2016 Dodge Charger Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Dodge Charger has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 10th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported Structure & Body issues (31% of complaints), followed by Engine (18%) and Electrical System (16%) problems, with 5 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #10 of 19 Charger years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 182
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 0
Top 2016 Dodge Charger problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners reported the front of the vehicle catching fire while parked, with the engine identified as the fire's source.
- Drivers described sudden loss of steering control, including a stiff steering wheel that led to a crash and a separate case of the power steering unit failing at highway speed, causing the steering wheel to lock up.
- One owner reported the brake pedal failing to slow the vehicle when depressed, resulting in a crash after swerving to avoid a deer.
- A driver reported a strong raw fuel smell entering the cabin through the dash vents shortly after delivery, caused by a fuel system leak.
- One owner reported the steering column undercarriage trapping their foot when moving from the brake to the accelerator pedal.
- An owner in a rear-end collision reported that the A-pillar and B-pillar crushed severely without airbag deployment.
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?
- Compared to other Charger model years, the 2016 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 10th worst out of 19 years, putting it in the middle of the pack with a Caution verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Charger?
- NHTSA complaints show Structure & Body issues make up 31% of reports, followed by Engine problems at 18% and Electrical System issues at 16%.
- Does the 2016 Dodge Charger have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Charger, covering electrical system software, front driveshaft components, a fire extinguisher replacement, and a wheel chock issue when jacking the vehicle.
- What year Dodge Charger should I avoid instead of 2016?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014 carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index scores than the 2016 model, which is only rated Caution.
- At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Charger problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 45,000 miles, though Structure & Body complaints centered around 46,000 miles and Electrical System complaints around 62,500 miles.