2016 Dodge Challenger: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2016 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 78 owner complaints, 1.2× the Challenger median year by raw count; top issue: powertrain / transmission (16 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 0.90, where 1.00 is a typical Challenger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). Severity drives it: 63% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2012–2023 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
78
NHTSA complaints
1.2×
vs. median Challenger year
278
Service bulletins
2
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2016 Dodge Challenger problems
Powertrain / transmission leads a spread-out record, named in 21% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2016 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 16 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 19% |
| Engine | 12 | 15% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 14% |
| Air bags | 11 | 14% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2016 Dodge Challenger recalls
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016, reported between May 17, 2018 and Jul 12, 2018.
2016 Dodge Challenger service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 278 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2016 — close to the 232 of the median Challenger year from 2012 to 2023. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (85), powertrain / transmission (65), engine & cooling (50). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2016 vs. the year before and after
From the 2015 to the 2016, owner complaints fell 39% (127 → 78) — an improvement. The 2017 that followed fell 37% (78 → 49), so the 2017 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Challenger | AVOID | 127 | 350 | 6 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | SOLID | 78 | 278 | 2 | — |
| 2017 Challenger | SOLID | 49 | 194 | 3 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Challenger years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2016 Dodge Challenger
Powertrain / transmission (16 complaints on the 2016): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (15 complaints on the 2016): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (12 complaints on the 2016): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Air bags (11 complaints on the 2016): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Steering (9 complaints on the 2016): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Recalls: confirm all 2 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Dodge Challenger — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?
2016 Dodge Challenger: SOLID — 78 owner complaints, 1.2× the Challenger median year by raw count; top issue: powertrain / transmission (16 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 0.90, where 1.00 is a typical Challenger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2016 Dodge Challenger problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2016 Dodge Challenger are powertrain / transmission (16, 21%), electrical system (15, 19%), engine (12, 15%). The manufacturer has 278 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have?
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, most recently 18E053000 (Jul 12, 2018, powertrain / transmission); 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2016 Dodge Challenger before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2016 Dodge Challenger come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.