Reliable Auto DB

2016 Dodge Charger reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Charger over 11 years — 15 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Charger years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Transmission control module, Wiring, and Driveshaft.

2012 Dodge Charger
Photo by PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

182

Per year

15

Recalls

6

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (53 of 182), then Electrical system (25) and Engine (25). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Charger has 136 complaints, 9 per year, and the 2017 has 128 complaints, 10 per year. The 2016 has more 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 Charger. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

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.
Recall Driveshaft 2018-05-01 · NHTSA campaign 18V281000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000
Summary 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
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.
Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2017-02-14 · NHTSA campaign 17V097000
Summary Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.
Recall Structure 2016-01-28 · NHTSA campaign 16V043000
Summary FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.
Remedy Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.

Complaints by component (182 total)

Structure
53
Electrical system
25
Engine
25
Fuel and propulsion system
25
Powertrain
25
Steering
17
Air bags
9
Exterior lighting
8
Service brakes
8
Suspension
7
Speed control
5
Visibility and wipers
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Engine and engine cooling
3
Seat belts
3
Seats
3
Wheels
3
Equipment
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Other or unknown
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

820161320172420182320193620202520211420221220239202411202572026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am starting to smell fuel inside of my car everytime I fill up my vehicle."
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-05-16
  • "The contract owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 38 MPH, the vehicle began cranking. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road, where they called a relative. Once…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-05-14
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed oil cooler.…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-05-04
  • "Dodge Charger, 2016, won't turn on a list. Key is in the cup holder. On the driver's side also there are many videos showing this same issue with many dodge, twenty sixteen chargers."
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-03-02
  • "I am the original owner of a 2016 Dodge Charger SXT AWD (VIN: [XXX] ). On February 3, 2026, while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. I heard a loud metallic grinding noise…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-16

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Charger 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Charger 6.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 25 18 MPG $4450
Charger 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 30 23 MPG $2800
Charger 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 16 25 19 MPG $3900
Charger all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 18 27 21 MPG $3100
Charger all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 18 27 21 MPG $3100
Charger SRT8 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 13 22 16 MPG $5000
Charger SRT8 6.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 25 18 MPG $4450

Specs and fitment

LD generation, 2012–2023
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 full synthetic (3.6L V6 Pentastar) , 7 qt capacity
Tire size 235/55R18 (SXT), 245/45R20 (R/T and above)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 24V-198 covers certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles: the right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. Dealers replace both side curtain air bags. Recall 19V-203 covers certain 2019 Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, and Chrysler 300 vehicles whose instrument cluster may not properly illuminate driver warnings; dealers update the instrument cluster software.

Compare

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

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Dodge Charger reliable?

Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Charger over 11 years — 15 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Charger years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Transmission control module, Wiring, and Driveshaft.

What are common problems with a 2016 Dodge Charger?

The complaints owners file most often name Structure (53 of 182), then Electrical system (25) and Engine (25). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

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

The 2015 Charger has 136 complaints, 9 per year, and the 2017 has 128 complaints, 10 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Dodge Charger been recalled?

The 2016 Dodge Charger has 6 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 Charger?

Owners have filed 182 complaints about the 2016 Dodge Charger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Dodge Charger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Dodge Charger is 19.9 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Dodge Charger use?

Most recent V6 Charger models call for 5W-20 full synthetic with about 7 quarts including the filter.

What does NHTSA recall 24V-198 cover on the Dodge Charger?

Recall 24V-198 covers certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles: the right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

What generation is the 2013 Dodge Charger?

LD generation (2012-2023).