Dodge Slammed For Instagram Post Promoting Street Takeovers

Dodge just learned the hard way that some “edgy” social media ideas aren’t worth the likes. Over the weekend, the automaker found itself at the center of controversy after posting a now-deleted Instagram slide that appeared to glorify illegal street takeovers.

The post was part of a light-hearted “Marriage is scary” series, which poked fun at common car enthusiast fears in relationships. Most of the slides were innocent and funny, like “Marriage is scary, because what if they don’t get along with the squad?” showing a Durango SRT HELLCAT, Hornet R/T PHEV, and Charger Daytona Scat Pack, or “because what if you love them more than you love your Hellcat?”—a nod to the brand’s iconic performance cars.

But the final slide went too far. It read, “Marriage is scary, because what if they don’t like street takeovers?” and featured a F8 Green-colored Challenger SRT HELLCAT surrounded by tire smoke.

For Mopar fans and the broader car community, that crossed a line. Street takeovers are widely hated among enthusiasts for giving car culture a bad name. These events involve shutting down public intersections or roads for illegal stunts like burnouts and donuts. They’re dangerous, often involve stolen cars, and have led to accidents, injuries, and arrests.

After screenshots began circulating online and media outlets like The Autopian reported the backlash, Dodge removed the post. The incident serves as a reminder that even playful marketing can backfire when it brushes up against illegal or unsafe behavior. For Mopar fans who take pride in legitimate car culture, the move felt tone-deaf and disappointing.