Is the 2010 Dodge Challenger a bad year?
299 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 106, 11× a quiet Challenger year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 Dodge Challenger were filed between 7k and 56k miles. You're at 35,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Challenger owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 106 (35%) | 7k–56k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 75 (25%) | 17k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 68 (23%) | 17k–96k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (12%) | 10k–43k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 33 (11%) | 18k–55k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 30 (10%) | 10k–73k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 16 (5%) | 41k–83k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 299 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I have a 2010 Dodge challenger r/t with a 5.7 l hemi at 35,192 miles on car. The car has a loud bang and shuts off,.
I was driving on I-55 northbound 10 miles north of bloomington, il, when I lost power to the engine. I was able to get over to the side of the road.
Approximately march 2011 in making a right turn at about 5 MPH the car engine totally quit. Car started right up again and no problems until september 5, 2011.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 35,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Dodge Challenger: 7
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Some of these vehicles may experience a separation at the crimped end of the power steering pressure hose assembly. Leaked power steering fluid onto hot engine components could cause a fire.
These vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node (Win) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch. The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch (Win module) prior to placing the shifter in park.
These vehicles may have been built without a front wheel spindle nut. While driving, a tire and wheel separation could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 33
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Dodge Challenger. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Ts may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment
Manual Transmission Shifter Noise
Dodge: this bulletin involves flash reprogramming the powertrain control module (PCM) with new software
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2009 Challenger: 133 complaints, keep it · 2011 Challenger: 193 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Challenger year
2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Challenger years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Charger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Dodge Challenger a bad year?
299 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 106, 11× a quiet Challenger year. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 Dodge Challenger were filed between 7k and 56k miles. You're at 35,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Dodge Challenger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (106), air bags (75), electrical system (68), transmission and drivetrain (36), steering (33). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 7k–56k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Dodge Challenger have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-018), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-021), Air bags (NHTSA 16V-352), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-444) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.