The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, celebrated as the most powerful muscle car ever built, has been issued a customer satisfaction notification by the automaker. Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) has quietly announced that all 3,311 units of the Demon 170 are affected by a spark plug issue that has caused engine misfires and power loss. This comes after over a year of complaints from owners who noticed their cars weren’t delivering the promised performance.
YouTuber Butter Da Insider broke the news last month, sharing details of an internal Stellantis document outlining the recall. According to Butter, dealerships are receiving spark plug replacement kits to address the issue. The recall impacts every Demon 170 on the road, in showrooms, or in inventory. Dealers have been instructed to inspect and repair all vehicles before delivery or during routine service visits.
The root of the problem lies in the Demon 170’s supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI® C170 V8 engine, which produces a staggering 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque on E85 fuel. Owners reported that engine misfires were robbing their cars of power, triggering the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on their dashboards. Stellantis confirmed that all 16 spark plugs (two per cylinder) need to be replaced to resolve the issue fully.
Affected owners will be contacted via email to schedule free repairs at authorized dealerships. Additionally, those who previously paid for spark plug replacements at a dealership may be eligible for reimbursement. Stellantis emphasized that some vehicles may already be exempt from this recall campaign if they’ve been inspected and cleared.
The Demon 170’s performance numbers—0-60 mph in just 1.66 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 8.91 seconds—made it a drag-strip legend upon release in 2023. However, these figures were unattainable for owners experiencing power loss due to faulty spark plugs. Despite its dominance, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) banned the Demon from competition unless equipped with additional safety measures like a roll cage and parachute.
