Dodge Challenger misfire problems

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

The vehicle's engine has suffered a catastrophic internal failure at approximately 56,000 miles. The engine is the 6.4-liter HEMI V8. The issue began with a loud ticking noise from the engine. I brought the vehicle to Stoneridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pleasanton for diagnosis. At that visit, the dealership lubricated an unspecified component and instructed me to continue driving. The ticking noise temporarily subsided. Shortly after, the check engine light illuminated. I returned the vehicle to the same dealership, where the technician retrieved diagnostic trouble code P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). Upon further inspection, the technician found scoring on the cylinder 3 wall, a persistent loud ticking noise from the engine, and metal contamination in the engine oil sample. The dealership diagnosed the failure as requiring a complete engine long block replacement at a quoted cost exceeding $23,000. The powertrain warranty has expired based on the 3-year time limit; however, the vehicle has fewer than 56,000 miles, which is well below the warranty's mileage threshold and exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. The vehicle has been properly maintained throughout ownership with regular oil changes and scheduled service intervals. No aftermarket modifications have been made; the engine and all related components remain factory stock. I contacted Stellantis customer care to request assistance. They stated that because the vehicle is no longer under warranty, there is nothing they can do, and that the dealership should have submitted a goodwill assistance request on my behalf. The dealership said they would look into it. A complete engine failure at this mileage on an engine marketed as a high-performance powerplant suggests a manufacturing or material defect rather than normal wear and tear.

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 Jun 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · KS

The car has an intermittent issue where at highway speeds it will go into almost a limp mode. Basically the check engine light comes on and car loses power and won't go over 45 mph. I have to pull over and shut car off. It will restart and operate normally for a random period of time. Very dangerous when on the highway and have to pull over to the side of the road. From the forums I belong to, this is a very common problem. There are even members that have bought a brand new Challenger and had this happen to them after a few months. The code that usually appears from this is misfire on cylinder 1 and even the dealerships don't know what causes it and hard to diagnose since it happens randomly. Love the car but very annoyed that this keeps happening and no one can figure out the fix

Filed Oct 16, 2020 · Engine · 61,000 miles · CA

Cylinder 2 misfire culminated in a diagnoses of a chewed camshaft. Known but unacknowledged issue with poor lubrication to the lifters -- owner normally forced to pay for camshaft and lifter replacement.

Filed Jan 3, 2020 · Engine · 76,000 miles · CA

Faulty lifters have damaged the camshaft, causing misfiring and thousands of dollars of repair costs for a car with only 76,000 miles. Lifters are on back order for 6-8 months.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA

I initially got my alternator changed by my own mechanic before there was any recall on the alternator. Then some time last year 2018 I took my car in for the recall on the air bags. While my car was at dodge they notified me that the recall on my alternator still hadn't been cleared since I never changed it with dodge so I was like what the heck why not just get a brand new one through dodge this time while they're repairing whatever needed to be done with my air bags. Fast forward to july of 2019 I took my car in to dodge dealership for some shaking while my foot was on the break and for the gears not properly shifting. My rpms were going way too high before the next gear would shift. Service at dealership claimed to fix the issue but I was back a week later because my check engine light came back on. After leaving it there another several days they said they found the actual issue so now I shouldn't be having any problems. ( something was misfiring , a coil was changed etc.) now sept of 2019 my car decided to stop on me while driving on the freeway almost killing me. My entire dashboard went crazy check engine light went off, air bags light, steering wheel , no key fob detected all while loosing power. Thankfully I made it off the exist with just enough power to get to a gas station right off the freeway before my car completely turned off on me. I took the battery to get checked it was completely dead, recharged it car started fine then went back to doing the exact same thing with warning signs all over the dashboard and leaving me again. I bought a brand new battery and still wont turn on. Being that I experienced something similar the first time my alternator went out I am pretty sure this is the same exact thing. I have had nothing but issues with this car since I got it will be taking it back to dealer but I no longer feel comfortable driving this vehicle.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Engine · 44,996 miles · CA

I recently purchased my 2013 dodge challenger less than 2 years ago and now the car has been misfiring giving me various error codes while I am driving on the freeway and on the roads. The dealership that I purchased the vehicle from, acura of fremont, has not returned my calls. The vehicle has given me the p0132 and recently p0300 error code. I took it to my local chrysler and dodge dealership in san leandro, ca and they said they can't find an issue wrong with the vehicle even though they saw the p0300 error code and the car shaking immensely. I told the representative that I do not feel safe in the vehicle after I felt the strong shaking and the engine light blinking making dinging sounds and ticking sounds. They kept the vehicle overnight to try again in the morning and they said they found no issue on the vehicle. The next day, the car starts jerking on the freeway slipping in power causing the car to shake. After researching, there is a problem in this specific year and model that I have, a cylinder head misfire that they are not addressing.

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge challenger. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a lack of power and misfired. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to chapman dodge, but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

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 May 28, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 380 miles · WA

5 days after purchasing a brand new challenger, while on the way to work the engine light came on and about 2 minutes after the car shut off while in the carpool lane going bout 63 miles/hr. The car was reading about 200 miles to empty. The fuel sensors /pumps were not working and had to be replaced. At idle it runs rough, was compared to like vehicle the idle is not correct. The mileage per gallon is way under the advertised. Advertised fuel economy showing 21 mpg combined city/hwy. We get about 16 mpg city/hwy. We had nothing but trouble since we purchased the vehicle and no one is taking responsibility for the issues as the car seems to be a lemon. We had it in the shop 4 times now. We purchased a brand new car so that we wouldn't have issues. Very upset, frustrated, unhappy.