NHTSA complaint #11715643

Owner complaint summary

The A/C evaporator core in my 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat has failed twice within a short period of ownership. The first failure occurred at approximately 20K miles in 2022, when the air conditioning suddenly stopped blowing cold air. The dealership diagnosed a leaking evaporator core and replaced it under warranty. On [XXX] at approximately 50k, the exact same failure occurred again — loss of refrigerant and no cooling. The vehicle again required replacement of the evaporator core, a repair that involves removing the entire dashboard and is extremely labor-intensive and expensive. This appears to be a recurring defect rather than normal wear. I have learned that many other Dodge Charger and Challenger owners report identical evaporator failures, often multiple times, suggesting a possible design or manufacturing flaw with the HVAC evaporator used in these vehicles. Loss of A/C may seem like a comfort issue, but in extreme heat it can create a driver-safety risk due to overheating, window defogging problems, and driver fatigue. I live in Arizona where daytime temperatures regularly climb above 80 degrees, even in the winter. A major component like an evaporator should not repeatedly fail in a late-model vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether 2019–2022 Dodge Charger/Challenger vehicles are experiencing an abnormal rate of evaporator core failures that may warrant a recall, extended warranty, or technical service bulletin. Repairs Performed: • Evaporator core replaced in 2022 at Bill Luke Chrysler / Dodge in Phoenix, AZ • Evaporator core replaced again on February 4th, 2026 at AAA Auto Repair in Phoenix, AZ • Refrigerant leak confirmed both times • Dash removal required for repair Supporting Documents Available: Repair orders, dealership invoices, diagnostic reports INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)