2016 Dodge Charger: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2016 Dodge Charger: AVOID — 182 owner complaints (1.87 per 1,000 sold), 3.7× the Charger median year; top issue: structure (53 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.78, where 1.00 is a typical Charger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.18. 50% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
182
NHTSA complaints
1.87
Complaints per 1,000 sold
275
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2016 Dodge Charger problems
Structure leads a spread-out record, named in 29% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2016 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 53 | 29% |
| Unknown or other | 32 | 18% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 25 | 14% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 25 | 14% |
| Engine | 25 | 14% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2016 Dodge Charger recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016, reported between Jan 28, 2016 and Jul 12, 2018.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 18E053000 | Jul 12, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 18V281000 | May 1, 2018 | Powertrain / transmission › Driveline › Driveshaft |
| 17V824000 | Dec 21, 2017 | Equipment |
| 17V097000 | Feb 14, 2017 | Powertrain / transmission › Axle assembly › Axle shaft |
| 16V043000 | Jan 28, 2016 | Structure |
2016 Dodge Charger service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 275 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2016 — close to the 244 of the median Charger year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (91), powertrain / transmission (62), engine & cooling (48). 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 rose 34% (136 → 182) — a step backward. The 2017 that followed fell 29% (182 → 129), so the 2017 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Charger | CAUTION | 136 | 328 | 8 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | AVOID | 182 | 275 | 6 | — |
| 2017 Charger | CAUTION | 129 | 222 | 4 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Dodge Charger years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2016 Dodge Charger
Structure (53 complaints on the 2016): look under the car for rust or damage around the subframe and rockers, open every door and the liftgate, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
Fuel / propulsion system (25 complaints on the 2016): smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
Powertrain / transmission (25 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.
Engine (25 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.
Electrical system (25 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.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Dodge Charger — 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.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Dodge Charger reliable?
2016 Dodge Charger: AVOID — 182 owner complaints (1.87 per 1,000 sold), 3.7× the Charger median year; top issue: structure (53 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.78, where 1.00 is a typical Charger year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 0.18.
What are the most common 2016 Dodge Charger problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2016 Dodge Charger are structure (53, 29%), unknown or other (32, 18%), fuel / propulsion system (25, 14%). The manufacturer has 275 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Charger have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Dodge Charger, most recently 18E053000 (Jul 12, 2018, powertrain / transmission); 18V332000 (May 17, 2018, electrical system); 18V281000 (May 1, 2018, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2016 Dodge Charger 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 Charger come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2016 calendar-year sales; 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.