Dodge Charger Shifter Problems— Here’s What You Need to Check

Nothing is worse than driving a Dodge Charger with shifters you cannot control. Imagine needing to switch gears, but the shifter is either stuck or loose. It is not much of a problem if you are in park mode, but if you are in the middle of driving and have lost control of your shifter, it could be dangerous to you and your moving car.

So even for being one of Dodge's longest-existing cars, the shifter is no exception to defects and malfunctions. Even if the car has been re-engineered and has changed its face many times, it can still suffer unexpected problems, especially when shifting gears.

So if you are one of the current owners or in the market for this vehicle, be ready for future issues like the shifters. In this article, we summed up all the shifter problems of Dodge Chargers and how to diagnose them.

Dodge Charger has been known for having faulty shifters

In 2004, Dodge recalled Charger units 2004 due to defective shifters.

In 2008, another recall was extended to 2006 to 2008 models because of faulty shifters. The same issue resulted in another recall for 2011 to 2014 models. And up to 2022, Dodge Chargers are still recalling about 5,834 Chargers due to shifter assembly issues.

The engineering of the Charger's gear shifter consists of pins and springs that hold it in position. But due to constant use, these components suffer wear and lead to failure.

Often, owners find the shifters stuck in the park and unable to change gears. The issue is just one of the many shifter problems of Dodge.  And there is more.

Problems with Dodge Charger Shifter

1) Stuck in the park position

Having the shifter stuck in the park position or unable to move the knob to switch gears is the most common occurrence in Dodge Chargers. 

In this case, the shifter will not move from one gear to another. In some cases, it loses connection to the Transmission Control Module or TCM.

The shifter composes different components and safety mechanisms working together to ensure smooth transmission. When one of these components fails, expect trouble in shifting gears.

One of the possible causes your shifter won't move out of the park position is a malfunctioning shift interlock solenoid. This safety mechanism keeps the vehicle out of park mode unless you press the pedal down. A faulty shift interlock solenoid will not communicate with the brake pedal.

Also, if you have a damaged ignition switch, your shift interlock solenoid will not receive signals from the switching, making it impossible to get out of park mode.

Finally, if you have a broken shift cable, you cannot move the shifter out of the park position. This cable is the cable that links the transmission to the shifter handle.

The only way to fix this issue is to find the faulty component to replace.

2) Hard Shifting

Also called a jerking transmission, hard shifting happens when your Charger has difficulty shifting gears, acceleration issues, and trouble transitioning smoothly. This problem arises for several reasons. Sometimes, the problem is not in the shifter itself.

First, you could have low transmission fluid levels. Transmission requires lubrication. And even if you have adequate transmission fluid levels, it can still result in hard shifting when the fluid is contaminated. In this case, you can flush out the contaminated fluid and replace it with fresh ones.

Also, hard shifting could be a result of faulty components in the transmission system. These components can include worn-out gaskets that result in transmission fluid leakage. Other components that are prone to damage are sensors. Even if your shifter is working, but the transmission sensor is faulty, it will send the wrong information to the computer. Find out which component is defective to replace it.

If your Dodge Charger is a bit old, it may have trouble shifting due to vacuum issues. The vacuum modulator valve tells the transmission when to shift gears. But if this part has detached, bent, or blocked, it may affect the transmission when shifting gears.

3) Slipping Gears

A slipping gear happens when your transmission has trouble staying in gear, or slips in and out of gear. During this time, your vehicle seems sluggish. It may shift to neutral all of a sudden.

Slipping gears still happen even if your shifter is good. If your vehicle has a damaged clutch, low fluid levels, worn-out synchronizers, or failing clutch release.

If you have worn-out shifter bushings that connect to the shifter, it may have a weakened or sloppy fit, resulting in gears slipping when moved.

Also, your clutch should align correctly with the transmission. Also, when transmission gears have worn out, the transmission may slip, and you still think the problem is in your shifter.

