About Dodge
Dodge is Stellantis's performance brand — the Charger and Challenger muscle cars and the Durango SUV. A Dodge VIN reveals the model, assembly plant, engine family (3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L / 6.4L HEMI V8, or the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8), body class, and every open NHTSA recall. CheckMyVIN runs the full lookup in about 30 seconds, free.
Founded 1900 and headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Stellantis North America), Dodge vehicles register their VIN data with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you enter a Dodge VIN above, CheckMyVIN queries the NHTSA VPIC database directly — pulling the same federally certified specs that the manufacturer reported when the vehicle was sold.
Dodge uses several WMI codes (2C3, 1C3, 1C4, and more) depending on plant and model line — see the full Dodge VIN Decoder for the complete table and a per-position walkthrough.
Where to find your Dodge VIN
- Driver-side dashboard, near windshieldStand outside the vehicle on the driver's side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. The 17-character VIN is engraved on a metal plate visible through the glass.
- Driver's door jamb stickerOpen the driver's door and look at the door jamb (the frame the door closes against). A federal certification label lists the VIN, tire pressures, and gross vehicle weight rating.
- Vehicle title, registration & insurance cardThe VIN appears on the title, current registration, and insurance documents. If buying used, cross-check the VIN on the car against every document — any mismatch is a major red flag.
What CheckMyVIN shows for Dodge
Every Dodge report includes the decoded specifications (engine, drive type, transmission, plant, body class), every open recall NHTSA has on file for the year/model/make combination, an AI-written plain-English summary, and the maintenance specs CheckMyVIN can confidently match by engine code. Tire sizes vary by trim and are always marked "Varies by trim — check door-jamb label" rather than guessed.
Common Dodge issues to check before buying
Brand-specific known issues — useful as a pre-purchase inspection checklist. CheckMyVIN does not flag these per VIN; verify against service history.
HEMI "tick" / MDS lifter and camshaft wear
2009+ Charger, Challenger, Durango with the 5.7L / 6.4L HEMI
The 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI V8s can develop a top-end "HEMI tick" and, more seriously, Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifter failure that wipes a camshaft lobe — a misfire and an expensive cam/lifter job. Listen for a persistent tick (not just cold-start) and a stored misfire code; ask whether the lifters/cam were serviced. Many owners disable MDS with a tune to reduce the risk.
3.6L Pentastar V6 early cylinder-head failure
2011–2013 Charger, Durango (and Avenger) with the early 3.6L
Like other early Pentastar V6s, 2011–2013 units had a left-bank head failure causing a tick and misfire, generally covered by a warranty extension at the time. Revised heads from 2014 on resolved it. On a 2011–2013, listen for a tick and a stored misfire code and ask whether the head was replaced.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) electrical faults
2011–2014 Charger, Durango and other FCA models
The under-hood TIPM fuse/relay computer can fail intermittently — symptoms include no-start, stalling, fuel-pump-relay failure, and random electrical gremlins (wipers, horn, lights). A pattern of unexplained electrical complaints on an FCA-era Dodge points here; replacement runs several hundred to ~$1,000+.
High theft rate & SRT/Hellcat ownership cost
Charger / Challenger, especially SRT, Scat Pack, and Hellcat
Charger and Challenger — particularly the high-output SRT/Hellcat cars — have elevated theft rates and high insurance and tire/brake costs, and a supercharged Hellcat that has been tuned or tracked carries real drivetrain risk. Verify a clean title and theft history, check for tune/track use, and budget for performance-car maintenance.
Dodge buyer's notes
On any HEMI Charger/Challenger/Durango, the MDS lifter/cam risk is the main mechanical concern — a persistent tick plus a misfire code is the warning, and a documented lifter/cam job is reassuring. Confirm the 2018 transmission park-lock-rod recall (18V280000) is closed. On 2011–2013, check the 3.6 Pentastar head; on FCA-era cars watch for TIPM symptoms. On an SRT/Hellcat, verify theft history, tune/track use, and insurance cost before buying. A Dodge dealer can pull the full build and service history from the VIN through the Mopar service system — Mopar being Stellantis's parts/service brand, not the make.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Dodge Charger VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN above. CheckMyVIN reads it through the official NHTSA VPIC database and returns model, model year, body class, engine, assembly plant, drive type, and any open recalls. It works for any Dodge in NHTSA records — Charger, Challenger, Durango, Journey, Hornet, and the legacy Dart, Avenger, and Grand Caravan.
Where is the VIN on a Dodge Charger or Challenger?
Three places: the dash plate at the base of the windshield (driver side, visible through the glass), the driver-door jamb certification label, and the title/registration. Charger and Challenger are built in Brampton, Ontario, so the VIN starts with 2; the Durango (Detroit) starts with 1. Always cross-check the dash VIN against the door-jamb label and the title before buying.
How do I check for Dodge recalls by VIN?
Every Dodge lookup on CheckMyVIN automatically queries NHTSA recall records for the year/make/model and lists each open campaign with its official NHTSA campaign number and the dealer remedy. The full Dodge recall page is at /dodge/recall.
Does the Dodge VIN show the engine (HEMI, Hellcat)?
Yes — NHTSA VPIC returns the engine displacement and configuration, including the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 5.7L and 6.4L (392) HEMI V8s, and the supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8. CheckMyVIN shows it in the Vehicle Specifications block. The VIN confirms the engine family; the exact output trim is in the build sheet.
Is a Dodge a "Mopar" car?
No — the make is Dodge. Mopar is Stellantis's service and parts brand for Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, FIAT, and Alfa Romeo, not a vehicle manufacturer. A Dodge dealer uses the Mopar system to pull build and parts data from the VIN, but the VIN decodes to the Dodge marque.
Does CheckMyVIN work for Durango and the Hornet?
Yes — any 17-character Dodge VIN, regardless of model. The report adapts to the body class and powertrain, from the three-row Durango to the Hornet (including its plug-in hybrid R/T variant).