DodgeChallenger20093.5L V6/dodge/challenger/2009/3-5l-v6/
LC platform

2009 Dodge Challenger — 3.5L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Challenger 3.5L V6.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

Introduced on the LC platform, the 2009 Dodge Challenger is a passenger car driven by a 3.5L V6 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 17 city and 25 highway mpg for a 20 combined rating. Routine maintenance for this powertrain requires 6 quarts of 10W-30 API oil with a filter to keep the V6 running. Accumulating 132 total owner complaints alongside 7 recalls primarily concerning the air bags, the 2009 model year sits as a moderately troubled entry in the Challenger's 2008-2023 reliability timeline. Although it falls well below the peak 298 complaints seen in 2010, this volume indicates that researchers should anticipate notable early-generation reliability concerns compared to the model's lowest point of just 9 complaints in 2022.

Model year20102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 04884899AC
Engine air filter05019002AA alt 05037615AA
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades68015148AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 04892312AC

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight4041 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

7.3–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2009 SE Coupe
250 hpHorsepower (as tested)
250 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009SE Coupe 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec250 hpRWD
2009SE Coupe 3.5L V67.80 sec16.00 sec250 hpRWD
2010SE Coupe 3.5L V67.50 sec15.80 sec250 hpRWD
2010SE Coupe 3.5L V67.50 sec15.70 sec250 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints, non_mvc
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts70 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 21 ft-lbs; Upper: 9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub157 AWD ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub157 AWD ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18, Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature189 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure45-105 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket44 ft-lbs / 23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs / 96 ft-lbs
OtherPOLICE
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Brake ApplicationWITH 17 inch BASE BRAKES
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0014 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Bolts 1 - 8 to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)45 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1 - 8 to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1 - 8 (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)65 ft. lbs
4Bolts 1 - 8 turn an additional 1/4 Turn. (Do not use a torque wrench for this step.)
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
1Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs
2Bolts 11-1515 ft. lbs
3Bolts 1-1040 ft. lbs
4Bolts 11-1515 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-1090 degrees
6Bolts 11-1525 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 18,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
At 48,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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.

The 2009 Challenger sits in the early, problematic phase of this generation. While the 2008 launch year had only 10 complaints and 3 recalls, the 2009 model saw a sharp jump to 132 complaints and 7 recalls—tying 2010 for the highest recall count in the series. Complaints then peaked at 298 in 2010 before gradually declining, and recalls dropped to 5–6 per year by 2013. The 2009’s top complaint areas are air bags (36), powertrain (16), and engine (12), with 8 crash and 4 fire reports. This year falls at the start of a steep complaint arc and carries the highest recall frequency of the generation. **Given the elevated recall count and early-model teething issues, the 2009 is a riskier buy than later years (2013 onward) which show fewer complaints and recalls.**

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
46
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
132
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 4 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 132 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags36
Power Train16
Engine12
Electrical System9
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Vehicle Speed Control6
Electrical System,Engine4
Service Brakes3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V824000EquipmentReported 21/12/2017

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler…

18V021000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2018

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 46 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
S1709000010 RevB2022-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingCustomer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power…
S1709000010RevB2022-03-06Unknown Or OtherCustomer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power…
S17090000102022-03-06Power TrainCustomer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power…

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Challenger 3.5L V6 take?

6 qt w/ filter of 10W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Challenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L V6 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.