Dodge Charger: two open airbag recalls, cruise control failure, AWD driveshaft recall, V6 engine tick. CA lemon law may get you a buyback. Free review.
The 2015–2023 Dodge Charger LD is a full-size American performance sedan that has carried a serious defect pattern throughout its run. Two separate airbag rupture recall campaigns — one for the Takata frontal inflator covering 2015 model years, another for SABIC side curtain inflators covering 2018–2021 — mean that hundreds of thousands of Chargers on California roads today carry airbags that could send metal fragments into the cabin on deployment. Alongside those life-safety issues, Charger owners have dealt with cruise control that will not disengage at highway speeds, AWD driveshafts that disconnect while moving, a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine prone to valvetrain failure, and Uconnect software that once allowed remote hackers to take control of brakes and steering. If your Charger has been to the dealer repeatedly for any of these issues without a lasting fix, California's lemon law may entitle you to a full buyback or replacement.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Airbag deploys and showers driver or passenger with metal shrapnel; side curtain airbag deploys and fragments penetrate into the cabin; no warning prior to rupture during normal crash deployment.
Vehicle systems (transmission, brakes, steering, HVAC, radio) could be remotely controlled by unauthorized third parties via cellular network; demonstrated as complete loss of driver control while moving.
Cruise control does not deactivate when driver presses brake pedal; cruise control does not turn off when switched off manually; vehicle maintains speed or accelerates uncontrollably while cruise is active; driver must shift to neutral or apply strong sustained braking to stop.
Vibration or clunking felt through floor or steering at highway speeds; sudden loss of all drive power while moving; loud bang followed by vehicle lurch when driveshaft separates; driveshaft visible under vehicle or becomes a road hazard.
Loud ticking or tapping noise from engine on cold start that may or may not diminish at operating temperature; check engine light with misfire codes (P030X); rough idle or engine hesitation at low RPM; engine stall or no-start in severe cases; ticking progresses to grinding if camshaft lobe wear occurs.
Windshield separates from body during a crash; windshield may show signs of incomplete adhesion at edges; air or wind noise around windshield perimeter at highway speeds.
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Airbag deploys and showers driver or passenger with metal shrapnel; side curtain airbag deploys and fragments penetrate into the cabin; no warning prior to rupture during normal crash deployment.
Extremely strong: two separate safety recall campaigns covering airbag rupture with death risk. 19V-018 spans entire Takata crisis; 24V-198 covers 2018-2021 production with no injuries yet but death-risk classification. Multiple recall campaigns for airbag systems support substantial-impairment argument and repeated-attempt triggers.
19V-018: dealers replace passenger frontal airbag inflator at no charge. 24V-198: dealers replace both side curtain airbag modules at no charge; owner notifications mailed May 2024.
Vehicle systems (transmission, brakes, steering, HVAC, radio) could be remotely controlled by unauthorized third parties via cellular network; demonstrated as complete loss of driver control while moving.
Strong for MY 2015 UConnect-equipped vehicles: confirmed remote takeover of safety-critical systems (brakes, transmission) constitutes substantial safety impairment. NHTSA-compelled recall after public disclosure of live attack demonstrates manufacturer knowledge of defect.
NHTSA 15V-461: Chrysler mailed USB drives to owners containing a software update that closes the cellular network vulnerability. No dealer visit required. Owners could also download the patch directly to their own USB drive.
Cruise control does not deactivate when driver presses brake pedal; cruise control does not turn off when switched off manually; vehicle maintains speed or accelerates uncontrollably while cruise is active; driver must shift to neutral or apply strong sustained braking to stop.
Strong safety dimension: inability to disengage cruise control at highway speeds is a confirmed crash risk. 4.8M-unit recall confirms widespread manufacturer acknowledgment. Charger MY 2014-2018 coverage creates documented repair-visit trigger for lemon law.
NHTSA 18V-332: dealers perform a PCM/ECM software flash at no charge. Owners advised not to use cruise control until repaired. In an emergency: shift to neutral and apply brakes.
Vibration or clunking felt through floor or steering at highway speeds; sudden loss of all drive power while moving; loud bang followed by vehicle lurch when driveshaft separates; driveshaft visible under vehicle or becomes a road hazard.
Two separate recall campaigns for front driveshaft failures on AWD Chargers. Sudden loss of motive power at speed constitutes substantial safety impairment. Back-to-back recalls (T03 and U37) on overlapping model years documents persistent manufacturer awareness of drivetrain defect.
17V-097: replace all eight front driveshaft bolts and torque to specification; no charge. 18V-281: replace complete front driveshaft assembly; no charge.
Loud ticking or tapping noise from engine on cold start that may or may not diminish at operating temperature; check engine light with misfire codes (P030X); rough idle or engine hesitation at low RPM; engine stall or no-start in severe cases; ticking progresses to grinding if camshaft lobe wear occurs.
