2016 Dodge Challenger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Dodge Challenger has 78 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 53, and ranks 8th worst of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Top problem areas are electrical (23%), transmission and powertrain (21%), and engine (18%), with one recall on record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 Challenger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 78
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2016 Dodge Challenger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System18 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain16 (21%)
- Engine14 (18%)
- Airbags11 (14%)
- Other11 (14%)
- Steering9 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (12%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Seat Belts4 (5%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple rear-end and frontal crashes at speeds ranging from 25 to 70 mph.
- Owners describe a brake pedal that engaged unexpectedly or was slow to respond at highway speed.
- One owner reported a driveline clunk noise in the rear of the vehicle when slowing between 3 and 6 mph, occurring on a nearly new vehicle.
- A trunk fire was reported while parked, suspected to involve the wiring harness or battery, with the vehicle totaled.
- An owner reported the engine stalling during a low-speed turn after water reportedly entered the engine manifold through the cold air intake.
- A seat belt reportedly failed to secure a driver during a rollover crash at around 54 mph.
2016 Dodge Challenger recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
2016 Dodge Challenger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Challenger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?
- NHTSA lists 78 complaints for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, giving it a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict. It ranks 8th worst among 16 model years of the Challenger.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
- Electrical system complaints make up 23% of reports, followed by transmission and powertrain at 21% and engine issues at 18%. Airbags account for 14% of complaints and are linked to 9 crashes.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 Challenger, campaign 18V332000, covering the electrical system, addressed with a software flash. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Is the 2016 Challenger better or worse than other years?
- The 2016 Challenger's complaint index of 53 is lower than 2009-2014 model years, all rated Avoid or Caution with higher indexes, but higher than 2017-2023 years, most rated Good or Best.
- What is the median mileage when problems occurred on the 2016 Challenger?
- Across all reported complaints, the median mileage at failure was 16,000 miles. Airbag complaints had a lower median of 6,011 miles, while electrical system complaints averaged 23,100 miles.