[Prophesizer]

Hey all. I am considering purchasing a challenger. One of my greates fears regarding this car is potential maintenance issues. I currently own a Toyota and the thing is magic, few problems with it and it been holding out for a long time (1999) as they are known to do.
If I purchase a Challenger I want to make sure I am not walking into a maintenance trap. What has your experience been with maintenance regarding the R/T (Specifically the manual transmission).
Thanks for the help.

 

[OhioKirk]

Nothing more than routine, been fabulous

 

[challenger3891]

No acceleration problems or floor mats getting stuck to the gas pedal

 

[plumKrazy]

change the oil and supercharger oil every 3k to 5 k miles..

 

[Mark052]

I haven't had any real maintenance problems so far. I have the manual transmission and overall it shifts pretty well. It was a bit "notchy" feeling in the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts when it was cold outside, but that quickly goes away after it warms up. I had a similar issue with my wifes mustang gt (5 speed manual) but the notchiness never went away until they fixed it (Ford issued a TSB to replace the synchro's for it). If anyone were to ask me if I'd buy another Challenger, my answer would be "yes".:bigthumb:

 

[fyrdude]

If you are using terms like "my greatest fears" in your decision making, maybe a new car isn't in the cards for you.

BTW, I have had zero problems with my Challenger to date (since June 2009). I know that will change some day, but I'm not afraid of that fact. It is a machine after all is said and done.

 

[Prophesizer]

If you are using terms like "my greatest fears" in your decision making, maybe a new car isn't in the cards for you.

BTW, I have had zero problems with my Challenger to date (since June 2009). I know that will change some day, but I'm not afraid of that fact. It is a machine after all is said and done.

Ha ha my language might be a lil dramatic, but how would that prevent me from getting a new car?
A lil apprehension is a useful thing.

Thanks for all your responses btw. First time I've heard real "Challenger Testimony"

 

[Kean]

Greetings and welcome to the forum.


When I purchased my Challenger I knew I was walking into potential reliability/quality problems. Honestly, if my utmost concern was that my next vehicle should be trouble-free, Dodge would not have been on my list of cars I would have considered. The fact is that Chrysler recognizes their failings that earned this reputation and they are (by their own admission) actively trying to improve it (some of the 2011 model year has shown the beginning of that new direction).

Having said that, I figured I could live with a few flaws/issues as long as I could shake them out during the warranty period. The car has been a joy overall but if I’m going to be honest about it, I am still unimpressed with some of the quality/workmanship and my confidence in future reliability of this vehicle is even less than it was prior to purchase. Here are just some of the issues I have had so far off the top of my head (I have owned the car for a year and put on ~11k miles):

- Intermittent “Key FOB Not Detected” message while driving

- Intermittent stalling issue (this is in an auto R/T).

- ESP/BAS warning chime and the light illuminated while driving to work one day. Once it was reset (after I parked and turned off the engine), it has not happened since.

- My RER nav/sat head unit had a sound/balance issue once. I turned the car on and sound was only coming out of the right speakers. I navigated to the audio options and the balance/fade was unchanged. However, as soon as I tried to change the balance from the menu, sound was restored to all speakers. …it never happened again.

- I recently discovered the interior window trim/sill had cracked in the middle of the door.

- My chrome clad wheels are beginning to split on some of the seams on the spokes (in the lug nut holes).

- I discovered an oil leak/seepage from the driver’s side intake manifold.

This doesn’t include other relatively minor pet peeves I have regarding the build quality, design issues or material choices of some the components on this vehicle. I have yet to bring it in to have these problems addressed so we’ll have to see how that goes.

Personally, when researching a new vehicle these days, I like to read the TSB’s and recalls for the particular (or similar) model I’m looking to buy (http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/f89/dodge-challenger-tsbs-2008-2011-a-5609/). It helps give me an idea of the types of problems the manufacturer has had with the post-production of the product and may provide insight to other potential issues. I also read through the forums to get a gauge as to what other owners think but opinions are not always reliable or indicative of what I can expect myself. However, in between the rabid fanbois and the vocal detractors, there is usually information that is actually helpful to your research.

I don’t mean to scare you off but being someone who also has driven/owned reliable vehicles in the past and present (Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota, etc.), I won’t say you will have problems but I believe the chances of having them may be greater relative to what you might be used to. Having said all of that, I am happy with my purchase and I’m confident that my dealership will work on getting my issues fixed. I really like this car for a lot of other reasons which has helped me get past some of these issues. I’m not saying some of them don’t really bother me (especially the stalling problem), but the overall enjoyment/satisfaction this car has brought me so far as helped temper any disappointment I otherwise would have had. They are really cool cars IMO.

 

[Tinstar]

I originally had thoughts about not buying a Dodge vehicle. But then it dawned on me that about all of the Vehicles I drove for over 20 years as a LE in So. Cal was Dodges. And seldom had a problem with them. Of course they were properly maintained at the shop. Enough said.

 

[R/T_6Speed]

Nothing other than routine maintenance. Change oil, check fluids, drive car. I've got nearly 20,000 on mine and I beat on it pretty hard. No issues so far.

 

[Revmarc]

36,000 miles since I took it off the truck October 2, 2008. No problems at all, most trouble free car I've ever had.

 

[dino]

No acceleration problems or floor mats getting stuck to the gas pedal

My Challenger has the sticky throttle position problem, but my wife says it's because of me:thumbsup:

 

[txroamer]

I had a signal problem with the push button start early on, but it was fixed in 1 day. I think it was because mine was a showroom floor model and the button had been pushed by every finger that ever got in the car. Other than that, no problems whatsoever. Runs like the Batmobile every time I get in it. Only faster.

 

[Hal H]

no issues with mechanicals or trim whatsoever.

Every once in a great while the "Key Fob Not Detected" message shows up (Keyless Go pushbutton start) a 2nd press of the start button and off we go.

Zero issues with transmission or clutch (there's the notchy 1>2 shift, but it goes away after a couple of shifts - then gone when warmed up).

Bar none, the best built American make I've ever owned - I've had a few over the years.

 

[Prophesizer]

This is all good to hear. Do you all use your Challengers as your daily driver?

 

[Revmarc]

Every single day, rain or shine.

 

[Slosh]

Zero problems for me as well since Oct. 2008 (not a daily driver, though).

 

[5.7]

I've been having a hard time with the back tires wearing prematurely......:scratchhead:

 

[Ridge Runner]

Welcome,but don,t compare Dodge,s to those rice burnin jap scraps.I,ve never seen a Junkota that didn,t rust and crack cylinder heads.Plus parts are so high your better to scrap the crap then repair em.You,ll be pleased and welcome.

 

[corn619]

I've had some 6 speed transmission issues. They had to drop the tranny and replace some syncros among other things. My rocker panels cracked. All the problems were all fixed, but I had to go to 2 different dealerships 4 times, write a 4 page letter to Dodge customer service and threaten them with a lawyer before they were able to 'replicate the issue'. Overall though the car has been great and a ton of fun driving. Its really been the dealership experience that almost ruined the Challenger ownership experience for me.