Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2013 Dodge Charger
The 2013 Dodge Charger has moderate issues, mainly with the electrical system and some transmission problems, as indicated by 360 owner complaints and 8 recalls. Recall and complaint data show electrical and airbag issues are significant. Prospective buyers should verify the vehicle's repair and recall history to avoid costly repairs.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2013 Dodge Charger has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 360 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V018000 Do Not Drive - Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V021000 Do Not Drive - Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V435000 Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V240000 Driver may Exit Vehicle when it is not in PARK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V043000 Body-Side Sill may Give when Jacking Car NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V467000 Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V634000 Alternator may Fail Resulting in Engine Stall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V610000 Transmission Output Shaft may Fracture NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 167 complaints
- Engine 50 complaints
- Power Train 48 complaints
- Air Bags 41 complaints
- Steering 30 complaints
- Unknown or Other 28 complaints
Of the 360 complaints on file, 25 report a crash and 20 a fire; across all 360 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Alternator failure
How to check: Test battery charging system and alternator output.
Airbag inflator issues
How to check: Ensure all airbag recalls are completed.
Transmission control issues
How to check: Check for smooth gear shifts and warning lights.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking or metallic sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights on
- 03
Low-speed turns
What to check: Assess steering responsiveness and ease.
Red flag: Stiff or unresponsive steering
- 04
Cruising at city speeds
What to check: Feel for gear shift smoothness.
Red flag: Jerky or rough gear changes
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor for hesitations or noises.
Red flag: Delayed acceleration or grinding
- 06
Braking at high speeds
What to check: Observe brake responsiveness.
Red flag: Vibrations or pulling to one side
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the alternator been replaced or repaired?
- Are there any unresolved recalls?
- Have the airbags ever deployed without need?
- Has the transmission been serviced regularly?
- Any steering or suspension issues reported?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service history records
- Recall completion proof
- Vehicle title
- Previous owner details
- Extended warranty documents
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2013 Dodge Charger at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2013 Dodge Charger? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.