2016 Dodge Charger Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
64/100
#6 most-complained of 15 Charger years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Dodge Charger has 182 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 64, ranking 6th worst of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Structure & Body issues lead with 56 complaints (31% share), followed by Engine problems at 33 complaints.
- Complaints
- 182
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
Top 2016 Dodge Charger problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body56 (31%)
- Engine33 (18%)
- Other33 (18%)
- Electrical System30 (16%)
- Fuel System26 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (14%)
- Steering17 (9%)
- Brakes11 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (5%)
- Airbags9 (5%)
What owners report
- Some owners report engine fires occurring while the vehicle was parked, with the fire department later identifying the engine as the fire's origin.
- Steering complaints describe sudden loss of control, including a stiff steering wheel and a vehicle veering off the road at low speed.
- One owner reported the power steering unit failing on the highway, causing the steering wheel to lock and the airbags to deploy.
- Owners describe the brake pedal failing to stop the vehicle in an emergency situation, leading to a crash.
- A fuel system complaint describes a strong raw fuel smell entering the cabin through the dash vents shortly after delivery.
- Structure complaints include the steering column undercarriage trapping a driver's foot while switching between pedals.
2016 Dodge Charger recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.
- NHTSA 18V281000May 1, 2018Transmission & Powertrain13,928 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.
- NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles
Equipment
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
2016 Dodge Charger fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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 Charger years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Dodge Charger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Charger has a Complaint Index of 64 and ranks 6th worst of 15 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Charger years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Charger?
- Structure & Body issues lead with 56 complaints (31% share), followed by Engine problems with 33 complaints and Electrical System issues with 30 complaints, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Charger have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Charger, covering electrical system software, front driveshaft bolts, a fire extinguisher replacement, and a wheel chock issue with the tire jack, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Charger compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 64 is better than 2011 through 2014 (all rated Avoid with indexes of 79 to 100) but worse than 2015, 2017, and 2018, which are rated Good.
- What mileage do 2016 Charger problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 45,000 for the 2016 Charger overall, with Structure & Body issues at 46,000 miles and Engine issues at 37,087.5 miles.