AI Damage2016 Dodge Challenger: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Dodge Challenger filed 78 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 149 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 78
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 149
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 16 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (19% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 46.
- Engine: 12 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Air bags: 11 complaints (14% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Steering: 9 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 6.2 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl
- 6.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 2 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 78 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 16 | 0 | 29 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 46 |
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 10 |
| Air bags | 11 | 9 | 1 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My wife's vehicle sustained significant damage to the front end and the airbags did not deploy. I have filed a complaint with the dodge corporation as well as the the dealership at which she purchased the vehicle new. At the time of the collision the vehicle had only 32,876 miles on it.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries to his ribs from the seat belt and face due to the windshield glass shattering which embedded into his skin but no medical attention was provided. A police report was filed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder (dislocated) and to the right knee. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed by a towing company.
During the crash, the front driver side seatbelt failed to secure the driver who was thrown from the vehicle and sustained fractured ribs, a fractured left arm, and fractures to both legs. The 3-year-old rear driver side passenger sustained a head injury. Both received medical treatment. A police report was filed.
This condition created a significant safety hazard, including risk of fluid loss, overheating, drivetrain failure, and potential loss of vehicle control while driving. The issue was confirmed by another repair facility. I have photo and video evidence, as well as the service invoice.
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 off and restart it for the light to turn off and resume steering functionality.
It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue.
The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. During the failure, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 675 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Challenger has 44 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 78, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following…
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may…
- Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00,…
Active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00, B1A15-00, B1A16-00, and B1A17-00 in The Radio Frequency Hub (RFH)
- PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates.
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates
- Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range
Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
- SWITCH AND BEZEL - FRONT DOOR
- "Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood,…
"Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: Verify current…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair…
Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service…
- Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges…
Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading edge of hood, hinges or other exterior surface areas of the hinges, doors, fenders, swing gates or liftgates. NOTE: **Verify current…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals…
NHTSA lists 149 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Total Loss Rebuild & Upgrades by BEM!amount per author: 100,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2016 Dodge Challenger RT Manual Episode 1
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 78. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (12%), headlights and tail lights (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
NHTSA lists 149 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Dodge Challenger from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.