A check engine light on a 2018 Dodge Charger follows the same short list as the rest of the LD lineup, but the 2018 model year has a few signatures worth knowing: the 3.6L Pentastar’s two-stage oil pump can set P06DD, the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI lean on misfires from MDS lifters, and every 2018 Charger runs the ZF 8-speed automatic and standard stop/start. The everyday triggers are still a loose gas cap, the P0128 thermostat, and catalyst codes. This guide covers what the 2018 throws by engine, how to read the codes, repair costs, and when it’s safe to keep driving. For the full model history across every year, see our Dodge Charger check engine light guide.
Steady vs. Flashing on the 2018 Charger
- Steady light, runs normally: usually an emissions fault — EVAP, catalyst, or slow warm-up. Read it within a few days.
- Steady light with symptoms (rough idle, hesitation, hard shifts): the fault is active. On a HEMI, a rough idle with a single-cylinder misfire can be the start of an MDS lifter failure.
- Light comes and goes: intermittent — a loose gas cap, an aging coil, or a low/aging oil condition on the Pentastar.
A flashing check engine light is an active misfire dumping raw fuel into the exhaust, where it superheats and destroys the catalytic converter in minutes — and on a HEMI a flashing light can also mean a collapsed MDS lifter taking out the camshaft. Pull over and shut down as soon as it’s safe. Start with the P0300 and P0301–P0308 misfire guides, cheapest cause first.
Reading Codes on a 2018 Charger
The 2018 Charger is a push-button-start car and, like most later LD models, it generally won’t display codes on the odometer with the old key dance — so a basic OBD2 scanner is the practical way to read it. Plug in, pull the codes, and look each one up below before buying parts. (The key-dance method that still works on older Dodges is covered in our free code-reading guide.)
The Codes a 2018 Charger Actually Throws
| Code | What it means | Usual 2018 cause |
|---|---|---|
| P06DD | Engine oil pressure control — performance | 3.6L Pentastar two-stage oil pump / solenoid; wrong or clogged oil filter — fresh oil and a quality filter first |
| P0300, P0301–P0308 | Random / cylinder-specific misfire | Plugs or coils; a collapsed MDS lifter on the 5.7L/6.4L HEMI |
| P0420 / P0430 | Catalyst efficiency below threshold | Aging converter or lazy O2 sensor; bank 1 / bank 2 |
| P0456 | Very small EVAP leak | Hardened gas cap gasket, cracked vapor line, sticking purge valve |
| P0128 | Coolant slow to reach operating temp | Stuck-open thermostat |
| P0700 | Transmission module stored a fault | ZF 8-speed (8HP) — solenoids, sensors, low or wrong fluid; read the TCM sub-code |
| U0100 | Lost communication with the PCM | Weak battery, corroded grounds, wiring |
Each linked guide runs the diagnosis cheapest-cause-first. For the broader picture, our master check engine light guide ties the whole library together.
2018 Charger Signatures by Engine
- 3.6L Pentastar (SXT / GT) — P06DD & oil: the two-stage oil pump system is sensitive to oil condition and the right filter. A P06DD often clears with a correct oil-and-filter service before any solenoid is condemned — start there. See the P06DD guide.
- 5.7L / 6.4L HEMI — MDS lifters: the Multi-Displacement System’s deactivation lifters are the headline misfire cause; a single-cylinder misfire with a top-end tick that won’t follow a coil swap means stop and diagnose before it eats the cam. The plugs & coils guide covers the coil-swap test.
- Catalyst codes: P0420/P0430 follow ignored misfires; rule out the misfire and a lazy sensor before condemning a converter with the catalytic converter guide.
- Stop/Start quirks: the 2018’s auto stop/start depends on battery health; a weak primary or auxiliary battery can disable the feature and, in some cases, contribute to U0100-type communication or low-voltage complaints. Test the batteries before chasing modules.
What the Common 2018 Repairs Cost
DIY note: gas cap, an oil-and-filter service, and plugs/coils are driveway jobs. Catalytic converters and MDS cam work belong to a shop — and several of the big jobs start as cheaper faults left unfixed.
Is It Safe to Keep Driving?
A steady light with no symptoms is usually an emissions fault — fine to finish the trip, but read the code within a few days. Lean codes and small misfires quietly cook the converter; EVAP codes fail emissions inspections.
A flashing light (active misfire, possible HEMI lifter), a P06DD with an oil-pressure warning or knock (stop and check oil level/filter immediately), transmission limp mode, and a check engine light with an overheating gauge.
How to Reset the 2018 Charger Light
- Fix the cause first — a cleared code with an unfixed fault returns within a drive or two.
- Let it self-clear after the repair: the PCM turns the light off once the monitor passes, usually a few days of mixed driving.
- Or clear it with a scanner and complete a drive cycle to confirm it stays off.
- Avoid the battery-disconnect shortcut — it wipes fuel trims and shift adaptation and resets readiness monitors, so the car fails a plug-in emissions test until they complete again.
FAQ: 2018 Dodge Charger Check Engine Light
What does the P06DD code mean on a 2018 Dodge Charger?
P06DD is an engine oil pressure control performance code tied to the 3.6L Pentastar’s two-stage oil pump system. On the 2018 Charger it is frequently triggered by the wrong oil filter, a clogged filter, or oil that is low or out of spec, rather than a failed pump. Start with a correct oil-and-filter service using the specified oil; if the code returns, the oil pump control solenoid is the next suspect.
How do I read check engine codes on a 2018 Charger?
The 2018 Charger generally does not display codes on the odometer with the old key-dance trick, so the practical method is a basic OBD2 scanner plugged into the port under the dash. It reads the stored codes in seconds. Write each code down and look it up before buying parts, because a cheap fix and an expensive one can light the same lamp.
Why is my 2018 Charger check engine light flashing?
A flashing check engine light means an active misfire is sending unburned fuel into the exhaust, where it can destroy the catalytic converter within minutes. Reduce throttle, pull over, and stop driving as soon as it is safe. On the 5.7L or 6.4L HEMI, a flashing light with a single-cylinder misfire and a top-end tick can also mean a collapsed MDS lifter, which can damage the camshaft.
Can a weak battery cause check engine or stop/start problems on a 2018 Charger?
Yes. The 2018 Charger’s auto stop/start system depends on healthy primary and auxiliary batteries, and weak batteries or poor grounds can disable stop/start and contribute to low-voltage and communication complaints such as P0562 or U0100. Have both batteries and the charging system tested before replacing modules or sensors for these symptoms.
What is the most common check engine cause on a 2018 Charger?
On the 3.6L V6, a loose or worn gas cap (EVAP), the P0128 thermostat, and the P06DD oil-pressure-control code lead the list. On the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI, misfires from worn plugs and coils or an MDS lifter come first, followed by catalyst codes. Read the actual code before buying parts.
Got a code from a scanner? Jump to its guide above — every one runs cheapest-cause-first. For the full Charger picture across all years, see the model guide; and a proper scan tool pays for itself on the first repair.