Dodge builds some of the most recognizable performance vehicles on the road — but its recent lineup has been hit with a string of safety recalls, from brake-pedal failures on the Hornet to park-system defects on the new electric Charger. When you buy or lease a Dodge, you expect it to work. If yours keeps going back to the dealership for the same problem, you are not imagining it, and you may not be stuck with it.
Take our quick ‘Is My Car a Lemon?’ quiz, then contact The Barry Law Firm for a FREE case review. Our California Dodge lemon law attorneys are ready to help.
Is your Dodge a lemon under California Law?
For your Dodge to qualify as a lemon under California law, you must have bought or leased it with a written warranty from a dealership — like those given to new or certified pre-owned vehicles — not from a private party. You also need to have brought the vehicle to a certified dealership for repair attempts while it was under warranty, and the problem must substantially affect the vehicle’s safety, value, or use.
As a general benchmark under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, your Dodge may qualify as a lemon if:
- The same defect isn’t fixed after four or more repair attempts, or
- Your vehicle is out of service for 30 or more cumulative days, and
- The problem generally arose within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Serious safety defects — like brake failure — can qualify with fewer repair attempts. Every case is different, so the best way to know is a free case review. For more, read our essential checklist for telling if your car is a lemon.
Defects in Dodge Vehicles That Can Warrant a Lemon Law Claim
Any material defect that can’t be fixed in a reasonable number of attempts can qualify your Dodge as a lemon. Common defects include:
- Transmission problems
- Engine failure, imbalances, or throttle problems
- Loss of power
- Excessive oil consumption
- Brake problems
- Airbag malfunctions
- Faulty backup cameras
- Defective fuel pumps
- Driver warnings that fail to illuminate
- Defective Total Integrated Power Modules (“TIPM”) — mainly on older Dodge models
Defects behind recent Dodge recalls, and complaints include:
- Brake-pedal collapse (Dodge Hornet) — a brake pedal that can give way and cause loss of braking without warning
- Park-system / rollaway defect (electric Dodge Charger) — loss of the Park function that can let the vehicle roll away
- Missing pedestrian-warning sound (electric Dodge Charger) — software errors that silence the exterior alert system
- Brake/ABS module defect (Dodge Durango) — antilock brake and traction-control faults
- Electrical faults (Dodge Hornet) — the most-reported complaint category for the model
Dodge Models That Could Be Lemons
Current models:
- Charger (including the new Charger Daytona EV)
- Durango
- Hornet
Earlier and discontinued models (still covered while under warranty):
- Challenger
- Grand Caravan
- Journey
- Dart
- Avenger
- Viper
What to do if your Dodge is a lemon
To bring a Dodge lemon law case, you’ll want to gather key documents and take a few steps:
- Contact The Barry Law Firm for a FREE consultation.
- Collect all repair orders (request them from a certified dealership if needed).
- Gather your warranty, purchase or lease agreement, and registration.
- Save all communication with the dealership and manufacturer.
- Document every problem with your vehicle, including dates and symptoms.
- Keep receipts for related costs, such as towing or rental cars.
Not sure whether to act yet? Here’s what to do when your car is recalled.
Dodge Recalls in 2025 and 2026
Dodge’s current models have been the subject of several recent safety recalls, and the pattern matters for lemon law claims:
- Dodge Hornet — brake pedal collapse. Chrysler (FCA US) recalled 2024–2025 Hornet plug-in hybrids (along with the related Alfa Romeo Tonale) — roughly 21,000 vehicles — because the brake pedal can collapse and cause a loss of braking without warning. A follow-up brake recall was issued in January 2026.
- Dodge Charger (electric) — rollaway risk. Certain 2024–2025 Charger EVs were recalled because an incorrectly installed spring can cause a loss of the Park function, allowing the vehicle to roll away. A separate recall covered missing amplifier software that can silence the exterior pedestrian-warning sound.
- Dodge Durango — brake/ABS defect. A December 2025 recall covers the Durango’s antilock brake / traction control module; dealers replace the integrated pressure transducer and update the ABS software.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Dodge Hornet alone has drawn well over 100 owner complaints, with electrical faults and brakes among the most-reported problems.
Why does this matter to you? California lemon law focuses on whether the manufacturer had a fair chance to fix a defect and failed. A recall history full of delayed, incomplete, or repeated repairs is exactly the pattern that can support a claim.
Read more: Dodge’s recent recalls and what they mean for California owners
How California’s 2025 Lemon Law Changes Affect Dodge Owners
California updated its lemon law for vehicles delivered new on or after January 1, 2025, through AB 1755 and SB 26. Dodge’s manufacturer, Stellantis (FCA US), has opted in to the new system, which means Dodge owners now have to follow specific steps — including a written pre-suit notice — before filing certain claims.
A few things to know:
- You generally must file within one year after your written warranty expires, or six years from the vehicle’s delivery date, whichever is later.
- If you request a buyback or replacement, an opted-in manufacturer must respond within 30 days.
- Because Stellantis is opted in, timing matters — missing a deadline or a required step can delay or complicate your claim.
Learn more about the time limits for filing a California lemon law claim, and don’t wait to get your case reviewed.
Dodge Lemon Law: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Dodge recall mean my car is a lemon? No. A recall by itself does not make your Dodge a lemon. But if the repairs keep failing, the fix takes too long, or the same problem never goes away, your vehicle may qualify under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
What Dodge models are being recalled in 2025 and 2026? Recent Dodge recalls include the Hornet (brake-pedal collapse and electrical issues), the electric Charger (Park-system/rollaway risk and a missing pedestrian-warning sound), and the Durango (antilock brake and traction-control module defect).
How many repair attempts before my Dodge qualifies as a lemon in California? As a general benchmark, a Dodge may qualify after four or more repair attempts for the same defect, or after 30 or more cumulative days out of service, typically within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles. Serious safety defects, such as brake failure, can qualify with fewer attempts.
What if my Dodge warranty ran out after my first repair? You may still have rights if the problem first appeared while the vehicle was under warranty. Good documentation showing when the defect began is important to support your claim.
Do I have to pay a Dodge lemon law attorney? No. Under California’s lemon law, the manufacturer pays the attorney fees if the claim succeeds. The Barry Law Firm does not charge you fees for a Dodge lemon law case.
Dodge Lemon Law Resources
- RAM 1500 problems
- How to tell if your car is a lemon: the essential checklist
- What car problems qualify for lemon law in California
- Time limits for filing a California lemon law claim
- What you should do when your car is recalled
- California lemon law for used cars
- California lemon law requirements
Talk to California’s Premier Lemon Law Firm Today
Contact The Barry Law Firm today if you believe your Dodge has turned out to be a lemon. Our experienced Intake Specialists understand exactly what you’re going through and handle every detail of your case from start to finish.
We’ve helped thousands of consumers across California, and you won’t pay us out of pocket — when you win, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees. Don’t wait: call or contact us online today for a FREE consultation to find out if your new, certified pre-owned, or used Dodge qualifies.
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