2016 Dodge Challenger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

109 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 38/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 23,100 miles.

109Complaints
38/100Trouble index
2Recalls
16,000Typical trouble mileage

Below average

Where 2016 sits among all Challenger years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 21 complaints (19%) · typically ~23,100 miles
Transmission & drivetrain 16 complaints (15%)
Other 12 complaints (11%)
Engine 12 complaints (11%) · typically ~16,000 miles
Airbags 11 complaints (10%) · typically ~6,022 miles
Steering 9 complaints (8%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 61 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 16,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 6,022 and 33,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (2)

POWER TRAIN 18E053000 2018

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…

Fix: 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…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18V332000 2018

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,…

Fix: 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…

Federal defect investigations

Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture EA21002 opened September 17, 2021 · still open

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade,…

Model years named: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Technical service bulletins

278 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2016 Dodge Challenger. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2016 Challenger TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2016peak 22 in 20172026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?

The 2016 Dodge Challenger drew 109 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 38/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).

What are the most common 2016 Dodge Challenger problems?

The top reported problems for the 2016 Dodge Challenger are electrical (21 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (16), and other (12).

At what mileage do 2016 Dodge Challenger problems show up?

Owners most often report 2016 Dodge Challenger problems around 16,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 6,022 and 33,000 miles.

Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have recalls?

2 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Dodge Challenger. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2015 Challenger All Challenger years 2017 Challenger →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.