Dodge loves interesting monikers, from the wild and crazy supercharged Hellcat powerplant to the Apache 6.4L engine. However, not all of Dodge’s engines are massive and powerful; little cars like the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 demanded a smaller powerplant. Enter the Tigershark, the Dodge and Chrysler antithesis of the fire-breathing Hellcat. 

What is a Dodge Tigershark engine?

The Tigershark is a Chrysler family engine that Dodge put in some of its vehicles since 2012. It’s part of the smaller engine family, focusing more on economy than power and torque. The latest Tigershark is a 2.4L, single overhead cam (SOHC) aluminum inline four-cylinder engine with four valves per cylinder. It’s lightweight, less thirsty than a Pentastar V6, and available in a myriad of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Fiat vehicles.  

Unlike the EcoBoost engine in the entry-level Mustang, this four-cylinder powerplant is missing the “power” part. For instance, according to TheDrive, the 2.4L Tigershark-powered Dodge Dart produced just 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. However, the Dart SXT could also manage 35 mpg at highway speeds, figures you wouldn’t get with a modern 3.6L Pentastar V6 in a big, heavy Challenger.  

Are Tigershark engines good?

While the Tigershark offers a modern alternative to Dodge’s six-and-eight-cylinder powerplants, it has its issues. In late 2020, owners filed a lawsuit against Chrysler for a defect. In this context, the Tigershark MultiAir engines burned oil excessively. However, it wasn’t just Chrysler vehicles. 

The oil-burning problem affected Jeep Cherokees, Dodge Darts, Fiat 500X models, the little Chrysler 200, and other similar vehicles. Furthermore, the earliest models involved in the issue are from 2014, not just newer cars and SUVs. If you’re concerned about your vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall tool is helpful for checking your vehicle’s recall status. 

What Dodge vehicles have a Tigershark engine? 

Many vehicles from the Fiat-Chrysler family of 2020 and prior have the Tigershark engine. For instance, Jeep put the engine in the Cherokee, Renegade, and Compass. Also, Chrysler and Dodge ran the 2.4L Tigershark in their small cars, the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart. Ram even used the engine; the ProMaster City Van packs the Dodge Tigershark powerplant. 

What other engines does Dodge still run? 

Dodge still runs a library of engines, but they’re larger than the Tigershark. First, Dodge runs a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with over 300 horsepower. Next, the marque has two naturally aspirated Hemi V8 options: the 5.7L and 6.4L Apache 392. The 5.7L Challenger R/T produces 375 horsepower, and the larger 6.4L in the Scat Pack produces 485 horsepower. 

However, Dodge is most renowned for its supercharged 6.2L Hellcat V8s, which produced 707 horsepower from its inception in 2015. Today, the Charger, Challenger, and Durango offer the monstrous motor. However, the symphony of supercharger whine isn’t long for this world; Dodge will phase out the V8-powered machines by 2024 for more economical powertrains. In fact, the marque just unveiled its first electric muscle car, the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV. 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about Mopars!