Dodge Charger EV Recalled for Not Making Noise

You read that right! An official recall is underway for over 8,000 Dodge Charger EV models because they don’t make legally required noises.

Love it or hate it, the Dodge Charger EV is a thing. It’s a thing that isn’t selling so hot and is getting hilariously cheap to lease, granted. It is, however, a thing. Of course, fans of both classic and modern muscle often cite one of the pitfalls of an EV being its lack of “soul.” In most cases, you can boil that “soul” down to emitting a cool noise courtesy of an engine. Although Dodge attempted to convey a bit of that feel with the cheesy “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust,” some models fail to make enough noise, even for an electric vehicle, which, in this case, is actually illegal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlines the details of the recall. According to the details, an incomplete software install at the factory has left nearly 8,400 Charger EV models without the ability to emit a noise at low speeds. Yes, the soft aural hum you hear coming from EVs in parking lots is a legal requirement. It’s there so pedestrians know the car, which is largely otherwise silent, is moving.

A Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Violation

Federal regulations require both hybrid and full battery electric vehicles to make a sound at low speeds. They say that it’s for backover and collision avoidance. That way, if a driver isn’t paying attention and accidentally lines up to mow granny over in the Whole Foods parking lot, she can hear her impending doom and get out of the way, evidently.

Here’s the summary from NHTSA’s details:
“Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Dodge Charger vehicles. The amplifier may be missing software, which can prevent the amplifier from emitting exterior sound, including pedestrian warnings. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, “Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid Electric Vehicles.”

Owners of Dodge Charger EVs should check to see if their vehicle is part of the recall by inputting their VIN on the NHTSA recall website. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 26th, 2025. Dodge dealers will inspect the vehicle’s speaker and amplifier systems to ensure they are functioning properly and perform necessary updates and repairs free of charge. That way, your nice quiet car can go back to being slightly less quiet.

Photos: Dodge

Braden Carlson

Braden Carlson is an automotive enthusiast from Boise, Idaho. At 19 he quit his day job to pursue a career in automotive journalism, launching his Youtube channel in his own name. Today you can still find him producing DIY video content, reviews and writing for an amassment of automotive websites. His work is most frequently found on Rennlist, The Mustang Source and Corvette Forum. When not writing or driving, he's likely to be found covered in grease and oil undoubtedly from one of his gratuitous collection of questionable project cars.