Recall 18V280 covers 71 2018 Dodge vehicles for an incorrect transmission park lock rod. Repair will be free once available.
Dodge is recalling 71 2018 Charger, Challenger, Durango, 300, Grand Cherokee, 1500, and Wrangler vehicles because the transmission has an incorrect park lock rod. That part can keep the transmission from holding PARK, allowing unintended vehicle movement and increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The park lock rod is a small part inside the automatic transmission that helps the vehicle stay in PARK. When PARK is selected, the transmission should lock the driveline so the 2018 Charger, Challenger, Durango, 300, Grand Cherokee, 1500, and Wrangler stay still after the driver shifts out of gear. The parking brake is still important, but PARK is supposed to hold the vehicle from moving.
On affected vehicles, the transmission was built with the wrong park lock rod. The car and SUV or truck rods are different, so the wrong rod can keep the transmission from fully reaching or holding PARK. If that happens, the vehicle can move unintentionally after the driver believes it is parked, putting occupants or people outside the vehicle at risk.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the vehicle moves after you shift into PARK, set the parking brake, keep people clear of the vehicle's path, and have the transmission checked through the recall repair path.
Who's affected?
Spans seven 2018 models, all tied to the automatic transmission.
| 2018 Dodge Charger | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2018 Dodge Challenger | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Dodge Durango | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Chrysler 300 | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Ram 1500 | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Jeep Wrangler | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 71 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect park lock rod can prevent the transmission from holding PARK, which increases the risk of unintended vehicle movement and a crash. There is no warning sign before this happens. Confirm whether your VIN is included and follow Dodge dealer guidance before relying on PARK alone. Repair will be free at any franchised Dodge dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango, 300, Grand Cherokee, 1500, or Wrangler is included in this recall.
- Check your mail for the owner notice Chrysler mailed on June 28, 2018 before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer to confirm the free park-lock-rod replacement that fixes the transmission issue that stops PARK from holding the vehicle.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 18V280 and Chrysler recall U43 when you call.
- Set the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Once the dealer repair is available, a Dodge technician will install the correct transmission park lock rod. The final dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under recall 18V280. If you already paid for a related repair before the owner letter, the reimbursement process asks for the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment so the expense can be confirmed. Keep copies for the service desk and customer care.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 1, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 20, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 20, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V280?
Recall 18V280 covers 71 2018 Charger, Challenger, Durango, 300, Grand Cherokee, 1500, and Wrangler vehicles with an incorrect transmission park lock rod. The transmission can fail to hold PARK, increasing the risk of unintended movement and a crash. Dodge dealers will install the correct rod for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Charger, Challenger, Durango, 300, Grand Cherokee, 1500, or Wrangler is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V280. If it is, contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the park lock rod repair. Reference recall number 18V280 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V280, the dealer will install the correct transmission park lock rod free of charge, including covered parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended vehicle movement. If the wrong park lock rod is installed, the transmission can fail to shift into PARK and hold the vehicle still, increasing crash risk. Until your VIN is checked and repaired, use the parking brake every time you park.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began June 28, 2018. That means affected owners can contact a franchised Dodge dealer about the free park lock rod repair now. Have your VIN ready and reference recall number 18V280 when you call.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V280000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V280 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V280000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →