The 2019 Charger is the last year of the LD platform's second-gen run — solid bones, but the 5.7L Hemi has catastrophic engine failure issues tied to lifter/cam problems, and ZF 8-speed transmission cooler leaks are a platform-wide concern regardless of engine choice.
5.7L Hemi MDS Lifter and Cam Failure (Catastrophic)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start ticking that worsens over weeks, Check engine light with multiple misfire codes, Metal debris in oil during changes, Sudden loss of power or complete engine failure
Fix: Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifters collapse, wiping the cam lobes and sending metal through the engine. Requires full engine teardown: cam, lifters, heads resurfaced, oil system flush, sometimes crank and bearings if debris circulated. Budget 25-35 hours labor at a competent shop. Some owners opt for used/reman long-blocks to avoid repeat failures.
Estimated cost: $6,000-12,000
ZF 8HP Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leak
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under center of vehicle, Low fluid warning on cluster, Delayed or harsh shifts when fluid is low, Burnt fluid smell
Fix: Plastic quick-connect fittings on cooler lines crack or the crimped joints at the cooler itself fail. Lines run along subframe; access is tight. Replace both cooler lines and often the external cooler itself as preventive measure. 3-4 hours labor, flush and refill ATF+4.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mount Collapse (Rear)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive driveline movement felt during acceleration, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount inspection
Fix: Rear trans mount deteriorates from heat and load, especially on V8 models. Requires lifting trans slightly with jack, remove crossmember bolts, swap mount. 1.5-2 hours labor. OEM Mopar mount recommended over aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $250-450
6.4L / 6.2L Hellcat Fuel System Clogging and Filter Issues
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting overnight, Stumble or hesitation under wide-open throttle, Limp mode with fuel pressure codes P0087/P0088, Fuel smell in cabin or around tank
Fix: High-output engines sensitive to fuel quality; in-tank filter clogs or pump module fails prematurely. Requires dropping tank, replacing entire pump module (filter not serviceable separately on most). 4-5 hours labor. Use Top Tier fuel and avoid running below 1/4 tank.
Estimated cost: $900-1,600
Instrument Cluster Failure / Gauge Blackout
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Entire cluster goes dark intermittently or permanently, Gauges freeze at last reading, Warning lights stay on after ignition cycle, Radio and HVAC work but no speedo/tach
Fix: TFT cluster computer fails due to solder joint cracks or internal component failure. Covered under some extended warranties. Replacement cluster requires VIN programming at dealer or with capable scan tool. 1-2 hours labor plus programming. Check for open recalls first (NHTSA 20V-471).
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
3.6L Pentastar Oil Cooler Housing and Gasket Leaks
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage around timing cover area, Slight oil smell after driving, Oil level drops slowly between changes, No overheating but persistent small leak
Fix: Integrated oil cooler housing gasket on front of engine weeps over time. Requires removing accessory drive, timing cover work. 4-6 hours labor depending on accessibility. Not urgent but address before it worsens or contaminates coolant.
Estimated cost: $700-1,200
V6 and 6.4L/Hellcat models are solid buys if maintained; avoid the 5.7L Hemi unless you're prepared for a potential $8k-10k engine job or have transferable powertrain warranty.
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.