Overview: My 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, with the 5.7L hemi engine and manual 6-speed transmission, has an excessive delay between pressing the throttle and achieving engine response. This occurs only in gears 4-6, and is the result of a powertrain control module (PCM) update. Background: This vehicle has an electronic throttle ("drive by wire") system, where throttle response is controlled by the PCM and not via a throttle cable. History: On October 14, 2011, I brought my vehicle to my local Dodge/Chrysler dealership due to a rough engine idle. They informed me that a PCM update was available, based on technical service bulletin (tsb) 18-014-10. This update changed the engine calibration id from 05187899ae to 05187899ag. Ever since this update was performed, the vehicle has a significant (and unsafe) throttle delay while in gears 4-6. basically, when the throttle is depressed, it takes about 2 seconds for the engine to respond. This has resulted in several near-collisions, during times where acceleration is expected to avoid an unsafe road condition but the vehicle fails to respond in a timely manner. To demonstrate the problem, you could actually rapidly pulse the throttle repeatedly without having any engine response at all. This issue affects all owners of 2009-2010 Dodge Challenger R/ts with the 05187899ag calibration id. As of this date, no PCM update has been released to correct this unsafe condition.

- Seaside, CA, USA

Took my car into dealership for warranty work on trim and window switch. Car was fine. Had owned it for 2.5 years. Dealer performed flash on PCM per chrylsers information. When I left the dealer, I noteced a 1.5 second delay when gas pedel is depressed. Found out when trying to pass slower traffic. Human nature causes you to press if more. Then all of the sudden, the power comes on hard. Took it back, and had chryler tech test drive with service mgr. They saw the problem with the scan tool hooked up. Was told that there was a 1.4 second delay. Tech said he made changes in program and took it to.7 seconds. I do not see a differance in performance. Called contact at Chrysler. And was told that it falls within factory standards. There is no way this is right. Car was fine untill they flashed it. I am unable to get any paperwork from Chrysler stating the problem is normal. This is very dangerous. At 55 or 70mph 1.4 seconds can be a lifetime. If a time delay is normal for the fly by wire systems, then I am glad I am not a Pilot of a fighter aircraft or new comercal air liner.

- Mansfield , GA, USA

Vehicle has a severe throttle lad when in 4 to 6 gear when letting off pedal then returning back into throttle.

- Wahiawa, HI, USA

Car periodically stalls when coming to a stop. Dealer does not know the cause- may be computer-related. Friends having the same Dodge vehicle have had their car stall in heavy high speed traffic. This could cause a serious or fatal crash.

- Runnemede, NJ, USA

The dealership flashed the PCM as detailed in service bulletin 18-021-09 rev. A. immediately after that I noticed an intermittent throttle lag. When pressing the gas pedal, the car will wait 1/2 to 3/4 second, then the engine will respond and the car will go. Merging into highway traffic is now dangerous as the car will not always respond to the pedal input. When it finally does respond the car will surge forward (since I'm pushing down more on the pedal trying to get the car to move). This is dangerous as the rear tires can lose traction on wet roads. The dealership hooked up a portable data logger and road tested the vehicle. They were able to verify the complaint. They sent the results to Chrysler's engineers. Those engineers reviewed the data and said, "the vehicle is operating as designed, delay is normal, we see nothing wrong." I had the car for 22 months prior to this update and never had the problem before.

- West Islip, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign at 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled and all the lights on the instrument panel flashed. The contact shifted into park and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The failure continued and the vehicle was taken to another authorized dealer. The dealer was unable to locate the failure but noticed that there was a kill switch. The vehicle was taken to a third dealer who removed the anti theft device installed by another dealer. The failure continued and the vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 31,706 and the current mileage was approximately 33,000.

- Loving, NM, USA

2009 Dodge Challenger, complete engine shutoff after decelerating. Very dangerous. Breaks and steering shut off. Has happened 4 times to me. There are dozens of reports of this located here: www.challengertalk.com/forums/F36/engine-stalling-35997/.

- Scranton, PA, USA

Car just stalls as if turned key off at erratic times.

- Champaign , IL, USA