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Dodge Challenger hesitation problems

13 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Dodge Challenger describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
16,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    3
  • 2013
    4
  • 2010
    3
  • 2009
    2

What owners say

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Engine · 16,000 miles · ME

2016 dodge challenger 392 engine. When shifting the manual transmission from second to third gear, there is a severe hesitation that lasts a few seconds. This hesitation is so severe that I have nearly been involved in 2 accidents. Once while turning left in front of on-coming traffic and once while trying to merge onto a highway. The engine loses all power for about 3-4 seconds before responding. This problem has also been reported by other owners on challenger car forums on the internet. Problem has been identified on 2016 & 2017 models with manual transmission only. When car was only 3 weeks old, dealer kept car for almost a month trying to fix the problem. April of 2016. Problem went away for almost 18 months but now has returned in november of 2017 worse than before. Dealer, lee dodge in westbrook maine unable to fix the vehicle even after their experts drove the vehicle. They do not know what is wrong even though they can duplicate the problem. Car is dangerous to drive in this condition.

Filed Aug 21, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge challenger. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle hesitated and unknown warning sensors illuminated. Also, when turning the vehicle, it seemed as if it would shut off. Lastly, when switching gears, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (miami lakes automall, 16600 nw 57th ave, miami lakes, fl, 33014) to be serviced for an unknown alternator recall. The contact was informed of the failure, but no diagnosis was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 4,000 miles · CA

High speed/acceleration/and casual speed stalling. Freeway speed causes stalling/buckling hesitation, the engine light will go on, and the car will continue to reduce speed until it is stopped/off. After a short time (up to two days), the engine light will go off before I get to the service center, which leads to the dealership telling me "if we cannot re- create the problem, then we cannot fix it." the problem has happened over 10 times, and has now progressed to happened with a casual/ or isle speed as well. The level of severity has also increased as well as the time frame of the stalling

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

As I was driving on the free way, I noticed my check engine light came on. At first I thought it may have been a minute issue. However, my car started jerking, declining speed ,and became hesitate to continue motion as if the power of my car was about to stop. After ten minutes the engine light went off as I continued to drive the car at a reducing speed. However, the light came back on and the symptoms continued again. At this time I'm very concerned that my car needs to be on the recall as this is a serious issue. My light is still on as of 3/6/2017.

Filed Jan 5, 2017 · Transmission · 23,400 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge challenger. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle suddenly accelerated forward at a very high rate of speed. The failure was also present while at a stop light. When depressing the accelerator pedal to the floor, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate forward at a high rate of speed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to three separate dealers before the failure was duplicated. The manufacturer sent master mechanics to examine the vehicle, but the cause of the failure could not be identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,400.

Filed May 26, 2016 · Engine · 58,000 miles · CO

My 5.7-liter hemi engine hesitated six times and the engine computer registered this malfunction each time, but never set a code which the dealer mechanics could read to diagnose the problem. Each malfunction corrected itself in a few seconds, but the last hesitation was a strong one during which the engine ran very roughly for about two minutes before running smoothly again. It felt like the engine was misfiring on one or more cylinders. Each malfunction happened while I was passing other vehicles in a straight line on a highway with the engine under acceleration load. When I eased off the accelerator pedal, the hesitation disappeared and I was able to complete each vehicle pass, but each pass thus took longer and put me more at potential risk of colliding with oncoming vehicles. The last strong hesitation forced me to pull onto the shoulder and wait until the engine corrected itself in about two minutes. This hesitation happens rarely and the engine has continued to run smoothly since the last strong event. I don't know if this problem resides inside the engine or within the electronic ignition. I have a six-speed manual transmission and cruise control on this car.

Filed Dec 17, 2015 · Electrical · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 dodge challenger. Upon starting the vehicle, it hesitated as if it would stall. The dealer was notified several times for months and indicated that they only had four parts available for the repair. The dealer stated that it may be longer than a month before they could order the part, which was unreasonable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was unable to provide a reasonable time frame to provide the part and recall remedy. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 400 miles · AK

The car has a whine which comes and goes as the car hits and maintains a cruising speed. Took to dealer several times and they have stated that it is a normal condition. Also car has a hesitation upon start from a stop and has ticking from the engine bay. Ticking was called "normal" by dealer. Am now working with dodge directly to no avail to have issues resolved.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 100 miles · CA

My car hesitates when taking off sometimes and the engine is ticking like it has bad valves.

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · AZ

When you step on the accelerator in 4th, 5th or 6th gear the car hesitates for a second or longer before accelerating. There are many owners with this problem caused by a flash of the computer dodge performed and dodge has yet to fix the problem.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported May 1, 2018 · 71 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Dodge Charger, Durango and Challenger, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, Chrysler 300, and RAM 1500 vehicles. An incorrect transmission park lock rod may have been installed in the transmission.
Risk
If the incorrect park lock rod is installed, the transmission may not shift into 'PARK' and keep the vehicle from moving, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct park lock rod, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U43.

Recall number 18V280000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported July 7, 2017 · 7,802 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 5.7L V8 engines and eight-speed automatic transmissions. The transmission may not remain in the PARK position if that gear is selected, the engine is still running, and the driver exits the vehicle exited.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission remaining in the PARK position and without the parking brake set, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission control module software, free of charge. The recall began 28, 2017. Owners may the Chrysler customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T41.

Recall number 17V431000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switchReported September 10, 2008 · 6,636 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler is recalling 6,636 my 2008-2009 dodge challenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and "keyless go" option. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft prevention." if the stop/start button is pressed and held and the engine turns off, the electronic key code is removed from the vehicle. Since this can occur in a transmission or gear selector position other than "park," and the transmission or gear selector does not become locked in "park" as a direct result of key removal, it was determined that a noncompliance may exist.
Risk
This standard specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the wireless ignition node module so the engine can only be turned off when the transmission and gear selector is in the "park" position. The recall began on september 15, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 08V458000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Challenger hesitation

Which Dodge Challenger years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (4 complaints), 2010 (3 complaints) and 2014 (3 complaints).

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