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Dodge Challenger headlights problems

41 of the 1,695 owner complaints about the Dodge Challenger describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
41
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
53,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · CA · fire

My vehicle was parked in the driveway with a car cover over it and it caught on fire. The fire appeared to have started by the driver side headlight area and quickly ignited and burnt the whole front end of the car. The fire department showed up to put the fire out and they did not see any foul play. Surveillance camera shows the car catching on fire on it own without anyone near it. The last time it was driven it was a week ago. No after market parts in the car either, it’s all stock with very low miles or 12K.

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Body, Electrical · CA · fire

On Saturday 1:20am 11/15/25 DRIVING 27 MILES FROM DISTANCE VEHICLE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ELECTRICALLY WITH INTERNAL LIGHTS QUICKLY POWER OUTAGES ON AND OFF INTERIOR LIGHTIN. dim headlights, or issues with electrical components. 11/15/25 A vehicle fire occurred, and preliminary investigations suggest a battery malfunction as the probable cause. The malfunction led to an uncontrolled thermal event within the battery system, rapidly escalating into a fire that engulfed the vehicle. Further analysis is underway to determine the specific nature of the battery failure and contributing factors.NO WARNING ADVISORY ON THE PRELIMINARY OCCURRENCE IT ESCALATED FROM FLASHING ON AND OFF LIGHTS AND STEREO TO A STIFF STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AND RAPIDLY SMOKE COMING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AND FIRE STARTED CONSUMING THE REAR END OF THE TRUNK AND VEHICLE. THIS WAS A VERY DEVASTATING AND OVERWHELMING TRAGEDY IT HAPPENED WITHIN 15 MINUTES TIMEFRAME AND FIREDEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES INTO THE CONCERNING FIRE IT ALSO TOOK AROUND AROUND A HOUR FOR THE FIREMAN TO PUT OUT THE FIRE FROM THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · TX

8.4" touchscreen delaminating, causing ghost touches, which is changing my steering , timing, wipers, headlights, and suspension. The radio is going through stations, inputs, i can not use my android auto or use gps, all of my settings. It is very much a safety concern!

Filed May 12, 2025 · Electrical, Lights · NY

Electrical system is currently failing. I was informed that I need a PDC wiring kit to replace the fuse box and the entire vehicle must be rewired. USB Charging ports DO NOT WORK. Cigarette lighter ports to charge cellular devices do not work. Every time the service department at the dealership fixed a component to repair the radio a fuse was blown in another area of the vehicle in 2024. Currently 2025, I was told that the Radio lost connection with amplifier. The screen of the radio is on. It is changing from station to station and there is no sound. The bluetooth connects to my phone but there is no sound. The display is working for Sirius XM Radio. The amplifier was replaced 2x's although there was nothing wrong with it. The radio was replaced although there was nothing wrong with it. Vehicle consistently lacks power, car drags when you switch lanes and accelerate, headlights were not working and replaced 3 times. I almost flew over a cliff because it was pitch black. I could not see the road in front of me. Door panel control was replaced because windows were stuck rolled down/rolled up. Keypad would not work to unlock the door. I had to climb into the car from the passenger side of the vehicle because the driver's side door was locking me out of the car. Batteries in keypads were replaced. Driver's side door was locking me inside of the car. I was forced to climb over the center console to get out of the car through the passenger side. I had issues with the shocks & struts. The Michelin tires that came with the vehicles are cheap [XXX]. I replaced the tires with all-weather tires and consistently rotated them during oil changes. UCONNECT RADIO ISSUES occurred numerous times in my Black 2017 Dodge Challenger GT MODEL with leather interior and sunroof as well VIN ending [XXX]. I filed numerous complaints with Dodge customer service as well as UCONNECT. Cases # [XXX] opened with Stellantis and the FCA case [XXX]. Both are uncooperative! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I owned a 2017 Dodge Challenger which had electrical issues and a defective Uconnect radio system. A few months after purchasing the 2019 Dodge Challenger, I experienced electrical issues. The electric key system failed locking me outside of the vehicle while pumping gas. I had to enter the vehicle from the passenger side door. When I tried to exit the vehicle, I could not open the door. I had to climb over the center console to exit the vehicle from the passenger side. The key fab battery was replaced but the issue continued. The rear/front suspension failed in 2020. The westbury service department blew my alternator servicing while replacing the radiator and fixing the electrical issue with Uconnect. The driver's side window would not roll down. It was stuck down in 2021. The door panel switches were replaced. The door issue was not resolved. I randomly remained locked out of the vehicle. I complained that the heat would turn on randomly inside of the vehicle. My headlights stopped working twice and my light bulbs were replaced although the bulbs were good. I couldn't see the road in front of me at night and almost drove off of a cliff. The radio/gps/bluetooth system continuously failed ten times. The service department replaced the radio. and amplifiers twice, although they were in working condition. This did not resolve the issue. The Jamaica service department explained that the issues that have been occurring are electrical and tried replacing the fuses to fix the reoccurring issues. When I bought the car to them to fix the radio issue in 2024 my charging and USB ports stopped working. The fuse issue has since caused other safety hazards. They replaced the fuses several times and have explained that the entire electrical component "body harness wiring" must be replaced. I should not be responsible for replacing this part. When I bought the vehicle in for electrical issues while it was under warranty it should have been fixed immediately.

