Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 694 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Dodge Charger, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 205 | 30% |
| Exterior lighting | 82 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 68 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 55 | 8% |
| Air bags | 28 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 4% |
| Engine | 22 | 3% |
| Steering | 10 | 1% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
There has been numerous issues that affected my safety while driving and had to make costly repairs and replacements while on going. Alternator and serpentine belt broke out and all my coolant leaked out. had to stop in
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS alarm activated, and there was a short circuit in the front passenger’s side air bag. The contact associated t
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Manufacturer failed to provide an adequate remedy for Safety Recall 17V-435 (T36). On 09/12/2018, the dealer "inspected" the 180-AMP alternator (Part 4801833AB) and cleared it as safe. On 09/25/2019, this exact component
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The Anti-Lock Brake module has prematurely failed in the vehicle. The dealership can and will inspect the fault but they will say they are not trained or authorizes to fix the module. I was directed to an ABS module rebu
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My display screen went completely black. The blind spot warning system does not work at all as well when the display screen went black. It's completely unresponsive, no navigation, radio, entertainment anything. The a/c
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I was traveling at 35 MPH when a bright light blinded me in drivers window, assuming I was about to get T-boned, I pulled hard to the right, went over a curb, and hit an electrical pole. The front air bags all deployed,
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2011 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that the front headlamps failed to provide adequate illumination while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the front headlamp
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2011 Dodge Charger. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 t
Risk: 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 inj
Fix: 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 r
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 o
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 r
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 unexpe
Risk: Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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 serv
| Reliability raw | 39 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 57 | average |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 79 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 694 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 205 of them (30%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 39/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 57/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 57/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.