At a Glance
Dodge has 62 identified common problems across 23 models, with the Nitro being the most affected model and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 186K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Dodge common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 186K DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Dodge models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Dodge Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 23 Dodge models.
Caliber
Most common: Suspension
Ram
Most common: Brakes
Nitro
Most common: Brakes
Journey
Most common: Brakes
Avenger
Most common: Brakes
Challenger
Most common: Brakes
Charger
Most common: Brakes
Viper
Most common: Suspension
Dakota
Most common: Suspension
Most Common Dodge MOT Failures
Every reason Dodge vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.80% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.01% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.17% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 5.82% |
| 5 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.78% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.62% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.44% |
| 8 | Track rod end worn | 4.11% |
| 9 | Front lamp not working | 3.97% |
| 10 | Tyre condition | 3.71% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.07% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.92% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.34% |
| 14 | Fog lamp not working | 2.13% |
| 15 | Indicator fault | 2.05% |
| 16 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.98% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.73% |
| 18 | Position lamp not working | 1.60% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.40% |
| 20 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.38% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.37% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 1.35% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.31% |
| 24 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.22% |
| 25 | Driveshaft fault | 0.96% |
| 26 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.96% |
| 27 | Airbag warning light on | 0.86% |
| 28 | ABS fault | 0.76% |
| 29 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.76% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.71% |
| 31 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.58% |
| 32 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.57% |
| 33 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.57% |
| 34 | Parking brake condition | 0.55% |
| 35 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.54% |
| 36 | Horn not working | 0.53% |
| 37 | Rear lamp not working | 0.52% |
| 38 | Chassis condition | 0.48% |
| 39 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.48% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.46% |
| 41 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.41% |
| 42 | Steering rack fault | 0.40% |
| 43 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.37% |
| 44 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.33% |
| 45 | Front suspension fault | 0.32% |
| 46 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.31% |
| 47 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.30% |
| 48 | Drag link end worn | 0.29% |
| 49 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.26% |
| 50 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.22% |
| 51 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.21% |
| 52 | Rear suspension fault | 0.21% |
| 53 | Brake pedal fault | 0.20% |
| 54 | Steering lock fault | 0.19% |
| 55 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.18% |
| 56 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.18% |
| 57 | Electrical switch fault | 0.18% |
| 58 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.18% |
| 59 | Steering free play excessive | 0.17% |
| 60 | Brake caliper fault | 0.16% |
| 61 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.16% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.16% |
| 63 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.15% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 65 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.14% |
| 66 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 67 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.13% |
| 68 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 69 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.12% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 71 | Propshaft fault | 0.11% |
| 72 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.11% |
| 73 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.11% |
| 74 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.11% |
| 75 | Steering arm worn | 0.10% |
| 76 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 77 | Steering box fault | 0.09% |
| 78 | Engine oil leak | 0.08% |
| 79 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 80 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.07% |
| 81 | Driver door fault | 0.07% |
| 82 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.07% |
| 83 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 84 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 85 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 86 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 87 | Driver airbag fault | 0.06% |
| 88 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 89 | Suspension unit fault | 0.06% |
| 90 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 91 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 92 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 93 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.05% |
| 94 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 95 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 96 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 97 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 98 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 99 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 100 | Front passenger door fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 102 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 103 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 104 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 105 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 106 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 107 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 108 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 109 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 110 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 111 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.03% |
| 112 | Spare wheel fault | 0.03% |
| 113 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.02% |
| 114 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 115 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 116 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 118 | Electronic braking system fault | 0.02% |
| 119 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 123 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 125 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 126 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 127 | Steering damper fault | 0.01% |
| 128 | Brake servo fault | 0.01% |
| 129 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 130 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 131 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 132 | Universal joint worn | 0.01% |
| 133 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 134 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 138 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 140 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 145 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 147 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 157 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 159 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 174 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 175 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 179 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 180 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 183 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 185 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 187 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 188 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 189 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 190 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 191 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Dodge MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Dodge, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Dodge problems?
Based on analysis of 186K Dodge MOT tests from DVSA data, Dodge has 62 identified common problems across 23 models. The Dodge Nitro has the most recorded problems. Suspension issues are the most common category.
Which Dodge model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Dodge Nitro has the highest count with 33 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Dodge models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Dodge?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Dodge owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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