Dodge Charger 3.6L Pentastar
is it a safe used buy?

The standard V6 on this Charger generation — lighter on fuel than the HEMI, built on the same Pentastar family covered in detail on the shared engine page.

GENERATION7th gen base (2011–2014)

ENGINE3.6L Pentastar

POWER292 hp

USED PRICE$9,500–16,000

How the engine fits this car

The standard V6 on this Charger generation — lighter on fuel than the HEMI, built on the same Pentastar family covered in detail on the shared engine page.

A sensible choice for buyers who want this generation's styling without the V8's running costs.

Dodge Charger-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

Noticeably better fuel economy than the HEMI V8 option
Later production years within this generation carry meaningfully lower Pentastar risk
Lower purchase price than equivalent HEMI-powered examples
Distinctive, muscular styling shared across the whole range

WHAT TO WATCH

Early production examples carry the Pentastar rocker arm risk detailed on the engine page
Noticeably less performance than the HEMI R/T
Resale value trails the more desirable V8 version
Interior material quality, while decent for the price, trails some rivals

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band

Typical price

What to expect

Under 70,000 mi

$13,500–16,000

Later production preferred

70,000–120,000 mi

$11,000–13,500

Sweet spot, verify production date

120,000+ mi

$9,500–11,000

Inspect for rocker arm tapping

The engine itself

This Charger shares its 3.6L Pentastar with the rest of the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep lineup. Full detail lives on the dedicated engine page.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNChrysler 3.6L Pentastar V6 — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Check the exact production date, not just the model year.

Listen for a tapping noise at idle, especially from a cold start.

Ask for a complete service history.