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Lights · NJ

Good afternoon, my right headlight wiring harness had rubbed on the frame down to the wires, actually meta l to metal and caused my head light to blow out and my turn signal to malfunction and there is no warning light for the headlight being out, I called the dealership and they said there's no recall and they want a lot of money to fix this problem, I'm afraid it may cause a fire, I've noticed this for about a week, I ordered a new light on 8/22 and that's when I noticed the bare wires

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Lights · 98,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical box was melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · FL

Tipman module is melting and has a burning smell and black marks where there has been spark. Fire hazard. Draws too many amps from headlights. Drivers side seatbelt won't register and seatbelt airbag light is on.

Filed Jul 28, 2023 · Lights · CA

My 2019 Dodge Challenger GT harness has been compromised. The electrical system in a vehicle, including the headlight circuit, is designed to operate within specific parameters to ensure safety and reliability. When a harness is compromised it can cause an electrical short circuit. In my case, this short circuit is causing a fuse to melt. A fuse is a safety device designed to protect electrical circuits from overheating and potential fires by breaking the circuit when excess current flows through it. When a fuse melts due to an electrical short caused by a faulty harness, it means that excessive current is passing through the circuit. This situation can be dangerous for several reasons 1. Loss of headlights: The melted fuse interrupts the flow of electricity to the headlights, resulting in them going out completely. This sudden loss of visibility can be hazardous, especially at night or in lowlight conditions, increasing the risk of accidents. 2. Overheating: The excessive current passing through the compromised harness generates heat, often leading to melting or damage to surrounding components. This can potentially cause a fire hazard, posing a serious risk to both vehicle occupants and the car itself. 3. Electrical damage: In addition to the headlights, a compromised harness can affect other electrical components in the affected circuit, such as the turn signals, fog lights, or other lighting systems. It can also damage the vehicle's control modules and wiring, leading to further malfunctions and costly repairs. Replacing the faulty harness is crucial to restore the electrical integrity of the headlight circuit and ensure proper functionality. By replacing the harness, you eliminate the risk of further short circuits, melted fuses, and potential damage to other electrical components. It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure your safety on the road and prevent any potential accidents caused by reduced visibility or electrical malfunctions.

Filed Jun 19, 2023 · Electrical · IL

Car has had intermittent electrical issues, head lights flashing, dash board losing power, car alarms in and out. Most recently it stalled while driving on a country road. Was able to restart after a while. It stalled again while driving on highway. Took car to dealership but they stated my alternater was not a part of safety recall T36, even though I was having those exact same issues.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Dodge Challenger headlights

Which Dodge Challenger years have headlights failing or too dim problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (8 complaints), 2015 (7 complaints) and 2016 (7 complaints).

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