Quick take
The 2018 Charger is a late-run car in the refreshed generation, so it has had the longest time to settle in. It also carries the longest recall list of the late years, including a newer curtain airbag recall that may still be open on cars sitting on lots. Complaint volume is down to 122.
Three things to verify. Confirm every recall by VIN, especially the airbag, the engine computer and the park lock rod, because each one only covers certain cars. Test the touchscreen and the backup camera together, since owners often report them failing at the same time. And check the headlights and the fuses that feed them.
What changed for 2018
The 2018 car kept the 2015 refresh shape, the eight-speed automatic and the familiar V6 and V8 lineup, with SRT versions and the Hellcat at the top. There was no manual transmission. Trim names keep moving, with SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, Daytona and SRT badges all appearing across the later years, so confirm the trim and engine by VIN, not by the listing title. Police pursuit cars were also built, and some ex-fleet cars end up in used inventory.
The safety data for the AWD four-door shows five stars overall, four stars frontal, five stars side and five stars rollover. That is one tested version, not every Charger.
For context, compare the 2017 report and the 2019 report.
Known trouble spots to check
NHTSA has 122 complaints for the 2018 Charger, with 5 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries tied to reports and no deaths. These are owner reports, not failure rates, and they mix V6, V8, AWD and police cars.
Electrical system (45 complaints). The Uconnect touchscreen is the main story. Owners describe a screen that delaminates, then taps on its own, changes the climate and heated seats, switches stations, offers to call emergency services and sometimes drops the backup camera or blind-spot alerts. Some owners describe a free goodwill repair, others a quoted repair that they declined. A separate group describes the driver-side headlight fuse melting, so the headlights go dark. One owner describes a total loss of dash lights and a locked steering wheel after the engine computer lost communication. That connects to a recall below. On a test drive, run the screen for fifteen minutes and watch for phantom input. Check the camera on a cold start.
Structure (19 complaints). Door panels peel away from the door frame, as on earlier years. A few mention the trunk light and the trunk-open dash message failing, too. Check the door panel edges and the trunk.
Engine (11 complaints). Reports include ticking and lifter noise, a timing chain complaint on a V6, an engine fire that was a total loss, and a police fleet describing stalls. Start cold and listen for ticking, then ask for oil change records.
Power train (10 complaints). Several owners say the transmission downshifts when they tap the paddle to upshift. Others describe a thud at low speeds, a clink at highway speed and a car that would not shift out of drive. Test the paddles on a safe road.
Service brakes (6), suspension (5) and wheels (5). Owners describe brake shudder and noise, heavy rust on front suspension parts on a nearly new car, a control arm that broke, and a tire-pressure warning that would not clear. Look under the front wheels for rust on the arms and bolts, and feel for shake under braking.
General checks for this kind of car:
- Vapor canister. One owner says they replaced the emissions canister on two Chargers. Make sure there are no emissions codes before a state inspection.
- Backup camera. Confirm it displays on every start.
- Cooling and oil. Check for seepage and a clean oil level.
- Tires and brakes. Look at the inside edges of the front tires for uneven wear.
- Airbag light. It should go out after start-up and stay out.
Recalls on a car this age
Six recalls show up in NHTSA data, and not every one applies to every car.
- Curtain airbag inflators (2024). Covers certain 2018 to 2021 Chargers and Chrysler 300s. The inflators may rupture. Parts supply has been an issue on some cars, so a car may sit with this open for a while. Treat an open one as a serious negotiating point.
- Engine computer voltage regulator chip (2018). A chip on the circuit board may fail and cause a stall or a no-start. The recall text lists many Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram and Fiat models.
- Park lock rod (2018). An incorrect rod may have been installed in the transmission of certain 2018 vehicles. It affects whether the car stays in park.
- Cruise control wiring (2018). A short could keep cruise from cancelling. It lists Chargers from 2014 to 2018.
- Police AWD V8 driveshaft (2018). Pursuit cars with AWD and V8 only.
- Pursuit stealth mode (2020). Only 2018 to 2020 pursuit vehicles with a stealth mode, where the backup camera may not display.
Recall repairs are free at a Dodge dealer. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup.
Test-drive checklist
- Look under the front wheels and control arms for heavy rust. Check the tires for uneven wear.
- Start cold. Listen for ticking and check that all dash lights go out.
- Put the car in reverse and confirm the backup camera works every time.
- Use the screen for a long drive. Watch for random taps, climate changes or phone calls.
- Shift into park on a slight slope and check the car holds.
- Use the paddles on a safe road. An upshift request should not downshift the car.
- Brake from highway speed and feel for steering wheel shake.
- Run both headlights on low and high beam and look for flicker.
Before you hand over money
Run the VIN at NHTSA's lookup and keep a printout. Get a history report and an independent pre-purchase inspection. Ask the shop to scan for codes, check the cooling system, inspect suspension for rust and look at the headlight wiring and fuse area.
Ask the seller about modifications: exhaust, intake, wheels, suspension and any tune. Ask who did the work, whether the stock calibration can be restored and whether the car has been used at a track. Ask about brake and tire replacement history, since a performance car can wear through both. Then use the payment calculator to work out a monthly payment.
Is it the right car for you?
The 2018 is a fit for buyers who want a later car and are willing to chase down recalls. V6 and AWD versions work for daily driving. Scat Pack and SRT versions fit people who know what hard use does to brakes, tires and drivetrains.
Look elsewhere if you can't tolerate a flaky touchscreen, or if the dealer cannot tell you the status of the airbag recall.
Bottom line
The 2018 Charger is a solid candidate, but only if the airbag, engine computer and park lock recalls are closed and the screen behaves. Inspect the suspension and headlights, ask hard questions about modifications and let the history decide.