Recall 13V103 affects 4,051 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles with V6 engines for a starter-cable short. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Dodge dealer.
A short circuit creates a vehicle-fire risk. Do not drive this Challenger, even for short trips. If it must move, call the dealer and ask about towing, then keep it away from structures while you wait. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
Dodge is recalling 4,051 2013 Challenger vehicles with V6 engines because the battery positive cable at the starter motor can short to ground. A short circuit raises the risk of a vehicle fire. Do not drive the vehicle until a Dodge dealer completes the free repair once it is available.
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What's wrong?
The battery positive cable on the 2013 Dodge Challenger carries electrical power from the battery to the starter motor. The starter motor uses that power to turn the engine over when you start the car. This cable is live whenever the battery is connected, so it has to stay isolated from grounded metal parts under the hood.
On affected Challenger vehicles with a V6 engine, the positive cable at the starter motor can short to ground. In plain terms, power leaves the cable and flows into a metal ground path instead of staying inside the starter circuit. That creates an unintended electrical path at a high-current connection, the exact area that needs clean, protected contact to start the engine.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the underhood wiring at the starter motor, so the driver is not expected to see a warning light or feel a change in how the car drives before the short happens.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Dodge Challenger | wiring |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 4,051 |
Not every 2013 Dodge Challenger is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
A short circuit creates a vehicle-fire risk. Do not drive this Challenger, even for short trips. If it must move, call the dealer and ask about towing, then keep it away from structures while you wait. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Dodge Challenger is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the starter-cable repair is complete.
- Park outside and away from structures until the repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the free starter-cable assembly replacement that fixes the under-hood electrical short risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V103 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Dodge also instructs affected owners not to park in or near structures. At the dealer, a Dodge technician replaces the under hood starter cable assembly, which addresses the battery positive cable short circuit at the starter motor. The recall filing identifies this as a free dealer repair. Contact a Dodge dealer before moving the vehicle and ask how they want the vehicle brought in for service.
Timeline
| March 21, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 22, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V103?
Recall 13V103 covers 4,051 2013 Dodge Challenger vehicles with a V6 engine and a battery-positive cable at the starter motor that can short to ground. A short circuit can lead to a vehicle fire. Do not drive an included vehicle until the free dealer repair is complete.
What should I do if my 2013 Dodge Challenger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Challenger is included in recall 13V103. If it is, Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a franchised Dodge dealer and reference recall 13V103. Ask the dealer how to move the vehicle safely and about towing.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Dodge dealers will replace the under-hood starter cable assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for an included 2013 Challenger.
What does 'do not drive' mean for recall 13V103?
Do not drive means leave the vehicle parked until the dealer completes the repair. Dodge told affected owners to immediately refrain from driving and to contact a dealer. The filing also told owners not to park the vehicle in or near structures.
What if I bought my 2013 Dodge Challenger used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the owner notice mailed on March 22, 2013, check your VIN and reference recall 13V103 when you call a franchised Dodge dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V103000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-247-9753 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V103 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V103000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →