2021 Dodge Challenger Windshield Fastener Recall (21V516)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · 21,258 vehicles · Reported July 8, 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling 21,258 2021 Chrysler 300; 2021 Dodge Challenger; 2021 Dodge Charger vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting." A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V516 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V516000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Y47 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | July 8, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Vehicles | 2021 Chrysler 300; 2021 Dodge Challenger; 2021 Dodge Charger |
| Units affected | 21,258 |
| Component | Visibility > Windshield > Critical Fasteners |
| Safety risk | A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Dodge Challenger in recall 21V516?
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Challenger with recall 21V516?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the critical fasteners.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V516?
Recall 21V516 covers 21,258 vehicles: 2021 Chrysler 300; 2021 Dodge Challenger; 2021 Dodge Charger.
NHTSA lists 21,258 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Chrysler | 300 |
| 2021 | Dodge | Challenger |
| 2021 | Dodge | Charger |
What is the fix for the Challenger windshield fastener recall?
Yes. Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge.
Dealers will remove and replace the front windshield urethane sealant, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y47.
When was recall 21V516 announced?
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) reported recall 21V516 to NHTSA on July 8, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| July 8, 2021 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V516000. |
| August 31, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 63 months ago. If your Challenger was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Challenger is part of recall 21V516?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V516 is open on your Challenger, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021 Challenger vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Challenger owners do about recall 21V516?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V516000 applies to your Challenger.
- Call a Dodge dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Challenger owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 21V516 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 74 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Dodge Charger: 35 complaints in total, 3 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Chrysler 300: 20 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 Dodge Challenger: 19 complaints in total, 1 about the lighting and visibility
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
1. Headlight low/high beam keeps going out and comes back on. It seems like the wiring harness overheating, bulb is fine but continues to go out and on. 2. Transmission, does a very aggressive down shift at gear 6 it makes the car jump and if it happens too much, my car won't accelerate..
2021 Dodge Charger owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11660824, filed May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V198000 (Air Bags) and 21V516000 (Visibility). The dealer was contacted to perform the recall repairs; however, the dealer refused to complete the recall repairs.
2021 Dodge Charger owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11734493, filed April 29, 2026
Can recall 21V516 make my Challenger a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V516000 does not automatically make your Challenger a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021 Dodge Challenger can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Challenger been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Dodge Challenger recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V516
Is the 21V516000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Challenger is part of recall 21V516000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V516000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chrysler, Dodge. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.