For owners of one of these rare muscle cars, understanding what the notice means and checking the vehicle’s VIN should be a priority.
What Is the Demon 170 Customer Service Notice?
First, there is an important distinction to make.
The current campaign is being handled as a Customer Service Notice rather than a formal safety recall. Dodge was able to identify the specific vehicles that received components from the affected supplier batch, limiting the campaign to those particular vehicles.
Reports indicate that 345 Demon 170s are included in the notice out of approximately 3,300 vehicles produced. That means the notice applies to a specific group of vehicles rather than every 2023 Demon 170.
The affected vehicles are identified by VIN, so owners should check their individual vehicle rather than assuming that all Demon 170 models are affected.
What Is the Crankshaft Damper?
The crankshaft damper is an important component inside the engine’s rotating assembly.
In simple terms, the damper helps control and absorb vibrations produced as the crankshaft rotates. Mopar describes its crankshaft damper as a component designed to absorb and reduce vibrations from the engine’s rotating assembly, helping protect internal engine components from excessive wear. Mopar
On a vehicle as powerful as the Demon 170, the engine operates under significant loads, particularly during high-performance and drag-strip driving.
What Is the Potential Problem?
According to reporting on Dodge’s Customer Service Notice, the affected vehicles received a crankshaft damper and retaining bolt from a particular supplier batch.
Dodge’s investigation reportedly began after failures were identified in the field. Engineers were then able to trace the issue to the specific components and identify the vehicles that received them.
If the affected hardware loosens, the resulting movement can potentially cause damage around the engine’s timing-cover area.
In a worst-case scenario, continued operation could lead to significant engine damage.
What Symptoms Should Owners Look For?
One potential warning sign associated with the issue is an unusual ticking or rattling noise from the front of the engine.
However, owners should not rely on symptoms alone to determine whether their Demon 170 is affected.
The Customer Service Notice is VIN-specific, meaning a vehicle can be included even if it appears to be operating normally.
If you own a 2023 Demon 170, checking the VIN is therefore more reliable than waiting for a noise or other symptom to appear.
How Can You Check If Your Demon 170 Is Affected?
Owners can check their vehicle through Mopar’s online VIN lookup system.
When checking, pay attention to the Customer Service Notice section rather than looking only for traditional safety recalls.
The VIN is the most important piece of information because the campaign applies only to the vehicles identified by Dodge.
Owners should:
- Locate the vehicle’s 17-digit VIN.
- Use Mopar’s official vehicle lookup.
- Check for any Customer Service Notices associated with the vehicle.
- If the vehicle is included, contact an authorized Dodge dealer.
- Follow the dealer’s instructions regarding transportation and repair.
Dodge Says Affected Vehicles Should Not Be Driven to the Dealer
One of the most important instructions associated with the notice is the recommendation not to drive an affected Demon 170 to the dealership.
Instead, reports indicate that Dodge is covering flatbed transportation for affected vehicles to an authorized dealer and back after the repair.
This is particularly important because continued operation of a vehicle with the suspected issue could potentially result in additional engine damage.
If your vehicle is confirmed to be part of the Customer Service Notice, contact an authorized Dodge dealer before driving it.
How Long Does the Repair Take?
The repair is designed to address the crankshaft damper retaining hardware.
According to reports regarding the Customer Service Notice, the repair can be performed from underneath the vehicle without removing the front fascia and is expected to take approximately two hours.
Actual service time can vary depending on dealership scheduling and the condition of the vehicle.
Owners should contact their authorized Dodge dealer to confirm appointment availability and the exact repair procedure for their vehicle.
Why Is This Important for Demon 170 Owners?
The Demon 170 is not an ordinary Challenger.
It was developed as a limited-production, high-performance vehicle and represents the final chapter of Dodge’s modern HEMI-powered Challenger era.
The car’s supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 produces up to 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque when running on E85, while the factory Demon 170 achieved an NHRA-certified 8.91-second quarter-mile at 151.17 mph.
With that level of performance, proper maintenance and attention to manufacturer service information are particularly important.
The current notice does not mean that every Demon 170 has an engine problem. It applies to a specific group of vehicles identified by Dodge.
What Should You Do If You Own a 2023 Demon 170?
If you are one of the owners of this limited-production Dodge, checking your VIN is a simple first step.
You do not need to assume that your vehicle is affected simply because it is a 2023 Demon 170. At the same time, if your VIN appears in the Customer Service Notice, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions rather than continuing to drive the vehicle normally.
Quick Checklist
Own a 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170?
- Check your VIN through Mopar.
- Look specifically for a Customer Service Notice.
- Don’t rely solely on whether the engine sounds normal.
- If your vehicle is affected, contact an authorized Dodge dealer.
- Follow Dodge’s instructions for vehicle transportation.
- Have the required repair completed before returning to normal driving.
The Bottom Line
The Demon 170 remains one of the most remarkable performance cars produced by Dodge, but a specific group of owners now needs to pay attention to an engine-related Customer Service Notice.
The good news for owners is that Dodge has identified the affected vehicles by VIN, meaning this is not a blanket campaign covering every Demon 170.
If you own one, the smartest first step is simple: check your VIN.
If your vehicle is included in the notice, contact an authorized Dodge dealer and follow the recommended transportation and repair instructions.
For a vehicle as rare and powerful as the Demon 170, taking care of a manufacturer service notice early can help protect the car’s engine and preserve the driving experience these cars were built to deliver.
Important Note
This article is intended for general informational purposes. Customer Service Notice information can change, and vehicle eligibility is VIN-specific. Demon 170 owners should confirm the current status of their vehicle directly through Mopar or an authorized Dodge dealer.
