Tie rod end wear
loose or worn tie rod ends
Check engine light: Off
This vehicle's most frequently recurring issue, reported at least 8-9 separate times across a wide mileage range (19,220-105,000 miles). Several were replaced under warranty at surprisingly low mileage — 19,220 miles, 44,020 miles, and 52,480 miles, all described as "loose" — suggesting this may begin developing quite early even if it isn't replaced until later. Costs, where given, ranged $920 – $1,400 (the higher figures usually bundled with other suspension parts). The same problem is reported on the Dodge Charger, which shares the LX platform — same components, similar mileage. A tie rod issue is mechanical and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$920 – $1,40019,220 – 105,000 mi
Cross-validated independently on 's Dodge Charger — same components, similar mileage. Higher-cost figures are usually bundled with other suspension parts in the same repair visit.
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Control arm / control arm bushing wear
creaking noise or bushing failure in the front suspension
Check engine light: Off
Reported multiple times, $200-$800: a creaking noise in the front at 122,760 miles, and bushing failure at 111,600 miles. The same problem is reported on the Dodge Charger. A control arm bushing issue is mechanical and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$200 – $800111,600 – 122,760 mi
Also reported on the Dodge Charger.
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Shock absorber / strut wear and leaks
leaking or worn shocks/struts
Check engine light: Off
Multiple reports: front struts leaking under warranty at 34,720-38,940 miles (no cost given), a "loud banging noise" at $150 at 89,000 miles, and weak shocks noted separately at 110,149 miles (no cost given). That gives a likely range of $150 – $165. A shock/strut issue is mechanical and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$150 – $16534,720 – 110,149 mi
Only 1 of 3 reported cases has a cost figure — the early warranty leaks and the weak-shocks report have none.
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Sway bar bushing / cushion wear
worn sway bar bushings or cushions
Check engine light: Off
Sway bar bushings/cushions were reported alongside tie rod repairs in several bundled visits (see the tie rod problem above), plus one standalone warranty replacement at 36,762 miles. No independent cost figure was given for the standalone case. A sway bar bushing issue is mechanical and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
36,762 mi
Mostly reported bundled with the tie rod problem above — the one standalone case was warranty-covered, no cost given.
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Wheel bearing wear
worn wheel bearings
Check engine light: Off
Reported multiple times at $635-$900, across rear, left rear, right front, and passenger-side positions, plus at least one additional warranty-covered case. A wheel bearing is a mechanical wear item and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$635 – $900
Real range across multiple documented cases, plus one warranty-covered case with no cost figure.
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Oil pump defect — the most expensive repair we have documented
complete engine failure with recurring overheating and seizing
Check engine light: On
This vehicle's most severe engine problem: an oil pump defect causing complete engine failure, with the engine continuing to overheat and seize even after replacement attempts. One case was documented at $7,500+ at 101,000 miles, which points to a $6,800 – $7,500+ range. A failure this severe would typically trigger a check-engine light well before complete failure.
$6,800 – $7,500+101,000 mi
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Oil-to-coolant cross-contamination
oil transferring into the cooling system
Check engine light: On
A distinct, severe failure mode at 51,460 miles: oil transferring into the cooling system, requiring a full engine replacement. This may be related to the oil pump defect above, though it's documented as a separate case. A failure this severe would typically trigger a check-engine light.
51,460 mi
Possibly related to the oil pump defect above, though documented as a separate case. No cost figure given.
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MDS (Multi-Displacement System) vibration / noise
vibration and low-frequency noise at moderate speeds
Check engine light: On
Reported across a mileage range of 19,220-35,340 miles: vibration and low-frequency noise between 30 and 80 kph. MDS is Chrysler's cylinder-deactivation system on the Hemi V8 — this is a well-known characteristic of that technology in this era, and it's best understood as an expected trait of MDS-equipped V8s rather than a pure defect.
19,220 – 35,340 mi
MDS cylinder deactivation is a known characteristic of this era's Hemi V8s — framed as an expected trait, not necessarily a defect.
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Oil leak into spark plugs (valve cover leak)
a valve cover leak allowing oil onto the spark plugs
Check engine light: On
One documented valve cover leak allowing oil onto the spark plugs, at $542.42 at 48,000 miles. We've widened it into a $434-$597 range. Oil-fouled spark plugs commonly cause misfires, which typically trigger a check-engine light.
