Well, this is an issue you probably would never expect a muscle car to be recalled for…
If there is a single area of complaint that could be lobbed at the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona by muscle car fans, it’s the sound. This is a two-parter, actually. It’s both the Daytona’s inherent lack of sound—electric motors and all—and the interesting faux noises blaring from the “Fratzonic exhaust” that drivers can activate at the press of a button that surely get fanatics lamenting the Charger’s lack of a V-8 engine twisted in knots. But there’s actually a third noise-related issue that’s cropped up with the Charger Daytona, and one that isn’t subjective but is from an unlikely source: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That’s right, the 2024–2025 Charger Daytona’s been recalled over its noise.
You see, while some folks gravitate toward EVs because of their silent operation, there is a safety requirement that EVs make at least some noise—at least externally. It’s a key aspect to maintaining pedestrian safety—after all while these electrified vehicles do make some noise while driving, the overall sound they make (air moving around, tire noise) is easily drowned out by other ambient noises at low speeds. This, of course, could make them hard to detect by the blind or partially sighted people, or even distracted pedestrians expecting to hear a running engine as a vehicle approaches.
According to NHTSA’s recall, 2024 to 2025 Dodge Charger Daytonas might not make this required noise, as its required noise maker might have been installed but not programmed correctly, producing no sound other than what the motor produces naturally.
Fortunately, the fix is easy and only requires that any Charger Daytona that doesn’t make its required noise have its exterior amplifier sound system updated with the proper software. The recall process might take up to “2.2 hours” according to the Technical Service Bulletin related to the recall.
Fortunately, Stellantis is telling dealers to “proactively minimize customer inconvenience” during the repair and offer alternate transportation. This could range from a dealer shuttle service to possibly a loaner car while your Charger EV requires the service. Otherwise, if the system produces sound, the inspection only takes a few minutes, and you should be able to drive away without any further issues, while those around you can now more clearly hear the Charger Daytona, even without its Fratzonic system operating.
