Dodge recalls 2024–2025 Charger Daytona EVs over missing pedestrian warning sound software, violating federal safety standards.
In a twist of irony, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has flagged certain Charger Daytona models for noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141, which mandates minimum sound requirements for electric and hybrid vehicles to alert pedestrians of their presence.
At issue is not Dodge’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust System—a high-decibel, sound-simulating setup capable of blasting out a staggering 126 decibels—but rather the pedestrian alert system. This EV-specific safety feature typically emits a low-speed, sci-fi-like sound (think “whoo-whirl”) from front-mounted speakers to ensure that approaching vehicles are heard by those nearby, especially at speeds below 19 mph.
According to NHTSA Campaign 25V389000, affected vehicles may be missing crucial software in the amplifier responsible for generating the pedestrian warning sound. Without it, the vehicles could operate silently at low speeds, posing a hazard to pedestrians who rely on audio cues to detect nearby traffic.
Dodge plans to remedy the issue by instructing its dealers to inspect and, if necessary, update the amplifier software at no cost to owners. Notification letters to impacted owners are expected to be mailed in the coming weeks.
While the recall may sound paradoxical given Dodge’s marketing of the Daytona EV as a visceral, loud alternative in a quiet EV market, the recall strictly pertains to safety compliance—not the headline-grabbing Fratzonic exhaust. That system remains intact and unapologetically aggressive.
Until repairs are completed, Dodge enthusiasts might want to keep their cars in Track Mode, just to be sure they’re heard—by pedestrians, pets, and possibly even distant counties.