$434 – $59748,000 mi
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Engine cooling fan issue (tied to a service bulletin)
a cooling fan issue
Check engine light: On
One documented cooling fan repair at $140 at 25,000 miles, tied to a technical service bulletin. The Dodge Charger, built on the same LX platform, has a cooling fan recall (Campaign L08), so check whether your car is covered before paying for this repair. A cooling fan/overheat issue like this can trigger a check-engine light.
$150 – $15425,000 mi
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Heater core replacement
heater core failure at very high mileage
Check engine light: Off
One documented heater core replacement at $1,300 at 128,000 miles — very high mileage, reading as expected wear. We've widened it into a $1,040-$1,430 range. A heater core is an HVAC component and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.
$1,040 – $1,430128,000 mi
Very high mileage — reads as expected wear.
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PCM/TCM software updates address shifting problems
Shifting problems addressed by PCM/TCM software updates
Check engine light: On
Shifting problems addressed by PCM/TCM software updates. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 402 owner reports on file.
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Software updates solve electrical or lighting problems
Electrical or lighting problems addressed by a software update
Check engine light: Off
Electrical or lighting problems addressed by a software update. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 150 owner reports on file.
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Lower steering shaft seal squeak
Squeak from the lower steering shaft seal
Check engine light: Off
Squeak from the lower steering shaft seal. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 138 owner reports on file.
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Cable failure in window regulator or motor, inoperative power windows
Power windows become inoperative due to a cable failure in the window regulator or motor
Check engine light: Off
Power windows become inoperative due to a cable failure in the window regulator or motor. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 91 owner reports on file.
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Check engine light due to carbon buildup on valves
Check engine light from carbon buildup on the valves
Check engine light: On
Check engine light from carbon buildup on the valves. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 75 owner reports on file.
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Excessive oil consumption, roughly a quart every 800-2,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption of roughly a quart every 800-2,000 miles, with no visible leak
Check engine light: Off
Excessive oil consumption of roughly a quart every 800-2,000 miles, with no visible leak. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 70 owner reports on file.
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Musty AC odor addressed by a cleaner/disinfectant service bulletin
Musty AC odor addressed under a manufacturer cleaner/disinfectant service bulletin
Check engine light: Off
Musty AC odor addressed under a manufacturer cleaner/disinfectant service bulletin. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 59 owner reports on file.
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Climate control blows intermittent hot air from all vents
Intermittent hot air from all vents despite the climate control setting
Check engine light: Off
Intermittent hot air from all vents despite the climate control setting. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 48 owner reports on file.
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Electronic throttle control fault causing stalling, ESP light, error UH100
Stalling and an ESP light with error code UH100, traced to the electronic throttle control
Check engine light: On
Stalling and an ESP light with error code UH100, traced to the electronic throttle control. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 47 owner reports on file.
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Rear differential and axle seals prone to leaks
Rear differential and axle seals leak
Check engine light: Off
Rear differential and axle seals leak. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 42 owner reports on file.
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Water leak into transmission from dipstick tube
Water leaks into the transmission from the dipstick tube
Check engine light: Off
Water leaks into the transmission from the dipstick tube. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 27 owner reports on file.
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Leaks at electrical connector on automatic transmission
Automatic transmission leaks at an electrical connector
Check engine light: Off
Automatic transmission leaks at an electrical connector. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 22 owner reports on file.
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Revised rear rotors for brake squeal in cold weather
Brake squeal in cold weather addressed by a revised rear rotor design
Check engine light: Off
Brake squeal in cold weather addressed by a revised rear rotor design. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 19 owner reports on file.
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Honk, hiss, or groan noise when steering at low speeds
Honk, hiss, or groan noise when steering at low speeds
Check engine light: Off
Honk, hiss, or groan noise when steering at low speeds. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 16 owner reports on file.
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Transmission failure, erratic shifting, can't engage gears
Transmission fails with erratic shifting, unable to engage gears
Check engine light: On
Transmission fails with erratic shifting, unable to engage gears. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 13 owner reports on file.
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This vehicle shares the LX platform with the Dodge Charger, and the data confirms it: the same tie rod / control arm / sway bar wear pattern shows up here independently, at similar mileage ranges — strong cross-model corroboration that this is a genuine platform-level characteristic, not a one-off. Separately, this vehicle's most serious engine problem is an oil pump defect that causes complete engine failure, with one repair documented at $7,500+.