Reliable Auto DB

2016 Dodge Challenger reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Dodge Challenger holds 78 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Challenger years here — under the median of the other years, which is 11. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Transmission control module and Wiring.

2012 Dodge Challenger
Photo by Pierre André Leclercq, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

78

Per year

9

Recalls

2

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (16 of 78), then Electrical system (15) and Engine (12). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 9 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Challenger has 126 complaints, 15 per year, and the 2017 has 49 complaints, 4 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Dodge Challenger. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2018-07-12 · NHTSA campaign 18E053000
Summary 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 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.
Remedy 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 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (78 total)

Powertrain
16
Electrical system
15
Engine
12
Air bags
11
Steering
9
Exterior lighting
6
Suspension
6
Service brakes
5
Seat belts
4
Wheels
4
Structure
3
Speed control
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Visibility
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

9

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

620161420177201810201992020820217202252023620244202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Good morning my (eps) Electronic steering system isn't working I have the light on my dashboard and while driving it went on and couldn't steer it needs force to turn and its difficult to keep it straight this is the…"
    Steering · filed 2026-04-27
  • "I am reporting a serious vehicle safety issue caused by negligent service performed by Tony T’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, located at 7250 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017. The dealership performed a borescope inspection…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-04-21
  • "I see a possible rollback on MY vehicle, the dealer sold it to me around 13,500 miles, carfax shows a possible rollback. Vehicle sold by Moritz Chevrolet Fort Worth, TexasFort Worth, TX Fort Worth, Texas817-696-2000…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-07-14
  • "When making a sharp turn where you need to turn the wheel fully to the left or right, the car steering would lock up and a power steering indicator light would appear on the dashboard. I would have to shut the vehicle…"
    Steering · filed 2025-07-12
  • "My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don’t even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge…"
    Steering, Suspension · filed 2025-05-30

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Challenger 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Challenger 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 16 25 19 MPG $3900
Challenger 6.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 25 18 MPG $4450
Challenger 5.7L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 23 18 MPG $4450
Challenger 6.4L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 23 17 MPG $4700
Challenger SRT8 6.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 25 18 MPG $4450
Challenger SRT8 6.2L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 13 21 16 MPG $5000
Challenger SRT8 6.4L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 23 17 MPG $4700
Challenger SRT8 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 13 22 16 MPG $5000

Specs and fitment

LC generation (3rd gen), 2012–2023
Body styles Coupe
Oil 5W-20 full synthetic (3.6L V6; Hemi V8 uses 5W-20 or 0W-40 per manual) , 7 qt capacity
Tire size 245/45R20 (many trims); staggered setups on wide-body and Hellcat models front / 245/45R20 (many trims); wider rear tires on staggered Hellcat and wide-body trims rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-280 covers certain 2018 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Durango, Chrysler 300, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, and Ram 1500 vehicles: an incorrect transmission park lock rod may allow the vehicle to move even when the shifter indicates Park. Dealers inspect and replace the park lock rod if needed. Recall 19V-203 covers certain 2019 Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles whose instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings; dealers update the instrument cluster software.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Dodge Challenger Next year 2017 Dodge Challenger See every Dodge Challenger model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Dodge Challenger holds 78 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Challenger years here — under the median of the other years, which is 11. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Transmission control module and Wiring.

What are common problems with a 2016 Dodge Challenger?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (16 of 78), then Electrical system (15) and Engine (12). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 9 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Challenger has 126 complaints, 15 per year, and the 2017 has 49 complaints, 4 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Dodge Challenger been recalled?

The 2016 Dodge Challenger has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Dodge Challenger?

Owners have filed 78 complaints about the 2016 Dodge Challenger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Dodge Challenger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Dodge Challenger is 18 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

When did Dodge stop making the Challenger?

The LC Challenger was built through the 2023 model year for the US market.

What oil does a Dodge Challenger with the 3.6L V6 take?

US notes list 5W-20 full synthetic for the 3.6L V6; Hemi V8 grades can differ (5W-20 or 0W-40 per the manual).

What tire sizes does a Dodge Challenger use?

Many trims list 245/45R20; wide-body and Hellcat models use staggered setups that differ front to rear.