NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 29 complaints against the 2021 Dodge Charger. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Dodge Charger complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Dodge Charger has generated 145 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2021 Dodge Charger has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Dodge pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2021 Dodge Charger has 55 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V198000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.” (NHTSA Complaint #11641193)
The 2021 Dodge Charger has generated 15 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “No incident happened. My 2021 Charger windshield has not been recalled due to the adhesive around the edge of windshield.” (NHTSA Complaint #11656119)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Dodge Charger have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 10 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle downshifted with the “Service Transmission” message displayed. The contact stated that the continue to drive and do not shift message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and noticed that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic was contacted and informed the contact that the head gasket might have failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11622931)
The 2021 Dodge Charger has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Rear doors cannot be opened from the inside when the child proof locks are in the open position, or the locked position. They can only be opened for the inside when unlocked from the drivers unlock panel.” (NHTSA Complaint #11693721)
The 2021 Dodge Charger has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while installing the car seats in the rear of the vehicle, the contact became aware that the driver’s side and passenger’s side rear seat belts would loosen unintendedly while attempting to fasten the seat belts. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,702.” (NHTSA Complaint #11681827)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Dodge Charger by the NHTSA or Dodge. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A windshield that separates from the vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning February 20, 2025. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 19B.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Dodge Charger:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Dodge to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Dodge must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Dodge Charger qualifies as a lemon under California law, Dodge may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Dodge a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Dodge dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Dodge pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Dodge a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Dodge is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Dodge Charger has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
Get a free case evaluation. Dodge pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.
Check My Refund Amount →