YearToAvoid

2016 Dodge Challenger Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, 21% of its 78 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 20,676 miles. No related recalls are listed for this area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
16
21% of 78
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
20,676 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a loud bang or clunking noise from underneath the car during acceleration or when coming to a stop at low speeds, sometimes accompanied by a dragging sensation.
  • Some report a rear differential grinding noise while turning that was diagnosed and repaired by the dealer.
  • Several owners describe the drive shaft carrier bearing disintegrating, leaving the drive shaft unsupported and at risk of breaking loose while driving.
  • Paddle shifters were reported to downshift instead of upshifting when requested at various speeds.
  • One owner reported the transmission sticking in gear both while parked and while driving, requiring synchro and clutch plate replacement.
  • One owner described the drivetrain breaking off entirely with a sudden loss of power to the wheels.

When 2016 Dodge Challenger transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 16, 2016, latest Apr 21, 2026.

2016 Dodge Challenger transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2016Dec 2017Jun 2019Jan 2020Apr 2022Jul 2023Jun 2024Apr 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Apr 2026; peak Jun 2019 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Dodge Challenger

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Challenger model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201036 (12%)
  2. 20118 (4%)
  3. 201217 (7%)
  4. 201316 (9%)
  5. 201412 (8%)
  6. 201529 (23%)
  7. 201616 (21%)
  8. 20175 (10%)
  9. 20188 (11%)
  10. 20197 (12%)
  11. 20203 (15%)
  12. 20213 (16%)
  13. 20221 (11%)
  14. 20230 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger transmission reliable?
NHTSA lists 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2016 Challenger, making up 21% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 20,676 miles.
Are there any transmission recalls for the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the transmission & powertrain area of the 2016 Challenger.
What transmission problems do 2016 Challenger owners report?
Owners report clunking or banging noises during acceleration or stopping, drive shaft carrier bearing failures, paddle shifters downshifting unexpectedly, and transmissions sticking in gear.
Did any 2016 Challenger transmission complaints involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 1 fire among the 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2016 Challenger.
How does the 2016 Challenger compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2016 model's 16 transmission & powertrain complaints and 21% share are higher than most other Challenger years, though 2015 had a higher share at 23% and 2010 had more raw complaints at 36.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.