PROBLEM GUIDE

2006–2010 Dodge Charger Common Problems

Here's what owners are experiencing, based on our research of real owner reports and repair data.

Last updated April 2026

624

complaints filed for the 2008 model year

2006–2010

Model years affected

$160 – $800

Typical repair cost, by problem

The most consistent problem on this generation is a suspension wear pattern — tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and sway bar components all failing in the 50,000-90,000 mile range across many separate owners. The same wear pattern is reported on the Chrysler 300, which shares this platform and these components. Separately, a confirmed engine cooling fan recall (fan blades breaking apart and sending shrapnel into the radiator) is covered under Recalls below.

Quick Scan: 21 Issues

Click a problem for the full write-up — symptoms, what we found, and typical repair costs where we have them.

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PROBLEM DETAILS

Tie rod end wear

loose or worn tie rod ends

Check engine light: Off

This vehicle's most frequently recurring suspension issue: tie rod ends (inner and outer) wearing out across a wide mileage range, 50,000-90,000 miles. Reported at least 5 separate times: $687 at 57,000 miles, $350 at 76,660 miles (play/looseness), $500 at 69,800 miles (after alignment issues), $320 at 50,000 miles, and $560 at 90,000 miles (alongside sway bar wear). We're presenting the real $320-$687 range as reported. This is a mechanical suspension wear item and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.

$320 – $68750,000 – 90,000 mi

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Control arm bushing / control arm wear

worn control arms or torn control arm bushings

Check engine light: Off

Reported multiple times alongside the tie rod wear above: worn upper control arms ($687 at 57,000 miles), torn front lower control arm bushings ($350 at 76,660 miles), and lower control arms worn and replaced again just 7 months later ($320 at 50,000 miles — a notably fast recurrence). Some of these figures overlap with the tie rod repairs above — the $687-at-57,000-miles and $320-at-50,000-miles repairs appear to be bundled invoices covering both tie rods and control arms in the same visit. This is a mechanical suspension wear item and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.

$320 – $68750,000 – 76,660 mi

Some cost figures overlap with tie rod wear repairs — likely bundled repair invoices covering both parts in the same visit.

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Sway bar bushing / end link / strut tower arm wear

a clunking noise from the sway bar or strut tower area

Check engine light: Off

Sway bar bushings and strut tower tension arms were both replaced at just 26,000 miles for $770 in one case, with clunking persisting after the first repair — notably early, and suggesting a possibly related root cause. Additional sway bar end link replacements were reported later, at 73,500-82,000 miles, for $500 each. This is a mechanical suspension wear item and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.

$500 – $77026,000 – 82,000 mi

The $770 repair at just 26,000 miles is notably early, which points to an early-production issue rather than normal high-mileage wear.

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Wheel bearing wear

a worn wheel bearing

Check engine light: Off

One documented wheel bearing wear repair at $200 at 72,600 miles. We've widened it into a $160-$220 range. A wheel bearing is a mechanical wear item and doesn't trigger a check-engine light.

$160 – $22072,600 mi

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Radiator leaks (unrelated to the recalled cooling fan)

a coolant leak from the radiator

Check engine light: Off

Two documented radiator replacements, separate from the recalled fan-shrapnel cause above: $800 at 113,000 miles, and a notably cheap $500 at 82,000 miles (possibly a minor fix or partial coverage). We're presenting the real $500 - $800 range as reported. A coolant leak on its own typically doesn't trigger a check-engine light.

$500 – $80082,000 – 113,000 mi

Distinct from the recalled cooling-fan-shrapnel cause above (Campaign L08) — these are separately reported radiator leaks.

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Oil temperature sensor leak

a leak from the oil temperature sensor

Check engine light: On

One documented oil temperature sensor leak at $400 at 102,000 miles. We've widened it into a $320-$440 range. A sensor fault like this typically triggers a check-engine light.

$320 – $440102,000 mi

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Catastrophic valve failure

a dropped valve causing complete loss of compression

Check engine light: On

One severe, high-mileage case: a dropped valve on cylinder 5 at 149,000 miles, resulting in no compression and the motor being described as "not repairable." No cost was reported, though a full engine replacement or rebuild is implied. This is a high-mileage, likely end-of-life failure. An engine failure like this would typically have thrown a check-engine light before the catastrophic failure.

149,000 mi

No cost figure given — a full engine replacement or rebuild is implied. Very high mileage, likely end-of-life.

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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 284 owner reports on file.

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Transmission shift quality issues

General transmission shift quality problems

Check engine light: On

General transmission shift quality problems. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 224 owner reports on file.

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Rough idle or shuddering with multiple misfire codes

Rough idle or shuddering with multiple misfire codes and hesitation on acceleration

Check engine light: On

Rough idle or shuddering with multiple misfire codes and hesitation on acceleration. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 136 owner reports on file.

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Check engine light due to failed thermostat

Check engine light from a failed thermostat

Check engine light: On

Check engine light from a failed thermostat. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 123 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 121 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 118 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 114 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 66 owner reports on file.

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Fuel tank hard to fill, nozzle shuts off repeatedly

Fuel nozzle shuts off repeatedly, making the tank hard to fill

Check engine light: Off

Fuel nozzle shuts off repeatedly, making the tank hard to fill. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 60 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 39 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 34 owner reports on file.

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ESP warning light flash, noise from pump

ESP warning light flashes with noise from the pump

Check engine light: On

ESP warning light flashes with noise from the pump. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 17 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 12 owner reports on file.

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Check engine light with code P0339

Check engine light with diagnostic code P0339

Check engine light: On

Check engine light with diagnostic code P0339. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 11 owner reports on file.

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This generation has a confirmed engine cooling fan recall (Campaign L08) — fan blades breaking apart and sending shrapnel into the radiator, causing the radiator to leak and the car to overheat. NHTSA corroborates this directly ("a blade on the radiator fan broke loose and became lodged into the radiator"). There is also a confirmed ignition switch recall (Campaign 14V567000) and Takata airbag recalls (Campaigns 16V352000 and 15V313000). Enter your VIN to get the confirmed, current recall picture for your specific car.

The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not a diagnosis. It is compiled from aggregated owner-reported data and publicly available sources, not from an inspection of your vehicle. Symptoms described here can have multiple causes, and the presence of a commonly reported problem does not mean your vehicle has it. Repair cost ranges are estimates that vary by region, shop, vehicle condition, and parts availability. Recall and service campaign information may be incomplete or out of date — verify current recall status with NHTSA or your manufacturer. MyGearGuru is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer; manufacturer and model names are used for identification only. Always consult a qualified technician before making repair decisions.

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