Quick take
The 2018 Challenger is a late-cycle car, so it has the benefit of several years of running changes, and it carries four recalls that mostly deal with wiring, software and the transmission park mechanism. NHTSA has 75 complaints on file, and more than a third of them (28 in the electrical group) deal with electrical and infotainment trouble. If you want a V8 coupe with a more mature interior and fewer rough edges than the 2015, it is worth a close look.
Verify three things. First, the touchscreen and the car's general electrical behavior. Second, the wheels, especially on cars that have seen hard cornering or potholes. Third, the transmission park mechanism and the engine computer recall. All of those can be checked with a VIN lookup and a good test drive.
What changed for 2018
The 2018 model year kept the refreshed 2015 body and interior and the eight-speed automatic, with the lineup running from the V6 through the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V8 cars to the Hellcat. The most famous 2018 Challenger is the Demon, a limited-run drag-racing special. It is rare, it is a collector item, and it is a completely different shopping exercise from the rest of this page, so take the advice here as aimed at the regular trims.
Late-cycle cars usually have fewer early-build issues, which fits the numbers: the recalls here are broader fleet campaigns rather than narrow production-window ones like those seen on the 2015. The all-wheel-drive GT from 2017 continued. Compare against the 2017 and 2019 reports, and the overview for context.
Known trouble spots to check
NHTSA's most-reported groups for 2018 are electrical system (28), unknown or other (28), power train (8), wheels (6), steering (6), engine (5), air bags (5), service brakes (5) and exterior lighting (5).
Infotainment and general electrical. The leading complaint is the touchscreen: owners describe it delaminating, then developing phantom touches that trigger phone calls, change settings or open emergency functions on their own. Several describe repeated dealer visits. Others report a false "turn signal out" style warning while the lights work, and one describes the dash and radio flickering and power cutting out until the trunk is opened. That last one is a single report, but it points at wiring or a ground connection, which is worth probing. Use the screen for ten full minutes. Look at the screen surface in bright light. Try the hands-free calling function and the camera.
Wheels. Six wheel complaints stand out, and they are unusual for a coupe this age. Owners describe cracked rims, bent or damaged wheels after impacts, and slow leaks caused by hairline wheel cracks. One account describes a wheel coming off the car. Inspect all four wheels inside and out. Ask the seller if any wheel has been repaired, welded or replaced. On a car with larger wheels and low-profile tires, expect more sensitivity to potholes. Check tire pressure monitor warnings and look for fresh curb damage.
Power train. Reports include transmission lockup with flashing shifter lights, wipers coming on and steering becoming heavy at the same time, a stall at a stoplight where the shifter would not move, and a manual shifter that stuck in gear at fairly low mileage. Another owner describes a big bang followed by chatter that they connected to a clutch problem. On a test drive, shift through every gear. On a manual car, press the clutch in repeatedly and check for a pedal that sticks or feels notchy.
Steering. Complaints describe "Power Steering Assist Off" messages, difficulty turning at low speed and one case where repairs after a front-end collision did not include replacing an intermediate steering shaft that the owner says should have been renewed. If a car has been in a front-end crash, ask an inspector to verify the steering components.
Air bags, brakes and lighting. Each has five or so complaints, mostly individual.
General checks:
- Check fuse boxes and the area around the headlights for burn marks.
- Look at the brake rotors and pads for uneven wear.
- Look for signs of auction or salvage history. One buyer says the car had undisclosed prior damage, which makes a history report essential.
- Inspect the tires for matching size, brand and wear.
- Make sure the wipers, washers and lights all work from every switch position.
Recalls on a car this age
NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2018 Challenger. Some are broad and some are narrow.
- Engine computer chip. Covers certain 2018 vehicles from several brands, including the Challenger. A voltage regulator chip in the powertrain control module can fail, which could stall the engine or stop it starting. Only certain vehicles are included.
- Park lock rod. Covers certain 2018 Challengers, Chargers and other models. The recall says a wrong park lock rod may have been fitted inside the transmission. This one bears on whether the car stays put when parked.
- Cruise control wiring. Covers 2015 to 2018 Challengers among other FCA vehicles. A short circuit could prevent cruise control from disengaging.
- Performance engine computers. Covers only specific Mopar Stage 1 kit and Demon crate PCMs. It matters only if the car has one fitted.
All of these repairs are free at a dealer. A stall recall is exactly the kind of campaign people forget about, so look the VIN up with NHTSA's recall tool and get written proof of any completed work.
Test-drive checklist
- Before you start, look at all four wheels for cracks, welds or curb rash and check the tire sidewalls.
- Start the car and test the touchscreen, backup camera, climate and turn signal indicators together.
- Leave the car in park with the engine running and make sure the dash shows no park or shifter warnings.
- Drive through the gears. The automatic should shift without bangs or hesitation. On a manual, check clutch feel and that each gear selects cleanly.
- At parking speed, turn the wheel fully each way and watch for steering assist warnings.
- Brake firmly from highway speed and check for pulsing or noise.
- At speed on a smooth road, feel for wheel vibration, a sign of a bent wheel or tire damage.
- Open and close the trunk several times and check that dash lights, windows and radio stay steady.
Before you hand over money
- VIN check for all open campaigns listed above.
- History report for collision, salvage or auction records.
- Independent inspection with a shop that knows LC-platform Dodges. Ask for an electrical check, a module scan, wheel and suspension inspection and a transmission fluid check.
On modified cars, ask how the engine was tuned, who did the work, whether any exhaust, intake or supercharger parts were changed and whether the car has seen a track or strip. Heavy launches wear clutches, axles and driveshafts. Large aftermarket wheels or grippier tires put more stress on suspension and wheel bearings. Ask for the original wheels and parts if the seller still has them.
When you are ready to price a payment, use the payment calculator.
Is it the right car for you?
A 2018 R/T, Scat Pack or GT suits a buyer who wants a relaxed V8 or V6 coupe and a more mature electrical setup than the earlier refresh years, as long as the screen is healthy. A Hellcat suits someone who can verify care and pay for tires, brakes and fluids properly.
Skip it if you will not tolerate screen glitches, or if you plan to use the car for frequent track days without budgeting for brakes and wheels. Anyone shopping a Demon needs a specialist's advice, not this page.
Bottom line
The 2018 Challenger is a reasonable late-cycle choice with broad recalls that are easy to verify. Check the screen, wheels and park behavior, and do not skip the history report or inspection.