AI Damage2016 Dodge Charger: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Dodge Charger filed 182 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and electrical system. The maker issued 151 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 182
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 151
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- Structure: 53 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
- Powertrain: 25 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Engine: 25 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 25 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
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
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 182 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 53 | 1 | 10 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 0 | 49 |
| Powertrain | 25 | 1 | 32 |
| Engine | 25 | 1 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 25 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 17 | 2 | 5 |
| Air bags | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 35 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 dodge charger. While the contact's spouse was driving 55 mph down a hill with the cruise control activated, a deer jumped in front of the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated. The driver swerved, but the vehicle went over a cliff and crashed into some trees.
Was driving on the highway power steering unit fell out steering wheel locked up airbags deployed and could not step on the brake flu about a hundred feet in the air car is a total loss... ...updated 11/21/17
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. The contact was informed that all the oil had spilled into the coolant reservoir.
The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal thumping sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact slowed down the thumping sound decreased; however, the faster the vehicle was driven, the louder the sound became.
The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stopped by the dealer to pick up the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that in the evening, the vehicle failed to restart.
The interior door panels on both front doors of my 2016 Dodge Charger SXT have warped and pulled away from the frame near the window area. The defect appears to be heat-related, and the panels have progressively worsened over time.
Smelled fuel leaking inside car towards rear seat. Electrical connector to fuel pump had fuel surrounding it (located under back seat, on left side of car). Upon disconnecting connector, I notice two right most pins of connector (on pump) had a burn mark which cause a hole and allowed fuel to leak out.
The car shut down though the lights remained on and the message service ESC electronic stability control came on, service AWD system, service electric power steering, service brake system and at the time I just left a certified dodge dealership where they did a “” flash recall on the engines computer.
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 362 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Charger has 57 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 182, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
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
- Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range
Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
- AIR BAG - SIDE CURTAIN
- 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…
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet…
- Dynamic Sensor Prior to replacing this part, please ensure all the pre-diagnostic & diagnostic procedures…
Dynamic Sensor Prior to replacing this part, please ensure all the pre-diagnostic & diagnostic procedures have been completed with emphasis on wiring and connector integrity. If codes C006A-28, U0125-00, or C006A-46…
- LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is…
LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.
NHTSA lists 151 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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Charger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 182. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (10%), windows, sunroof (10%), warning lights, check engine (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Dodge Charger?
NHTSA lists 151 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 Charger 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.