Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 Charger.
The 1978 Dodge Charger is a model whose complaint history from 2001 to 2024 shows a peak of 1,293 complaints in 2006 and a low of just 1 in 2024, placing this early model year at the beginning of a lineage that experienced a wide range of reported issues over time. This data indicates that the 1978 Charger is part of a model line that, in later years, saw a dramatic reduction in complaints, suggesting a long-term trend toward improved reliability.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 215.4 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 115 in |
| Curb weight | 4032 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Charger of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | SE Coupe 7.2L V8 | 6.50 sec | 14.80 sec | 370 hp | RWD |
| 1969 | Daytona Hemi Coupe 7.0L V8 | 5.50 sec | 13.90 sec | 425 hp | RWD |
| 1968 | R/T Hemi Coupe 7.0L V8 | 4.80 sec | 13.50 sec | 425 hp | RWD |
| 1968 | R/T 440 Coupe 7.2L V8 | 6.50 sec | 14.90 sec | 375 hp | RWD |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE COLUMNS MAY CONTAIN STEERING SHAFTS IN WHICH THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING ROLL PIN RETAINING NOTCH WAS MACHINED TOO DEEP. THIS MAY CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE REST OF THE STEERING… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A COTTER PIN THROUGH THE ROLL PIN TO ENSURE RETENTION, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.