Dodge Challenger problems
78 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The rear trunk lid struts fail to keep the trunk open causing the trunk to close without warning and has hit me in the head several times while unloading groceries. It is also very hard to open as the trunk is quite heavy. This was noted to the dealer during the warranty period…
Battery failure light brought up on dashboard, battery voltage healthy but dashboard readings read otherwise. Over time car stalled out, disabled ABS, electronic stability control and brakes. Speedometer went up and down and power steering shut off. Burning smell from engine…
I was driving on the interstate and the ACC/FCW light came on.Then soon after The ABS light came on then the power steering system failed causing the steering wheel to lock while I was driving.I turned my car off in the emergency lane and restarted the car.All of them light when…
2016 Dodge challenger 392 engine. When shifting the manual transmission from second to third gear, there is a severe hesitation that lasts a few seconds. This hesitation is so severe that I have nearly been involved in 2 accidents. Once while turning left in front of on-coming…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Dodge Challenger is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Dodge Challenger does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 13 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 30,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Dodge Challenger has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Dodge Challenger?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 78 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.