Two problems related to timing tensioner have been reported for the 2009 Dodge Challenger. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2009 Dodge Challenger based on all problems reported for the 2009 Challenger.
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. While driving at 65 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled and was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the timing chain tensioner fractured, which caused the connecting rod and piston to exit the oil pan and the side of the engine block. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be repaired; however, the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was included under fca recall p01 (engine, timing chain and chain guide). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
I was driving normal at about 70mph and was exiting highway and the car just died. I pulled over and tried to crank it and nothing. Called a wrecker and they took me to the parts house to get a code checked and it said camshaft position sensor. I bought one and took it home and replaced it and still nothing. You could see that the timing chain had broke through the hole where the sensor went. Over a few weeks I had to replace the timing chain, plastic guide and tensioner (they gave me metal parts as a replacement), hsd to remove the heads and replace all valves because they were bent, had to find and replace broken a valve guide. This was caused from what I was told by the plastic parts wearing out and Chrysler is quietly replacing them as people bring them in, I fixed my own and kept receipts and all broken parts. They are also saying it is a harmonic issue with the mds either way I called and made a claim with Chrysler and they tried to deny it was common. I have found that it is way more common than are saying and they just don't want to have a recall. I was also yelled at by a manager at freedom Dodge when I mentioned this in front of other customers, he said "Dodge never does a recall unless its a safety issue!" I said," if I'm going 70mph on the highway and the motor dieing wasn't a safety issue I didn't know what was. " he went to the back and was mad and then another employee that was getting my parts whispered to me it more common than they want to admit. I feel like I got ripped off and they are advertising a product that doesn't last, the car only had 70k and hasn't been driven very hard. I spent a little over $1000 to fix this and that was cheap, Dodge wanted $7000 to do it and I am not a mechanic, thank goodness for good friend and the internet.