Problems with the New Electric Dodge Charger Daytona
Electric muscle cars were supposed to be a new stage in automobile manufacturing, but reality turned out to be less exciting. Dodge may not want to admit it, but the Charger Daytona did not start the era of electric vehicles as the brand had hoped.
In the first quarter of the year, only 2,115 units were sold in the USA and Canada, forcing Dodge to discontinue production of the base R/T model. And for at least one buyer, the car turned out to be full of problems.
The Story of Nicholas Sharrett
This particular Charger R/T Daytona, which looks great in the Peel Out Orange color, is leased by a man named Nicholas Sharrett. He received it in May from the Wetzel Dodge dealer in Richmond, Indiana, and claims that the car constantly has problems. In fact, he now describes the car as “practically useless”.
A Trunk That Won’t Open
Sharrett’s biggest disappointment is related to the trunk. It does not open and has not worked since the day he received the car. Interestingly, Dodge did not add a trunk opening button to the key, and there is also no button or latch inside the cabin.
Instead, the only way to open it is to press a tiny rubber button on the rear taillight. This button does not work, so the only way to load things into the trunk is to open the door, fold down the rear seats, and throw items in from the back.
Unevenly Installed Doors
The problems don’t end with the trunk. Sharrett says that the driver’s door is so unevenly installed that it rubs against the body in three different places, even wearing away the paint in one spot. The Wetzel Dodge dealer, located more than 100 miles from his home, tried to fix the alignment but reported that Stellantis refused to repaint the exposed metal.
Additionally, there is a malfunction with the passenger door, which only works about half the time. Therefore, if Sharrett needs to open the passenger doors, he must do it from inside the Daytona. He also says he receives error messages in the Uconnect infotainment system almost every time he starts the car.
Problem with the Driver’s Seat
The driver’s seat has a particularly frustrating flaw. When someone from the back seat pulls the strap to move it forward, the seat moves as expected. But when it reaches the end of its trajectory, it does not stay in place and immediately starts moving back on its own. This malfunction once locked Sharrett’s seven-year-old daughter when she was trying to get out of the back seat.
Sharrett’s experience may be just one case, but it leaves room for a broader discussion. If you own a Charger Daytona, have you encountered similar problems, or has your car met expectations? Share your experience in the comments.
This situation with the Dodge Charger Daytona points to broader problems faced by electric vehicle manufacturers, especially when it comes to combining traditional design with new technologies. Despite claims of innovation, practical aspects such as build quality and functionality remain critically important for customer satisfaction. Similar stories can affect consumer trust in electric versions of classic models, which could slow down the transition to greener transportation. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of reliable service and support from manufacturers, especially in the first years after a new model’s release.