Strong: manufacturer-acknowledged defect (TSB 09-009-23) for 2022-2023 MY; class-action litigation confirms widespread knowledge for earlier MY. Progressive nature (tick → misfire → cam wear → engine failure) supports substantial-impairment argument. Multiple repair attempts (lash adjuster replacement, rocker arm replacement, possible long-block) create documented repair history.
TSB 09-009-23 (2022-2023): replace all 12 intake hydraulic lash adjusters; covered under warranty. Earlier MY: replace rocker arms and associated lifter/cam components; cost $1,500-$4,500 out of warranty; some required long-block replacement. Class action lawsuit filed Jan 2022 (CA/FL/IL/MA) seeking warranty relief.
Windshield separates from body during a crash; windshield may show signs of incomplete adhesion at edges; air or wind noise around windshield perimeter at highway speeds.
Moderate: affects 2020-2021 MY only; safety hazard in crash context. Windshield detachment in crash compromises airbag deployment geometry and roof structure, creating secondary injury risk beyond primary impact.
NHTSA 21V-516: dealers remove and replace front windshield urethane sealant at no charge to owner.
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Certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger vehicles contain side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) modules equipped with inflators from Joyson Safety Systems that had moisture introduced during supplier manufacturing. Moisture causes internal corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in the inflator over time, which may cause the inflator to rupture during deployment.
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Certain 2023 Dodge Charger vehicles were manufactured with a parking brake that was improperly adjusted during assembly, causing the vehicle to fail compliance with FMVSS No. 135 (Light Vehicle Brake Systems) parking brake hold requirements.
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Certain 2022 Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicles contain a column-mounted shifter assembly with pawls that were not properly heat-treated; the improperly heat-treated pawls may bend during use, preventing the shifter from properly engaging the Drive position detent.
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Certain 2020-2021 Dodge Charger vehicles were manufactured with a non-conforming paint clear coat that prevented the front windshield urethane adhesive from properly bonding to the body structure, creating the risk that the windshield will detach from the vehicle in a crash.
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Specific Takata front passenger airbag (PAB) inflators containing PSAN propellant in certain MY 2010-2015 Dodge Charger vehicles may experience propellant degradation after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity (HAH), high temperatures and high temperature cycling. Degradation causes over-aggressive combustion and inflator rupture on deployment.
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A short circuit within the vehicle wiring harness may prevent the cruise control system from disengaging when the driver depresses the brake pedal or manually switches cruise control off, resulting in the vehicle maintaining speed or possibly accelerating uncontrollably.
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The front driveshaft universal joint in certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicles equipped with V8 engine and all-wheel drive may seize or fracture due to a bearing assembly defect, causing the front driveshaft to detach from the vehicle.
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The engine oil cooler hoses on certain 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat vehicles may fail due to a defective rubber hose production lot (#2536) that did not meet FCA specifications, resulting in a rapid loss of engine oil.
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The eight bolts that fasten the front propeller shaft (driveshaft) to the powertrain of certain 2014-2017 AWD Dodge Charger vehicles may loosen during normal operation, allowing the front driveshaft to disconnect from the vehicle.
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2015 Dodge Charger vehicles equipped with the UConnect 8.4-inch radio (sales codes RA3 or RA4) contain software vulnerabilities that allow third-party access via the Sprint cellular network to certain networked vehicle control systems, including brakes, transmission, steering, and HVAC.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California's lemon law, you may be entitled to a manufacturer buyback or a replacement vehicle if FCA has had a reasonable number of attempts to fix a defect that substantially impairs your Charger's use, value, or safety — and the problem remains unresolved. A buyback typically means FCA refunds the purchase price including tax and fees, pays off the loan balance, and reimburses documented out-of-pocket costs, minus a statutory mileage deduction based on when the defect was first reported. Safety defects — like a cruise-control system that cannot be disengaged or an airbag that poses a rupture risk — are among the strongest bases for a substantial-impairment claim. If your claim is successful, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney fees and costs separately, which means qualified consumers can pursue representation without paying out of pocket. This is general information, not legal advice. Eligibility depends on the specific facts of your repair history and warranty status.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
When the dealer writes 'unable to replicate' on your repair order, that notation is not the end of your rights — it is the beginning of your paper trail. Step one: Before you leave the dealership, ask the service writer to record your exact complaint on the repair order, even if no defect was found. That visit counts toward your repair-attempt total under California lemon law. Step two: Document the symptom yourself. For engine tick, record a short video with date/time visible showing the noise on a cold start. For cruise-control issues, note the exact speed, road type, and conditions when the failure occurred. Step three: Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov or by calling 1-800-643-3526. If an airbag or cruise-control recall is open and unremedied, the law recognizes FCA's documented knowledge of the defect. Step four: On the next occurrence, return immediately and create a new repair order for the same complaint. Recurring visits for the same symptom, even without a confirmed fix, build the documented pattern that California lemon law requires. Step five: Keep every repair order, rental car receipt, and tow truck invoice in a single folder. The total picture of your experience — dates, mileage, descriptions — is what an attorney uses to evaluate and present your case.