If you think your gears are slipping, here's what you should do. Listen to strange noises. Check the clutch. Check the transmission fluid level. Find leaks. Test the gears.

What are the Risks of Having a Faulty Shifter System?

Having a faulty shifter system is not only unsafe. It poses risks not only to the driver and the Charger itself but to other cars too.

• Won't shift to desired gear when needed
• May not accelerate when needed or rev without any movement
• Difficulty shifting from one gear to another
• Transmission grinding and slipping
• Damage to the transmission system and its components
• Costly repairs
• Loose control
• Unsafe driving
• Potential damage to other cars and pedestrians nearby

How to Diagnose Dodge Charger Shifting Problems?

You can fix most problems in your shifting system with replacement. Find the broken or failing component to replace them.

If you feel your shifting system has issues, we've got a list of what you need to check.

However, not all problems are in the shifter itself. Sometimes, prying the housing off will not always help you find which component has issues. When you cannot locate the problem, you will need the help of an expert.

1) Inspect the shifter linkage and cables

Open your Charger hood and locate the shifter linkage and cables. You'd likely find them on the driver's side of the engine bay. Look for signs of fraying, breaking, or losing connections. If you think they are in good shape, check their operation. They must move without binding or sticking when you move in different gears. Replace for any signs of damage, corrosion, or breakage.

2) Inspect the shift interlock solenoid or wiring

The shift interlock solenoid must be behind the shifter, and the wiring goes down to the transmission. Check for signs of fraying, breaking, or losing connections.

You want to see its ends not corroded and must be connected accurately.

Test resistance with the engine by using a multimeter. It should read between 0.3 and 0.6 ohms. Any measurement out of this range means you need to replace the solenoid. 

Next, test its voltage. It should go in between 8 and 14 volts. Any measurement out of this range would need replacement.

3) Check the shifter cable and bushings

You can find the shifter cable and bushing on the driver's side near its firewall.

Unhook the shifter cable and check for damages. If you find kinks and bends or any signs of wear and tear, replace them.

For the bushings, look for tears or cracks.

4) Check the shifter selector

The shifter selector is above the firewall near the transmission. Make a visual inspection for cracks, broken components, or loose components. Move the selector to every gear position and see if it works smoothly and locks into each gear position. Inspect the linkage between the shifter selector and transmission for any damages or signs of wear and tear.

5) Inspect the transmission fluid

Using a dipstick, check the transmission fluid levels. Note if it goes in between Full and Add. Refill if it is below required. Make sure you park level on the ground.

6) Check the shifter itself

Park on level ground and engage the parking brake.

Inspect the entire assembly from the hood. Look at the entire assembly and check for any signs of damage. Check the shifter cable, linkage, and lever. Then test the shifter if it works in every gear position smoothly.

When to Replace Your Shifter?

Your shifter doesn't have any mileage or timeframe required for replacement. But with continuous usage, its components are prone to break or get loose. But being in good condition constantly will last the shifter to the vehicle's lifetime.

You may find the signs below when you need to replace your shifter components:

• Resistance when moving the shifter
• Difficulty in finding the right spot when shifting gears, reversing, or driving
• The ignition cylinder seems loose.
• The shifter seems loose completely.
• Clunking and rattling noise

Get an expert to check the transmission

The entire diagnosing process can be overwhelming or intimidating if you're uncomfortable going under the hood. The best thing you can do is go to your trusted technician or service shop to help you diagnose your shifter and transmission problems easily. Since they have the tools needed, they can diagnose what is happening to your shifter system accurately.

Final Thoughts

When you notice anything unusual with your shifter, do not ignore it. All components work together from the inside, and having one damaged will affect the other's function. If you are familiar with wirings and comfortable assembling and disassembling components, locate which parts have broken or damaged.

Remember that driving with a faulty shifter is unsafe and may be risky not only for your Dodge Charger but for other drivers, cars, and pedestrians too.