Looking for the best Dodge Charger model year? Our guide cuts through the noise, highlighting the stars and warning you off the duds.
We’ve crunched the numbers on reliability, performance, and value across the 6th and 7th generations.
Drawing from extensive research and owner feedback, we’ll show you which years shine and which fall flat.
Ready to boost up your Charger knowledge?
Let’s dive in.
Table of ContentsShow
Dodge Charger Generations
The Dodge Charger isn’t just a car – it’s an American muscle icon with a legacy stretching back to the swinging ’60s. It’s the four-wheeled embodiment of raw power, head-turning style, and heart-pounding performance.
In this article, we’re concentrating on these generations:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 6th generation (LX) | 2006-2010 |
| 7th generation (LD) | 2011-Present |
Why the history lesson? Because understanding the evolution of this beast might just be the key to finding your perfect Charger. Each generation has its own flavor, and knowing the differences could make or break your buying decision.
Dodge Charger Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
We didn’t just pull these rankings out of thin air. Our categorizations are the result of meticulous research, considering a smorgasbord of factors:
- What owners are saying (surveys don’t lie)
- How much it’ll cost you to keep it purring (annual maintenance costs)
- How well it’ll protect your hide (safety ratings)
- What the experts think (Consumer Reports reliability and satisfaction scores)
- The official word on problems (NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints)
- Real-world feedback (ratings from Edmunds, JD Power, Kelley’s Blue Book, VehicleHistory, and Cars.com)
Want to see how it all stacks up? Check out this graph:
And here’s where the rubber meets the road – our breakdown of the 6th and 7th generations into the good, the meh, and the ugly:
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th generation | 2009 2010 | 2007 2008 | 2006 |
| 7th generation | 2016 2019 2020 2022 | 2017 2023 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 2018 2021 |
What’s a “Neutral Year,” you ask? Think of it as the Charger that didn’t set the world on fire, but didn’t crash and burn either. It’s the consistent Eddie of the lineup, offering reasonable value without any major highs or lows.
And those recalls and complaints? They’re like demerits on the Charger’s report card. The more it has, the lower its reliability score, and the further down our rankings it slides.
Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the best, neutral, and worst years.
Best & Worst Years for Dodge Charger 6th Generation (2006-2010)
The 6th Generation Dodge Charger burst onto the scene in 2006, bringing the muscle car roaring into the 21st century. It was a nostalgia trip with a contemporary twist, packing new tech and safety features to win over both loyal fans and fresh faces.
The Best Years: 2009, 2010
If the 6th generation was a movie, 2009 and 2010 would be the pinnacle. These years took everything superb about the Charger and cranked it up to 11.
Under the hood, you got a refined engine that didn’t just roar – it purred with efficiency. The tech upgrades weren’t just bells and whistles, either. We’re talking cutting-edge infotainment, adaptive cruise control that actually adapted, and safety features like traction control and antilock brakes that could save your bacon.
Throw in some sleek design tweaks, and you’ve got a Charger that spoke to gear heads and tech enthusiasts alike. It was the finest of both worlds – muscle car attitude with contemporary smarts.
The Neutral Years: 2007, 2008
The 2007 and 2008 models? They’re the Chargers that played it cautious. Not bad, not exceptional – just… there.
Take the 2007 model. It kept most of what made the previous year tick, but it wasn’t exactly pushing boundaries. Plus, it had a nasty habit of throwing tantrums with its transmission – complete failure in some cases. Yikes.
The 2008 model tried to patch things up, but then electrical gremlins crept in. Imagine cruising down the highway, and suddenly – poof! – your car decides to take an impromptu nap. Not cool, Charger. Not cool at all.
Don’t get us wrong – these years still packed a punch with their engine performance. But they were more “meh” than “yeah!” in the grand Charger scheme of things.
The Worst Years: 2006
Oh, 2006. The year Dodge swung for the fences and… well, let’s just say they didn’t knock it out of the park.
The big bad wolf here? Engine issues that would make any driver break out in a cold sweat. Picture this: you’re driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly your engine decides to play dead. No warning, no explanation – just a car-sized paperweight on wheels.
