Quick take
The 2019 Challenger is the newest car covered on this site, and it is the year Dodge widened the performance lineup with a Widebody Scat Pack and a hotter Hellcat. NHTSA has 58 complaints on file and three recalls. That is the second-lowest complaint count of the five years here, but the pattern is different from the earlier cars: wheels, front brake and suspension fitment, steering and the infotainment system lead the list.
Before you buy, verify the front wheel and brake recall, check all four wheels and the front suspension closely, and test the steering assist. If the car is a 392 or Hellcat, add questions about tires, brake wear, cooling and any tune.
What changed for 2019
The 2019 car kept the 2015 refresh body and interior, but the trim list kept growing. New for the year were the Hellcat Redeye, a more powerful version of the supercharged car, and a Widebody option for the R/T Scat Pack. The Widebody package, with flared fenders and wider tires, had first appeared on the Hellcat for 2018. Below those sat the V6 cars, the 5.7-liter R/T and the all-wheel-drive GT introduced earlier.
This matters because the front wheel and brake recall is about a wheel and brake combination that does not fit together. With several wheel and brake setups on offer, confirm that the car's wheels, tires and brakes are the ones it left the factory with, or a documented and compatible change. The 2018 report covers the year before, and the overview explains the generation.
Known trouble spots to check
NHTSA's most-reported groups for 2019 are electrical system (16), unknown or other (14), wheels (11), steering (8), engine (7) and power train (7), followed by air bags (5) and suspension (4).
Wheels, tires and front suspension. Eleven wheel complaints is a lot for a single year, and a recall covers part of the same ground. Owners describe fronts that wear on the inside edge, tire sidewall damage, rubbing noises, a thump when turning, and one report of a flat that led to a loss of control. One owner says a lower control arm and ball joint broke while driving. These are individual accounts, but the themes line up with the recall. Look closely at the inside shoulder of both front tires. Turn the wheel lock to lock with a helper watching the wheel wells. Listen for rubbing or scraping at full lock. Ask whether the recall was done and whether the dealer replaced wheels, tires or brake parts.
Steering. Owners describe the steering locking or sticking in a notch during turns, power assist cutting in and out, and a car that showed erratic steering and had to be returned to the dealer shortly after a certified pre-owned purchase. Messages like a steering motion warning come up. Test low-speed turns and highway lane changes, and ask a shop to scan for steering codes.
Infotainment and electrical. The camera screen sometimes sticks on the rearview image after the car leaves reverse, and a few owners report the whole system going dark. Others mention keyless entry failures, power outlets that stopped working and a smart window feature that quit after a battery change. A rear camera recall exists for the stuck-camera behavior. One owner says an electrical repair required a full wiring kit. Test the screen, shifting between park, reverse and drive several times.
Engine and driveline. Complaints include a sudden engine shutdown on a Hellcat Redeye at highway speed, a report of an oil cooler failing and a rear differential that came apart. There was also a report of sudden revs that would not drop while the brakes were held. One-off accounts, but they remind you that on a high-power car, the cooling, driveline and engine computer deserve attention. Look at the rear axle area for fluid leaks and listen for whine or clunks.
Fire reports. Three fires appear in NHTSA's incident count for this year. One owner says a parked car under a cover caught fire near a headlight. That is a single account with no cause given in the data. Check headlight wiring and fuse areas for heat marks.
General checks:
- Look inside the wheel wells for rubbing marks on liners and tires.
- Check front brake pad thickness and rotor condition.
- Look for oil around the engine oil cooler area on V8 cars.
- Check rear A/C performance. One owner says several 2018 to 2020 cars had a failed evaporator, but that is an unconfirmed owner claim.
- Listen for a loud popping sound at startup, which one owner reported more than a hundred times.
Recalls on a car this age
NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2019 Challenger.
- Front wheel and brake package. Covers certain 2019 Challengers and Chargers. An incompatible front wheel and brake combination was installed, which may allow the front tire to touch the steering knuckle and damage the tire. If the car has that issue, a tire could fail.
- Instrument cluster. Covers certain 2019 Challengers, Chargers and Chrysler 300s. The cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings.
- Rearview camera. Covers certain 2019 Challengers, among many other models, that have the 8.4-inch or 12-inch radio screen. A software error can leave the rear camera image on after the car is shifted out of reverse.
Recall repairs are free at a Dodge dealer. All three recalls name specific vehicles, so check the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup rather than assuming. If the front brake and wheel recall applies, confirm in writing what was done.
Test-drive checklist
- Inspect the front tires' inner shoulders and the sidewalls before you leave.
- Cold start and look at the instrument cluster. Every warning light should illuminate and then go out.
- Shift between park, reverse and drive several times to confirm the screen returns to normal.
- Drive slowly with the wheel turned full lock each way and listen for rubbing from the front wheels.
- At highway speed, change lanes and make a firm curve, watching for any steering stiffness or warning message.
- Brake hard from highway speed in a safe spot. The car should stop straight with a firm pedal and no pulsing.
- On a manual, check the clutch. On an automatic, notice any hesitation or harsh gear changes.
- After the drive, look under the car for drips near the engine, differential and front wheels.
Before you hand over money
- VIN recall check for all three campaigns above.
- History report for accidents, repaired wheels and suspension work.
- Independent inspection. Ask for a wheel and tire check, a steering and suspension inspection, a module scan and a look at the rear differential and oil cooler area.
Newer performance cars are often modified. Ask about tunes, intake, exhaust, supercharger pulleys, wheels, tires and brake pads. Ask who did the work, whether the car has been to a track or strip, and whether it still has the original engine computer. Hard launches and big tires load the driveline, so a rear axle, driveshaft and transmission check is sensible on any 392 or Hellcat.
To see what a payment might look like, use the payment calculator.
Is it the right car for you?
A 2019 R/T, GT or Scat Pack suits someone who wants the most up-to-date version of this platform, with more trim choices and a refined interior. A Widebody or Hellcat suits a buyer who wants maximum presence and is comfortable paying for wide tires and brakes.
Look elsewhere if you want the simplest electronics, or if a steering or wheel problem would worry you. If you plan track days, ask about the car's history before you consider upgrades.
Bottom line
The 2019 Challenger is the freshest used option here, with a record that looks decent on paper but a clear focus on wheels, steering and software. Confirm the recalls, inspect the front end carefully and get a scan before you pay.