DodgeChallenger1980Overview/dodge/challenger/1980/base/

1980 Dodge Challenger

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1980 Challenger.

The 1980 Dodge Challenger is situated within a documented reliability history covering the years 2008 through 2023. Annual complaint data for this model line peaked at 298 reports in 2010, while the series reached its lowest complaint volume with just 9 reports filed in 2022. This positions the 1980 model year within a trajectory that saw highest complaint activity early in the tracked period and declining reports toward the end of the observation window.

Model year202320222021202020172008198319821980

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Challenger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.8–11.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 1970 R/T SE 440-6 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1981Coupe 2.6L I-411.70 sec18.20 sec105 hpRWD
1970R/T SE 440-6 Coupe 7.2L V85.80 sec14.00 sec390 hpRWD
1970T/A Coupe 5.6L V87.10 sec15.40 sec290 hpRWD

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E064000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 27/08/2007

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

80V010000Interior LightingReported 15/02/1980

THE ASHTRAY BULB SOCKET IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH MATERIALS THAT DO NOT POSSESS THE REQUIRED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE QUALITIES. WHEN THE ASHTRAY BULB IS LIT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING BULB SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT WITH COMPONENTS THAT HAVE THE PROPER ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE QUALITIES, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Challenger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1980 Challenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.