Dodge
For decades, Dodge branded its cars as “The Dependables,” and its pickup truck was “Ram Tough.” But Dodges aren’t always so dependable, and Rams aren’t always as tough as they seem. In the last ten years or so, Dodge has recalled millions of vehicles for serious safety defects, including getting stuck on cruise control, the ability of others to remotely take control of your vehicle through the radio, confusing gear shifters that make you think you’re in park when you’re not, and, of course, exploding airbag inflators.
Learn more about Dodge below, including its illustrious beginnings at the dawn of the automotive revolution to its more recent history of safety defects and recalls. Remember that if you own or lease a Dodge and experience defects under warranty that substantially impact the vehicle’s safety, use, or value, you have rights under California lemon law to a refund or replacement when the dealer can’t fix your problem after a reasonable number of attempts. Nita Lemon Law Firm can help with that. Contact our office to speak with an experienced and dedicated California lemon law attorney.
Who Is Dodge?
Dodge was founded by the Dodge brothers near the start of the 20th century. The company started out in life as a parts supplier to Ford and other Detroit-based automakers (including supplying the chassis of Ford’s Model A and building transmissions for Oldsmobile) before entering the manufacturing game in its own right in 1914. Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, about 30 minutes outside of Detroit, Dodge was once Chrysler’s mid-level brand. Today, it is a division of Stellantis, the multinational automotive juggernaut formed from the merger of European PSA Group (Peugeot Citroën, DS, Opel, Vauxhall) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which includes Chrysler, Jeep, and Alfa Romeo, along with Dodge and Ram.
Dodge has produced countless models over the years, which were well-known in their time and competed well in the automobile market. Some popular models included:
- Aries K (Chrysler “K” car)
- Caravan/Grand Caravan
- Challenger
- Charger
- Dakota
- Dart
- Daytona
- Durango
- Intrepid
- Neon
- Ram
- Stratus
- Viper
- and many others
Ram was spun off as its own brand in 2010. Current models in production today include the Attitude and Journey, sold in Mexico, and the Hornet, sold in Canada. Dodge’s only models sold domestically today are the Charger and Durango. Charger sales dropped precipitously in 2024 to only 34,754 units, less than half what they sold in recent years. Sales of Dodge Durango models also slid somewhat in 2024, amounting to 59,357 units sold compared to 69,196 in 2023. Ram sales, while declining as well, greatly outpace the performance of Dodge, with 439,037 units sold in 2024.
Dodge Safety Defects and Recalls
Airbag Inflators
Dodge and Ram did not escape the Takata airbag inflator recalls, which swept through the automotive industry starting in 2013. FCA’s 2015 recall covered six different Dodge Ram series from 2004-2010, plus Dodge Durango SUVs, Dodge Charger Sedans, and other models from 2005-2011. All told, FCA recalled over four million vehicles in that sweep. Another recall later that same year picked up an additional 438,000 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 series from 2003.
A follow-up recall by FCA in 2016 pulled another 4.3 million vehicles with Takata front passenger airbag inflators, including Dodge Challenger coupes, Dodge Charger, Dakota pickups, Durango SUVS, and more Dodge Rams, variously covering model years from 2004 to 2012.
Fiat Chrysler reported a 44.7% completion rate as of 2018, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says around one-quarter of recalls aren’t completed by consumers.
Cruise Control
A software issue that could prevent a driver from canceling their cruise control led to a recall in 2018 that included 2015-18 Dodge Challengers and 2014-2018 Dodge Chargers, Journey crossovers and Durango SUVs.
Remote Access
Another software issue led to a 2015 recall to close the open cellular connection on 2013-15 Dodge Vipers, 2014-15 Durangos, and 2015 Chargers and Challengers. Until the problem was fixed, strangers could remotely access vehicle control systems through the radio.
Gear Shifters
Fiat Chrysler also recalled 2012-14 Chargers in 2016 because of confusing gear shifters that could cause a driver to think they put the vehicle in park and get out of the car when, in fact, it was still in gear.
Other recalls in recent years have affected critical safety features such as the antilock brake system and electronic stability control (2018-19 Durango, 2022 Durango and Ram 2500 and 3500), side curtain air bag inflators (2018-21 Charger), and tire pressure monitoring systems (2022 Challenger and Charger). These are all open recalls. Owners and lessees should check their VINs at the Dodge website or the recall page managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see whether their vehicles are affected.
What if I Have a Lemon Dodge?
FCA US LLC (Stellantis), and therefore Dodge, is among the manufacturers that opted into the new procedures for lemon law claims passed into law by the California legislature in 2024/2025. This new procedure places several obstacles in your path before you can file a lawsuit to get your lemon vehicle refunded or replaced. If you have a potential lemon law claim with your Dodge, you must first send a written complaint to the manufacturer that details the problem (or problems) you are having. Dodge can then take as long as 30 days to acknowledge they received your complaint and up to 30 days more to fix the car or replace it.
Mediation is also required before a lawsuit can be filed, and it must take place not sooner than 90 days nor later than 150 days from Dodge’s response. During this period, you will have only a limited ability to force documents from Dodge that could help prove your case. If this process leaves your issue unresolved, you may file a lawsuit in court, but you only have one year from the date of warranty expiration to do so, with another hard deadline of six years from the date the vehicle was delivered to file suit.
Contact Nita Lemon Law Firm With Your California Lemon Law Claim
Nita Lemon Law Firm helps car buyers and lessees throughout California exercise their rights under California’s lemon law. Contact us for a free consultation to understand your rights, explore your options, and get skilled legal assistance resolving your problem to your satisfaction while making the most of the legal protection California law offers you.
