not priming (no hum when key turned), Random electrical gremlins: windows, wipers, gauges acting erratically, Stalling while driving
Fix: The TIPM is Chrysler's Achilles heel—it's the fuse/relay box on steroids. When internal relays fail, the fuel pump circuit dies or the starter won't engage. Replacement is 2-3 hours labor, but the part runs $400-800. Programming required. Some independent shops offer TIPM repair services for half the cost.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Valve Body and Solenoid Issues (8HP70/90)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, Transmission slipping or flaring between gears, Check engine light with solenoid or pressure control codes, Limp mode (stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear)
Fix: The ZF 8-speed develops valve body wear or solenoid pack failures. Requires pan drop, valve body removal, solenoid replacement or full valve body swap. 4-6 hours labor. Fluid and filter service is mandatory during repair. Early software updates help, but hardware eventually fails.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500
Pentastar V6 Oil Cooler and Head Gasket Seepage (3.6L)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil weeping from front of engine near timing cover, Coolant smell or slight loss with no visible external leak, Oil in coolant reservoir (milky appearance)
Fix: The 3.6L oil cooler housing gasket and cylinder head gaskets can seep over time. Oil cooler is 3-4 hours with timing cover removal; head gaskets require heads-off, 12-16 hours. Most seepage is slow and non-critical, but mixing fluids means head gasket replacement is urgent.
Estimated cost: $800-3,500
Owner tips
Change oil every 5k miles on Hemis with MDS—the lifter issue is exacerbated by extended intervals and low-quality oil.
Service the 8-speed ZF transmission fluid and filter at 60k miles even though Dodge says 'lifetime'—heat kills this trans.
Hellcat owners: install an oil catch can and monitor oil pressure religiously; consider upgraded bearings if tracking or tuning.
Check TIPM function during pre-purchase: cycle key, listen for fuel pump prime, test all windows and accessories.
The V6 and non-Hellcat V8s are solid buys if the cam/lifter job has been done or you budget for it; avoid high-mileage Hellcats unless engine internals are documented as upgraded.
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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POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · 18E053000
2018-07-12
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs 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 either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. · 15V461000
2015-07-23
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500, 2015 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Challenger, 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, and Dodge Durango, and 2013-2015 Dodge Viper vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems.
Consequence: Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. 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 R40.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · 15V282000
2015-05-13
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured March 28, 2015, to April 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side air bag inflated curtain (SABIC) may have a loose or missing rear mounting bolt.
Consequence: A loose or missing SABIC rear mounting bolt may alter the air bag inflated curtain's deployment, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a side impact or roll-over crash.
Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R22.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · 15V114000
2015-02-27
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT and Dodge Charger SRT vehicles manufactured September 18, 2014, to February 5, 2015, and equipped with a 6.2L supercharged engine. O-ring seal and fuel rail crossover hose damage may result in the fuel rail hose connection leaking fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will replace the engine fuel rail injector crossover hose, free of charge. The recall began April 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R07.
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2015 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured June 30, 2014, to October 8, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the instrument cluster may become inoperative. This could cause the gauges to oscillate at zero and the Vehicle Theft Alarm could remain illuminated. Thus, the affected vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 101, "Controls and displays."
Consequence: If the instrument cluster becomes inoperative, it can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a software enhancement, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P74.
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