Car Model History

Fifth generation · L-body (FWD subcompact) · 1982–1987

1982Dodge Charger

A completely different car: a front-wheel-drive subcompact three-door hatchback on the Omni-based L-body. The Shelby Charger (1983–1987) was its performance halo. Shares the Charger name only — not the muscle-era lineage.

Fifth generation · L-body (FWD subcompact)

1982 Dodge Shelby Charger prototype — L-body front-wheel-drive hatchback, front three-quarter view

Photo: “1982 Dodge Shelby Charger prototype, 2018 Greenwich Concours” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.

The 1982 model year

Overview

The Charger name returned for 1982 on the front-wheel-drive L-body, but only as the Charger 2.2 performance model within the Dodge 024 range. Its Chrysler-built 2.2-liter overhead-cam four drove the front wheels through a standard close-ratio four-speed manual; a three-speed automatic was optional. The package added a simulated hood scoop, fender exhausters, rear spoiler, sport suspension, performance exhaust, 14-inch wheels, and Charger 2.2 graphics.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.2-liter (135 cu in) Chrysler SOHC inline-four
Transmissions
4-speed manual, 3.13:1 overall top-gear ratio (standard), 3-speed automatic, 2.78:1 overall top-gear ratio (optional)
Body styles
3-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Dimensions
Length 174.0 in · Wheelbase 96.6 in · Width 66.7 in · Height 50.8 in · Estimated curb weight 2,331 lb · Cargo capacity 10.7 cu ft with rear seat raised; 33.9 cu ft folded · Fuel tank 13 U.S. gallons

Year over year

What changed

  • The Charger name returned after the B-body's 1978 exit, now attached to the 024's 2.2-liter performance model.
  • The architecture changed completely to a transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive L-body hatchback.
  • The Charger 2.2 used the 2.2-liter engine and close-ratio four-speed as standard; the brochure marks the 024's 1.7-liter engine unavailable.
  • Sport suspension, performance exhaust, rear spoiler, simulated hood scoop, and model-specific graphics distinguished it from 024 Miser and Custom.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The brochure's engine/transaxle matrix gives Charger 2.2 a single engine, standard four-speed manual, and optional three-speed automatic.
  • The Charger 2.2 was 174.0 inches long on a 96.6-inch wheelbase and carried five passengers.
  • Dodge offered a model-specific black lower-paint package in five color combinations.
  • Factory form 81-205-2006 was printed in August 1981.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Treat 1982 as the Charger 2.2 package, not the broader 1983-on Charger range; 1.7-liter 024 parts do not establish 1982 Charger fitment.
  • Confirm manual versus automatic transaxle before ordering clutch, linkage, mounts, seals, or service parts.
  • The preserved factory maintenance record on this page is scoped to the naturally aspirated 2.2-liter engine and must not be generalized to later Shelby/turbo cars.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1982 Charger on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1982 Dodge Charger. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
3
Scheduled topics
2
Applicability stated
3
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1982 · Naturally aspirated 2.2L SOHC inline-four · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated 2.2L configuration; Shelby/turbo and other engine requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12,000 km · Normal service; the archive also directs annual replacement when yearly mileage is below 7,500 miles.

    Source: Dodge — 1982 Charger L4-135 2212cc 2.2L SOHC VIN B 2-bbl factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — recurring 7,500-mile rows · checked

  • Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1982 · Naturally aspirated 2.2L SOHC inline-four · United States · This recovered schedule is scoped to the cited naturally aspirated 2.2L configuration; Shelby/turbo and other engine requirements are not claimed.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Catalyst-equipped U.S. normal-service replacement interval.

    Source: Dodge — 1982 Charger L4-135 2212cc 2.2L SOHC VIN B 2-bbl factory normal-service schedule (preserved service-manual database) · Maintenance > Service Intervals > Normal Service — 30,000-mile row and repeating rows · checked

  • Engine oil filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    The order numbers below establish replacement-filter fitment only; they do not establish a service interval. Confirm the installed engine, VIN, build date, and filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 1982 · United States

    2.2-liter (135 cu in) Chrysler SOHC inline-four

    Chrysler 4105409 or approved service replacement 3549957

    Chrysler identified 4105409 as the production filter and explicitly approved 3549957 (or equivalent) as a service replacement without changing oil capacity.

    Applies to: 1982 · 2.2-liter (135 cu in) Chrysler SOHC inline-four · United States · Exact 1982 Charger engine application. Confirm VIN, build date, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Source: Chrysler — 1985 oil-filter application bulletin 09-16-85 (public service-manual transcription) · Bulletin 09-16-85 — all 1981–1986 front-wheel-drive 2.2L engines except the later 1986½ turbo-with-oil-cooler application · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Dodge — 1982 024 and Charger 2.2 factory brochure (81-205-2006)
  2. DodgeGarage — 60 Years of the Dodge Charger, Generation 5: 1982–1987

Other Fifth generation years

All Fifth generation · L-body (FWD subcompact) years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1982 Charger

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

1factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

1versions shown
Browse 1 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe

Dodge 024 Charger 2.2

Body
Three-door front-wheel-drive hatchback coupe
Engine
2.2-liter (135 cu in) Chrysler SOHC inline-four
Gearbox
4-speed manual (standard) or 3-speed automatic (optional)
Built
Regular production
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