There are 4 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2017 Dodge Challengerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I took my car to the mechanic because the car was leaking radiator fluid. In testing the car he found that the head gasket had blown. He confirmed this with a hydrocarbon test. The car has 72,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. After saving the money to get the head gasket done. I was driving the car around when it began to to run poorly. At idle it was running very badly. I took it back to the mechanic to see what this issue was. After doing some testing they started to take the camshaft out of the car. It came out in 2 pieces. My car has the 3.6 in it. There is a class action lawsuit for this issue but because whatever part was linked to the lawsuit was not installed in my car I am not entitled to the fix. There are many more people with the same issue with the 3.6 liter Pentastar motor that I have had to go through after doing a bunch of research. This car is my dream car. I have taken excellent care of her. She has gotten oil changes religiously. I am at a complete loss as to how a camshaft can break. I have attached pictures of the camshaft and at the break you can see where there are defects in the metal causing it to break in two.
The contact's mother owns a 2017 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, she noticed an abnormal water odor inside the vehicle and the vehicle was overheating. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment and then continued driving; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road several times on her way to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the water pump was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the thermostat was replaced three times on three different occasions; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who informed the contact that the thermostat continuously failed due to the vehicle overheating; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
THE DASHBORD SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS SERVICE. I PUT THE CAR ON PARK, IT STARTS BLINKING SAYING CAR NOT ON PARK AND ONCE I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. PLUS THE SWITCH STAYS ON SO I HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AS SMOKE ENGULFED THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND NO FIRE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND OIL ON BOTH REAR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIERRA MOTORS INC-BILL WALSH AUTO GROUP (510 E NORRIS DR, OTTAWA, IL 61350 (815) 433-1666) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY OIL COOLER LINES THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V496000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS SET TO BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2017. THE AFFECTED VINS WERE NOT RELEASED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026