2016 Dodge Challenger: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don't even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue. Its not right,”Owner report · Suspension · May 2025
“When making a sharp turn where you need to turn the wheel fully to the left or right, the car steering would lock up and a power steering indicator light would appear on the dashboard. I would have to shut the vehicle off and restart it for the light to turn off and resume steering functionality. The car was inspected by the dealership and the indicated that it showed the error code happened one time, however we recently purchased the vehicle with 19,000 miles, so not sure if the happened before we purchased the car and the used car dealer reset the codes. This issue has happened many times over the last 3 months.”Owner report · Steering · May 2025
“Hemi Tick. The problem is so bad there is a common name for Stelantis 5.7 Hemi engine. Nothing else needs to be said the problem is well documented.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. During the failure, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2024
“Center bond of crankshaft Damper falling-off front of engines on the highway due to defective bonding material in manufacturing causing failure in rubber bonding. At highways speeds, a 10lb chunk of metal will fall-off HEMI engines & create a flying projectile at other motorists on the road causing damage or death to other vehicles/drivers and/or pedestrians. Owners who are unaware of this safety-issue will be unaware that their crankshaft-damper has fallen off due to not realizing a piece of the engine is now missing, thus creating possibility of engine failure due to No Vibration Dampening any longer attached to the crankshaft pulley.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated while her husband was driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was confirmed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2023
“Tipman module is melting and has a burning smell and black marks where there has been spark. Fire hazard. Draws too many amps from headlights. Drivers side seatbelt won't register and seatbelt airbag light is on.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2023
“I had a recall fixed at dodge for PCM since then service power steering comes on and the steering wheel locks up sometimes I'm driving and it seizes up it started at 37000 miles And when my extended warranty was up 3yr manufacture 6 yr extended warranty but since we purchased it in the beginning the warranty overlapped not fair since I should have had 9 yrs now I can't even drive my car more than 15minutes also it's very dangerous that I can be driving and all of a sudden can't turn the steering.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2023
“2016 dodge challenger 39,900 miles. Drive train completly broken off. My safety and others steering problems. Sudden lack of power to tires. This car is driven very little and is driven like a grandma. This drive train should never had been and issue. There should be recalls on this. I am having to pay $2500 to get it replaced. The only warning I had was I noticed it wasn't powering like it should or turning like it should. Even though its 7 years old, the mileage on it proves its a well taken care of vehicle.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2023
“I was driving on the interstate and the ACC/FCW light came on.Then soon after The ABS light came on then the power steering system failed causing the steering wheel to lock while I was driving.I turned my car off in the emergency lane and restarted the car.All of them light when off but then the airbag warning light came on.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Dec 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
How other years compare
Check your exact Challenger by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Dodge Challenger. The most complained-about area is power train (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Challenger problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 24,800 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:cruise control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.