Is the 2016 Dodge Charger a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Charger years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Dodge Charger are in line with other Charger years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Charger owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 49,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 53 (29%) | 28k–70k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 27 (15%) | 20k–96k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 25 (14%) | 27k–73k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 25 (14%) | 30k–78k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (14%) | 25k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 17 (9%) | 25k–70k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 49,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 181 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
7 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2016 Dodge Charger: 6
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… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle. If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power. A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
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. A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Dodge: 143
Repair instructions Dodge sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Dodge Charger. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
Suspected engine coolant leak
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA)
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2015 Charger: 136 complaints, keep it · 2017 Charger: 129 complaints, keep it.
Every Dodge Charger year
2001 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2026 · All Charger years side by side
Other Dodge models: Dodge Avenger · Dodge Caliber · Dodge Caravan · Dodge Challenger · Dodge Dakota · Dodge Dart · Dodge Durango · Dodge Grand Caravan · Dodge Intrepid · Dodge Journey · Dodge Magnum · Dodge Neon · Dodge Nitro · Dodge Ram · Dodge Ram Quad Cab · Dodge Sprinter 2500 · Dodge Stratus. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Charger a bad year?
181 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Charger years. At 49,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Dodge Charger?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (53), engine (27), electrical system (25), fuel system (25), transmission and drivetrain (25).
How many recalls does the 2016 Dodge Charger have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 18E053000), Speed control (NHTSA 18V-332), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 18V-281), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-824) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.