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Acceleration & cruise control

Dodge Challenger Acceleration problems by year

59 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Dodge Challenger's acceleration & cruise control. Unintended acceleration, surging, throttle problems and cruise or adaptive cruise faults.

Acceleration complaints by model year

YearAcceleration complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20232000
20211100
20202000
20193000
20183100
20173100
20162000
20154000
20145220
20137330
20126300
20113110
20107000
20099000
20082100

Latest Challenger acceleration complaints

2020 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise controlBrakesFuel system

In your own words, tell us what happened. Cro I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn't get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I...

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had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it's the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. I asked him and he confirmed it's not a common thing to break at the low miles (14741 miles on the vehicle) but I need to reach out to Dodge Customer Service to see if it would fall under "defective parts" claim. Please help me open a case and take care of this issue. It is a very serious safety issue if the rod would just snap like that during normal vehicle operation. This could have needed very badly. Thank you!

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11698843
2020 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise controlBrakesFuel system

I have an urgent and safety issue with my 2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. I was driving on road from work. When I was approaching a red light coming to a complete stop. I pressed the clutch to engage the gear into neutral. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound, I lost all pressure to the clutch and almost hitting the vehicle in front of me because I couldn't get it out of gear. Nearly causing multiple car accident with all the cars infront and behind me on the road. I had to shut off the engine so the vehicle would...

Read the full complaint

come to a complete stop. Vehicle was towing into the closest Dodge dealership (Sahara CDJR in Las Vegas). After 2 days in the shop, the service advisor just called me and stated that it's the clutch pedal push rod that snapped and the entire pedal assembly need to be replaced, which would not be covered. I asked him and he confirmed it's not a common thing to break at the low miles (14741 miles on the vehicle) but I need to reach out to Dodge Customer Service to see if it would fall under "defective parts" claim. Please help me open a case and take care of this issue. It is a very serious safety issue if the rod would just snap like that during normal vehicle operation. This could have needed very badly. Thank you!

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11698840
2023 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

Once the cruise control or adaptive cruise control is set, there is no indication as to what the speed is set to on the display. The only way to find out what it was set to is to turn off the cruise control then set a new speed. Also, when increasing or decreasing the speed control, there is nothing to indicate the new speed in the display. You must count how many times you press the + or - speed button to calculate the new speed. I believe this is a big driving distraction and could be potentially dangerous. ...

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You could also accidentally set the speed faster that you thought. All other cars with cruise control that I have owned or rented show the set speed on the display. According to online Dodge Challenger forums, this is a common complaint with this year and model car as well as others. The forum indicates that this may be a programming error/oversight. It has been into the dealer a couple times for several days. They confirmed that it happens on my car and all the cars in their lot of the same year and model. Stellantis stated that this was done by design since 2019 even though the owner's manual says the speed should show on the display. This issue has been present since I purchased the car in September 2023 and continues to this day. I, and others, would like the manufacturer to fix this problem. They acknowledge the issue exist, but continue to ignore it and refuse to fix it.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11641918
2021 Dodge ChallengerElectrical systemLightsAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

The cars light notifications on instrument cluster panel turned on all of them at the same time while accelerating jerking the car on freeway I have video of that happening and can provide it upon request it did caused a minor accident but I settled the accident with other driver with cash with out involving insurance or police but the car is not being driven that much ever since accident it was nothing serious just a little damage to front bumper but it was really scary when it happened again on freeway...

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thats why i recorded the problem live and can provide the video at request havent went to get the car checked out or repaired yet but definately need to it's a safety issue and dangerous one if happens at the wrong time or place I haven't received no calls from dealers or mail but will wait for further instructions from nhtsa the car is parked at the moment and will tow to the selling dealer after I hear from you guys I also believe there is a recall on my car for the same year and trim La but it was issued after I had vehicle in possession not sure but I received a similar looking card like the recall one about a factory replacement vehicle that I was supposed to receive because of a engine breakdown not sure what it is for but can provide that as well seems it seems sketchy because it looks alot and very similar to the recall card that gets sent out when there is a recall on car i have it on my person i kept it because it had a change of a dress fill out form in back of it so I need to check with sselling dealer I believe I might of gotten the wrong car or not my car i am owed for some reason the vin is not correct and I believe it's supposed to be a fj so this happening to me on a new 2021 dodge challenger for 53435 dollars doesn't seem right at all will ask dealer for a copy of my contract of the sale see if it matches the one they gave me might have the wrong car but the safety issue is real and hopefully you guys can tel me what'snex

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11562873
2019 Dodge ChallengerElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Was getting on freeway and hit the gas to accelerate and get ahead of the traffic. The Challenger would not accelerate fast (has a hemi) and car almost flew into me. Started testing the vehicle and it just wouldn't accelerate fast, it was stall slowly and pickup speed over 30 seconds or so. I brought it in to one shop and they said its probably a software update and to take it to Dodge and it should be free. Dodge told me it's probably not software, kept my car for 5 days and told me it was a software update...

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and that they updated it for free but still charged me $175 for the "diagnosis" when I told them exactly what the issue was. And now that I got it back, it gets stuck in reverse, you have to turn the vehcile off and wait and start it again then it works. At a red light turn yesterday, it wouldn't drive forward and the "D" for drive started flashing.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11513260
2008 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise controlCrash

My throttle got stuck open four times and the last time I almost lost my life and was in an accident. This is a known issue on the dodge forums but dodge refuses to call this defective and make it a recall. This is dangerous it could have killed me and others. There were no warning the throttle was going to go on its own.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11510872
2017 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise control

When stepping on the throttle to quickly merge into traffic it delays a few seconds and after removing foot off gas pedal it continues to accelerate and sticks for a few seconds. Which requires me to brake. This is Not SAFE!! The dealer has never heard of this problem but it is listed online as a problem.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11455883
2014 Dodge ChallengerTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlBrakesCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 dodge challenger. The contact stated that while her husband was driving out of the driveway at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated and drove for approximately 3/4's of a mile downhill. The driver stated that the brakes failed to slow the vehicle. Additionally, the driver was unable to shift gears to slow the vehicle. The contact stated that her husband was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into some trees. The air bags deployed. The contact stated that her...

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husband sustained bruises and scratches to his left arm and also sustained injuries to his back and neck. The driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance to seek medical attention. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed since the failure occurred on a private road. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed, nor repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11404705
2019 Dodge ChallengerTransmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

P1dab-00,u1412,p0716. Vehicle has shown codes above for 5 plus months. Codes cause vehicle to shift between gear randomly. I have taken vehicle to dealership but probably was not resolved; the dealership stated the problem was the speed sensor, so the switched them out only to find out later it was not the problem. Vehicle is unsafe; on one occasion the vehicle shift from the 8th gear to the 3rd while on the freeway almost causing an accident. Please resolve issue before someone is gravely injured.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11386328
2018 Dodge ChallengerAcceleration & cruise controlBrakes

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 dodge challenger. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated up to 46 mph with an unknown warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed and slowed the vehicle as designed. The vehicle was taken to star dodge chrysler jeep ram (5101 s 1st st, abilene, tx 79605 (325)-698-2222) where it remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11382763
2015 Dodge ChallengerTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

The vehicle had a recall about the the pcm so I took it to a local dealer to have it repaired and after I felt as if nothing were done to fix my car so I took it to another dealer about an hour and a half away and when I got my car back the check engine light was on and the guy didn't know what he was talking about giving false information about my car and tells me I need a new transmission so even then I still know nothing was done to fix my car my pcm is getting worse and now affecting. My transmission control unit shifting. The car won't go into first gear and when going into 5th gear it kicks and whiplashes me.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11349312

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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