How Reliable Are 7th Generation Dodge Chargers? This is what JD Power says – Jalopnik

Few cars have as rich a history as the iconic Dodge Charger. First launched in 1966, it featured a variety of V8 engines, from a 5.2-liter to a big 7.0-liter Hemi. A muscle car through and through, albeit with arguably some major missteps in the late ’70s and ’80s, the Charger was absent from the Dodge lineup for nearly two decades before making a triumphant return in 2006.

In 2011 the car moved to the 7th generation, with updates to the design and improved interiors. Notably, however, it was missing a shift option, which disappointed some muscle car enthusiasts who couldn’t understand why the 7th generation Dodge Charger never got a manual transmission. In 2023, the automaker’s last gas-powered Chargers rolled off the assembly line, while the model went on a temporary hiatus.

Fortunately, for those looking for a used 7th generation Charger, there are over a decade of model years to choose from. To select the best options, JD Power collected hundreds of thousands of reviews from Charger owners and calculated the reliability of almost every year of production of the last generation. These scores are out of 100, with higher numbers representing fewer problems reported by drivers, and the Charger manages to post a range of results between 70 and 92.

The 2019 Charger managed to capture the next best set of numbers with an 87 out of 100, followed by the 2018 model, which dropped to a score of 81. Unfortunately, reliability ratings would drop even further between 2017 and 2012 (while 2011 didn’t even get a rating), never managing to crack 80 in those older years. In fact, the first available reliability score for the 7th generation – 2012 – achieved the worst score with a 70 out of 100, which is considered an average result. According to drivers on Car Complaints, the 2012 Charger received reports of widespread electrical problems, particularly around alternator failure. A new alternator on a Dodge Charger typically costs between $931 and $1,013, with the part itself making up the lion’s share of the total, according to Repair Pal.