But wait, there’s more! This tiny quirk also took out the power steering. Because why stop at just killing the engine when you can make the car near-impossible to steer too, right?
Most of these headaches stemmed from the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi powertrain. Dropped valve seats were the usual suspects, turning dream rides into nightmare fuel.
The 2006 model year is a stark reminder: sometimes, being first isn’t always best. It’s a cautionary tale for anyone eyeing up this iconic ride.
Want the down-and-dirty on what went wrong?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Dodge Charger. It’s not easy reading, but it might save you from a universe of hurt.
Best & Worst Years for Dodge Charger 7th Generation (2011-Present)
When the 7th Generation Dodge Charger rolled onto the scene in 2011, it wasn’t just a fresh model – it was a revolution on wheels. This generation upped the ante with a laser focus on modernization, bringing enhanced tech, improved fuel efficiency, and a beefed-up commitment to keeping you safe on the roads.
The Best Years: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022
If the 7th generation Charger was a musical group, these years would be its finest hits album.
The 2016 model? It came out swinging with a refined 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine as standard. But for those who like their cars with a side of “holy smokes!”, the HEMI V8 options were there to answer the call. And let’s not forget the SRT Hellcat – a 707 horsepower monster that had gearheads weak at the knees.
Fast forward to 2019, and Dodge wasn’t resting on its laurels. The V8 engine got even better, sipping fuel more efficiently without sacrificing its growl. The Scat Pack Widebody model joined the party, offering grip and handling that could make a racetrack blush.
2020 and 2022? These models doubled down on keeping you safe. Lane departure warnings became standard, as did a rearview camera. Because looking good is important, but getting home in one piece? That’s non-negotiable.
The Neutral Years: 2017, 2023
The 2017 and 2023 models are like the middle child of the Charger family – solid performers, but not quite stealing the spotlight.
These years kept the Charger’s DNA intact, offering the muscle car experience without any major shake-ups. They didn’t set the world on fire with groundbreaking features, but they didn’t drop the ball either.
Think of them as the reliable friend who’s always there when you need them – not flashy, but dependable to the core.
The Worst Years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021
Even the mightiest have their off days, and the 7th generation Charger is no exception. These years? They’re the ones that had Dodge engineers burning the midnight oil.
The 2011 and 2012 models were like a boxer with a glass jaw – tough on the outside, but susceptible to getting knocked out by electrical issues. We’re talking about overheated lighting harness connectors causing low beams to throw in the towel, and power distribution centers getting too hot under the collar, leading to a loss of anti-lock braking and stability control. Not exactly what you want to hear when you’re hitting the gas.
May 7, 2012 saw a colossal recall that had Charger owners breaking out in a cold sweat. The culprit? An overheated fuse that could knock out your anti-lock brakes and stability control. With over 127,350 vehicles affected, this wasn’t just a hiccup – it was a full-blown catastrophe.
And let’s not forget about the airbags that had a mind of their own, potentially deploying when you least expect it. The older the car got, the higher the risk. Talk about aging ungracefully.
The 2013 and 2014 models? They had a bone to pick with alternators, leading to engines that would stall quicker than a terrible comedian.
2018 and 2021 didn’t escape unscathed either, though their issues were more annoyances than deal-breakers. They might not have put your life at risk, but they sure could put a damper on your Charger experience.
Curious about the gory details?
Check out the NHTSA recalls and complaints for the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 Dodge Charger. It’s not easy reading, but knowledge is strength, especially when you’re dealing with this much horsepower.
Dodge Charger Average Resale Values
Want to know how well these beasts hold their value? Take a gander at this graph:
Conclusion
There you have it, folks – the roadmap to selecting the best Dodge Charger year, packed with dependable features and steering clear of the duds.
So, what’s your take? Which features of the top-tier Chargers get your engine roaring? Is it the raw power under the hood, the tech that makes you feel like you’re in a sci-fi movie, or the safety features that let you sleep soundly at night?
Have you taken a Charger from any of these generations for a spin?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s get this conversation into high gear!
