2008 Dodge Challenger

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Dodge Challenger
Pictured: Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2015) Hirschaid-20220709-RM-120221 (cropped). Photo: Ermell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Engines
6.1L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
15 combined · 13 city / 18 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints9 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 151 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 29% below the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is a midsize car offered with a 6.1L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 18 highway), 29% worse than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $5,500 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Challenger6.1L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-29%$5,500592
Spend $15,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.1 MPG2008 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Dodge Challenger under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Dodge Challenger (this car)15 MPGNot rated2
2008 Toyota Camry34 MPGNot rated6
2008 Chevrolet Malibu27 MPGNot rated4
2008 Volkswagen Passat24 MPGNot rated3
2008 Nissan Altima34 MPGNot rated1
2008 Mazda 624 MPGNot rated0
2008 Nissan Maxima21 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (2)

Safety advisory: 2 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 24, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V352000 · 4,648,270 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jul 10, 2015 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 15V444000 · 88,460 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger vehicles manufactured September 19, 2007, to October 29, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R37.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Dodge Challenger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

9Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
57,427 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags4
Electrical System3
Engine3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/10: 115/11: 115/12: 116/03: 116/05: 117/04: 117/06: 120/03: 123/03: 115/1015/1216/0517/0623/03max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Dodge Challenger buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 57,427 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Challenger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Challenger years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★243
2022 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★29
2021 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★219
2020 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★120
2019 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★359
2018 Challenger23197.6 in★★★★★375
2017 Challenger23197.6 inNot rated349
2016 Challenger23197.6 inNot rated178
2015 Challenger23197.6 inNot rated5127
2014 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated4135
2013 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated5159
2012 Challenger21197.6 inNot rated6195

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Dodge. How we calculate this →