Software Defect in New Dodge Chargers Could Increase Risk for Pedestrians

Thousands of 2024-2025 Dodge Charger electric vehicles may be missing a key safety feature, prompting a federal recall that could impact drivers nationwide. FCA US, LLC, the manufacturer of Dodge vehicles, has issued a voluntary recall affecting more than 8,000 cars due to a defect that prevents the vehicles from emitting required exterior warning sounds, a critical alert for pedestrians and other road users.

The issue stems from amplifiers that may have been installed without a complete software upload. According to the recall notice submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these amplifiers could fail to produce the mandated “2-band alert” and “relative volume change” sounds, which are intended to make electric vehicles detectable to pedestrians—especially at low speeds when they run nearly silent. Without these alerts, the vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141, potentially increasing the risk of collisions involving unsuspecting pedestrians.

The defect affects 2024 and 2025 model-year Dodge Chargers produced between April 30, 2024, and March 18, 2025. FCA US estimates about 3% of the 8,390 vehicles involved may actually carry the defect. The company discovered the issue during an internal investigation that began in April 2025 and confirmed a safety risk by mid-May. On June 6, FCA US decided to proceed with the voluntary recall.

Owners of affected vehicles will begin receiving recall notifications in July 2025. FCA will instruct dealerships to inspect and, if necessary, update the software on the amplifier to ensure the required sound features are enabled. There are no reports of accidents or injuries tied to the defect at this time, and there is no known warning sign for drivers to detect the malfunction. Vehicle owners can search by their VIN starting June 19 to determine if their car is part of the recall.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V389 issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Chrysler (FCA US, LLC).

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