The 2015–2023 Charger LD carries one of the more serious documented safety records in the Dodge lineup. Two airbag rupture recalls — one still open, covering airbags installed through 2021 production — represent an ongoing safety risk. The cruise-control recall affected a fleet-wide population of nearly five million FCA vehicles, while two separate driveshaft recall campaigns on consecutive model years show a persistent drivetrain weakness in AWD configurations. The Pentastar V6 valvetrain issue, documented in a manufacturer-issued TSB and supported by class-action litigation history, adds a reliability dimension that has resulted in engine repairs costing thousands of dollars for out-of-warranty owners. For Charger owners who have lived through multiple dealer visits without a resolution, that history may be exactly what California's lemon law was designed to address.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Dodge Charger has been back to the dealer for the same issue — whether it's cruise control that won't shut off, an airbag recall that wasn't fully resolved, driveshaft problems, or persistent engine ticking — your repair history may already be enough to support a California lemon law claim. Gather your repair orders and contact Margarian Law for a free case review. If your case is successful, the manufacturer pays attorney fees separately — there's no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Yes, there are two separate open airbag recall campaigns that may affect your Charger. Recall 19V-018 covers 2015 model year Chargers for a Takata passenger frontal airbag inflator that can rupture during a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. Recall 24V-198 covers 2018–2021 model year Chargers for SABIC side curtain airbag inflators from Joyson Safety Systems that may rupture due to internal corrosion from moisture introduced during manufacturing; owner notifications for this campaign were mailed in May 2024. Both recalls are classified as death-risk defects. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov or call 1-800-643-3526. If your recall repair has been delayed, was not fully completed, or if you experienced an airbag deployment before the recall was addressed, speak with a lemon law attorney.
Yes. NHTSA recall 18V-332 covers 2015–2018 Dodge Chargers for a cruise control system that cannot disengage when the driver presses the brake pedal or manually cancels cruise. The root cause is a short circuit in the wiring harness that causes the Powertrain Control Module to continue commanding engine torque even when the driver is trying to slow the vehicle. The recall remedy was a PCM software flash at the dealer, free of charge. This recall covered nearly 4.8 million FCA vehicles across the fleet. If your Charger was repaired under this recall but the problem returned, or if you were in a dangerous situation before the recall was completed, that history may support a lemon law claim.
This is consistent with a front driveshaft separation, a defect covered by two separate NHTSA recalls. Recall 17V-097 covers 2015–2017 AWD Chargers where eight bolts fastening the front propeller shaft to the powertrain may loosen, allowing the driveshaft to disconnect. Recall 18V-281 covers 2015–2018 Charger Pursuit (police) V8 AWD models where a U-joint bearing defect can cause the front driveshaft to fracture and detach. A separated driveshaft causes immediate loss of drive power and can become a road hazard for vehicles behind you. If your AWD Charger experienced a driveshaft separation — whether or not it was ever connected to one of these recalls — and the vehicle was under warranty at the time, you may have a lemon law claim.
Yes. Engine ticking on the 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a documented, manufacturer-acknowledged defect across the 2015–2023 Charger generation. On earlier model years (2015–2021), the rocker arm needle bearing fails, causing the rocker arm to lose contact with the camshaft lobe and producing a persistent tick that can progress to cam lobe wear. On 2022–2023 models, FCA issued Technical Service Bulletin 09-009-23 directing dealers to replace all 12 intake hydraulic lash adjusters, which were collapsing and creating an air gap that causes ticking and misfire codes (P030X). If the engine tick was diagnosed while under warranty, required multiple visits, or progressed to additional engine damage, California lemon law may apply.
Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, there is no fixed number of repair attempts that automatically makes a vehicle a lemon. The law asks whether a reasonable number of attempts have been made to repair a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety. For safety defects — such as an airbag that could rupture, cruise control that cannot be disengaged, or a driveshaft that disconnects — courts have found that even two attempts can be sufficient given the severity of the risk. For drivability defects like the V6 engine tick, a documented pattern of multiple visits typically strengthens the claim. The best first step is to gather every repair order and have a lemon law attorney review your specific history.
If your Dodge Charger qualifies under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, FCA US LLC (Stellantis) may be required to repurchase or replace the vehicle. A buyback typically includes a refund of the purchase price (including sales tax and registration fees), payoff of any remaining loan balance, and reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket expenses — minus a statutory usage deduction based on the miles you drove before the defect was first reported to the dealer. A replacement vehicle may be substituted at the manufacturer's election in some cases. If your claim is successful, the manufacturer is also required to pay your attorney fees and costs separately under the statute, which means qualified consumers can pursue representation at no direct cost to them. Results depend on the facts of each case.
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