Dodge Challenger loss of power problems

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Body, Suspension · CO

I purchased this vehicle from Vroom, who is also my lender under United Auto Credit. The car was sold with a washed title and undisclosed prior structural and mechanical damage. I have documentation confirming the vehicle had serious pre-existing issues and should never have been sold as a clean-title car. The differential has failed three times in under 6 months, and I’ve experienced full drivetrain failure following multiple service visits to Dodge. I had requested inspection of the transmission, but after every visit, the issues worsened. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. The car exhibits violent vibrations, power loss, and unpredictable handling, making it unsafe to drive at highway speeds. The differential is on the verge of catastrophic failure again. These issues risk loss of vehicle control, wheel lock up, and potential collisions. Has the issue been confirmed by a dealer or service center? Yes. Dodge dealerships have confirmed repeated differential failure and ongoing drivetrain problems. Independent shops have also verified signs of prior impact and poor repairs. Has the vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance? It has been brought to authorized Dodge service centers at least six times and is the subject of an open Dodge customer care case (7+ months). No police or insurance inspections at this time. This vehicle was fraudulently sold with hidden damage and has presented major, repeated safety hazards. I am asking the federal safety agency to investigate not only this vehicle, but the broader pattern of dangerous sales by Vroom/United Auto Credit and Dodge, including title washing and stalling tactics to run out factory warranties before resolution.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Steering · 102,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. During the failure, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

On my way to work on 9/28/23 my 2019 dodge challenger hellcat Redeye engine just shut off at 65mph. I was in the left lane by the wall on I45 heading northbound. I instantly had a loss of power steering and braking. The engine just shut off. A check engine light came on and the dash said shift I to park to start. I was successfully able to get across 4 lanes of traffic to stop on the apron between o ram and side of freeway. When I shifted to park and to try to restart it would not start. Had to be towed to dealership where upon inspection they said the motor was locked. When broken down a valve just dropped into the cylinder and jammed into the piston and cylinder wall. Pieces also damaged the head and the supercharger and dealer says starter is fried. Mopar is digging in and acting like this isn’t an issue but online there are several class actions and forums about defective valve system in these engines. Had I been a novice driver or my wife with children jn the car she would likely not been able to get off to a safe place and stalled dead in the fast lane of a very busy Houston roadway.

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.

Filed Apr 6, 2023 · Brakes · MS

On several occasions while driving the vehicle would would appear to lose power and the front wheels would shake. After turning off the engine and restarting the car the problem resolved itself. It was taken to the dealership and they said they could not replicate the problem. Two days ago it did the same thing along with the passenger side front wheel heating and smoking. It was towed to the dealership again. The technician called to say that when he got into the car the brake pedal went to the floor and wanted to know if happened the day before. He was advised the pedal was fine and the brakes were stopping the vehicle. He said the brakes were worn down and the entire brake system needed replacement. There was no issue reported with the brakes on the previous inspection at the dealership in December 2022.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · MN

I was entering onto the highway and accelerating up to speed. When the car suddenly jerked multiple times, the vehicle did not accelerate, but the RPMs redlined. I then lost power while entering the highway. The vehicle would not restart, so I pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate. Almost being hit multiple times by other motor vehicles. I attempted to restart the car without any success. The vehicle was towed home to my residency, until I could have it towed to a mechanics shop for further diagnoise. The vehicle has not restarted in over 3 weeks now.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · FL

The Gen III hemi has an inherent design flaw in which the rollers making contact with the camshaft will fail, causing damage to the camshaft and causing the engine to misfire. This is due to the camshaft being moved away from the crankshaft as it causes oil starvation. After extensive research it appears to affect cars of various miles and workload. There is no single cause that makes this happen other than a grievous design flaw. The main complaint is that you experience total power loss at higher revs, making it dangerous to drive on the interstate or attempting to merge into traffics as the engine begins to shudder and lose most power. Whether it’s 40K miles or 110K miles, the flaw does not discriminate. After numerous attempts to reach Chrysler technical service on how to prevent this, I’ve been ignored and case numbers deleted. Now this is very important. This causes a misfire which not only destroys catalytic converters, but arrives with no notice. It’s very possible someone may be attempting to pass someone on the interstate and suddenly lose power. My mechanic inspected it and confirmed that the rollers failed, causing causing lifters to not make proper clearance. This needs to be investigated as this engine is in millions of cars. And even if 1% of these failure occur on an interstate, the potential for fatalities is absolutely nothing to ignore. I kindly ask that this matter be investigated. As not everyone can afford the 5K to fix this problem like I can. And due to its high prevalence in trucks, this could cause those who use their trucks for work to be put in a tight spot. I understand normal wear and tear, but by no means should a cam and valve train fail this soon in a car. Giving the Gen III hemi by Chrysler and their infamous timing chain defect, I believe this is also a dangerous flaw and something Chrysler ignored. Hoping it would outlast warranties. Best regards.

Filed Feb 18, 2021 · Transmission · 56,200 miles · LA

I was entering the freeway and getting up to speed, when I merge onto the freeway my car loss power and would not accelerate and doing the time it was high traffic time of day, and there was a big truck coming up behind me and the driver blew his horn and slammed his brakes to keep from hitting me from behind.I gave my car more gas and there was no acceleration,when I lifted my foot completely off the pedal and pushed it again then my car accelerated.it was a real scary moment not only for me but also for my daughter who was in the car with me.I made a appointment to bring it in to the dodge dealer to get it checked,when I brought it in the service writter told me that it did the same thing with the tech when he took it for a test ride, and they told me it was my transmission torque converter.I ask if they encounter this problem before and he said that they had history reports where the transmission had to be replaced.I had also did some research online and found a page called challenger forum,and there are some other dodge challenger owners who is also having the same problem.

Filed Sep 4, 2020 · Steering · 139,975 miles · FL

I was driving my dodge challenger down the road and then loss power steering. The car is almost impossible to drive. Upon further reading and researching many challenger owners with the 2011-up have the issue the electric power steering pump fails. I have read over a hundred similar complaints on 3 sites... Here is one sitte https://www.carproblemzoo.com/dodge/challenger/steering-problems.php https://www.carproblemzoo.com/dodge/challenger/steering-problems2.php the electro-hydraulic steering.pumps fail with no warning. I called chrysler fiat and was told its not an issue for recall? Really loosing all steering is not an issue? Then the part is over 1,000.00 and 250.00 labor. I almost ate a light pole turning a corner so I find this a real problem and danger with these cars.

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Engine · 170,000 miles · TX

Was driving down a busy intersection when car lost power and then stopped shut off steering was then hard and difficult to turn on a major intersection and then I was unable to move the vehicle vehicle the steering was very difficultly will crank but will not start because the alternator gave up died I then called the dealership they said they would fix it I just had to take it over there I had to tow it over there then as I got it there they said the vehicle wouldn't turn on I told him it was because the alternator was no good and it shut off and the story behind it they didn't say that they would charge me and they've had it since thursday today is now sunday they said they cannot work on it until they know for sure that is the alternator I know it is I had it checked before the alternator had went out