Recall 18V281 covers 13,928 2015-2018 Dodge Charger police vehicles for a front driveshaft that can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Dodge dealer.
Dodge is recalling 13,928 2015-2018 Charger pursuit police vehicles with all-wheel drive and V8 engines because the front driveshaft universal joint can seize or fracture. If the driveshaft detaches, it can become a road hazard and raise the risk of a crash; Dodge dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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 front prop shaft on 2015-2018 Dodge Charger AWD Pursuit police vehicles with V8 engines is the driveline shaft that helps send engine power to the front wheels. A universal joint, often called a U-joint, lets that shaft move as the suspension and driveline angle change. The joint has to rotate freely while holding the shaft in line under load.
In this recall, the U-joint on the front prop shaft can seize or fracture. If the joint locks up or breaks, the shaft can separate at that joint instead of staying connected to the driveline. After the joint separates, the front prop shaft can detach from the vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. A field examination of a police fleet vehicle with early-life symptoms found no detectable noise or vibration during a test drive, so owners and fleet managers should not rely on sound or vibration to identify this defect.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2015-2018 Charger model years, all tied to the same driveline component.
| 2015 Dodge Charger | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2016 Dodge Charger | driveline |
| 2017 Dodge Charger | driveline |
| 2018 Dodge Charger | driveline |
| Units affected | 13,928 |
| 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 your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front driveshaft detaches from the Charger, it creates a road hazard for other traffic and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before detachment, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Dodge dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Dodge Charger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the free front driveshaft replacement that addresses the universal joint seizure or fracture.
- Bring the recall notice if Dodge mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V281 when you call.
- Call Dodge customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with questions about recall U37 or dealer scheduling.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the front driveshaft replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Dodge technician replaces the front driveshaft covered by recall 18V281. The universal joint and shaft assembly are handled as part of that replacement, and parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a driveshaft repair tied to this issue, the reimbursement process asks for the original receipt or other proof of payment so the expense can be confirmed. Bring that paperwork to the service desk or submit it through the owner letter instructions.
| 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 27, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V281?
Recall 18V281 covers 13,928 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint can seize or fracture, allowing the shaft to detach from the vehicle. Dodge dealers will replace the front driveshaft for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Dodge Charger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Charger is included in recall 18V281. If it is, contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the front driveshaft replacement. Reference recall number 18V281 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost, and Dodge dealers will replace the front driveshaft free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018, so the dealer repair is available now.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the front driveshaft can detach from the Charger and create a road hazard, increasing crash risk. The fix is a free front driveshaft replacement at a franchised Dodge dealer.
What if I bought this Dodge Charger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Charger is included, then call a franchised Dodge dealer and reference recall number 18V281.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V281000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V281 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V281000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 →