Dodge›Charger›2010›3.5L/dodge/charger/2010/3-5l/

LX platform

2010 Dodge Charger — 3.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Charger 3.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2010 Dodge Charger 3.5L is an LX-platform passenger car powered by a 3.5L engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 17/25/20 mpg and requiring 6 quarts of 10W-30 API engine oil with a filter for routine servicing. Positioned within a model complaint history spanning 2001 to 2024—where 2006 peaked at 1,293 owner complaints and 2024 dropped to just 1—the 2010 model sits firmly on the downward slope with 238 total owner complaints. While this moderate volume suggests improved stability compared to the generation's early years, researchers should note that airbags remain the top complaint area alongside 6 recalls, indicating that specific safety-related scrutiny persists despite the overall decline in issues.

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 - EX. POLICE · 730 - EX. POLICE CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. 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 - EX. POLICE · 730 - EX. POLICE CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04884899AC
Engine air filter	05019002AA alt 05037615AA
Spark plug	SPLZFR5C11 alt SZFR5000AA
Battery	BBH8A001AA alt BBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades	68015148AA
Thermostat	52028898AJ alt 68237102AA
Cabin air filter	68535608AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200 in
Overall width	74.4 in
Overall height	58.3 in
Wheelbase	120.1 in
Curb weight	4101 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 25 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	104 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

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-90 · GL-5 · MS-9763 · 75W-140 · MS-8985 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 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. 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 Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 · MS-9763 · 75W-140 · MS-8985
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.7 Pints,
Engine Coolant	HOAT · MS9769
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	21 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	157 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	157 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	157 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.54-.66 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	9
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.56-1.63 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	94R - EX. POLICE
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 - EX. POLICE cca
Optional BCI Group Number	49 - POLICE

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	16-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12+-0.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Oil Pressure	45-105 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH 17 inch BASE BRAKES / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	23 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	85 ft-lbs / 70 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	23 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	96 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Brake Application	WITH 17 inch BASE BRAKES / WITH FN3

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	Bolts 1-10	25 ft. lbs
2	Bolts 11-15	15 ft. lbs
3	Bolts 1-10	40 ft. lbs
4	Bolts 11-15	15 ft. lbs
5	Bolts 1-10	90 degrees
6	Bolts 11-15	25 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	Bolts 1-8 to 48 N##m (35 ft. lbs.)	35 ft. lbs
2	Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)	55 ft. lbs
3	Bolts 1-8 to 75 N##m (55 ft. lbs.)	55 ft. lbs
4	Bolts 1-8 to +90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.	90 degrees
5	Bolts 9-11 to 28 N##m (250 in. lbs.)	250 in

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	All to 61 N##m (45 ft. lbs.)	45 ft. lbs
2	All to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)	65 ft. lbs
3	All (again) to 88 N##m (65 ft. lbs.)	65 ft. lbs
4	+ 90 degrees Turn Do not use a torque wrench for this step.	90 degrees

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.

Every 6,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 18,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 24,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 48,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 90,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)

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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 2010 Dodge Charger recorded 238 federal complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation, with air bags (53 complaints) and the electrical system (50 complaints) comprising the bulk of the issues, alongside 14 crash and 9 fire complaints. Within the generation's lifecycle, 2010 sits at the tail end of the initial design arc, showing a slight uptick in complaints from the 2009 low of 175, but remaining vastly improved over the problematic early years like 2006 (1,293 complaints) and 2008 (624 complaints). However, this relative stability precedes a significant spike in 2011, when a redesign caused complaints to nearly triple to 692 and recalls to jump to 11, highlighting that the 2010 model benefits from matured, end-of-cycle manufacturing rather than the teething issues of the next generation. While the data does not specify the root causes for the air bag and electrical faults, the lower volume of Technical Service Bulletins (33) compared to the 2011-2014 era suggests fewer systemic manufacturing anomalies. Consequently, the 2010 Charger represents a prudent used purchase within its generation, offering the most stabilized reliability profile before the troubled 2011 redesign, provided the specific air bag and electrical systems are thoroughly inspected.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

238

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 9 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’01 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09’10’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 238 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags53

Electrical System50

Engine24

Engine & Engine Cooling11

Power Train7

Electrical System,Engine6

Unknown Or Other6

Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon… 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…

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 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100226	2023-09-15	Electrical System	Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
9100196	2023-07-27	Equipment	Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily…
S2209000004	2022-04-02	Engine And Engine Cooling	If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36…
9004509	2022-03-30	Power Train	Oil Filter If a Mopar Oil Filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds…

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 Charger. 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.

Group 94R battery Vehicles taking 6 qt w/ filter LX-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04884899AC Engine air filter 05019002AA Spark plug SPLZFR5C11 Battery BBH8A001AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Charger 3.5L take?

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

Does the 2010 Charger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.5L get?

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