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)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Charger electrical problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 20 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Dodge Charger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Decreased Remote Start And RKE Range. Tire Pressure Sensors Values Are Not Displayed
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, 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 Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Dodge Chargers are reporting serious electrical failures across multiple systems. Headlight circuits are the most common complaint—bulbs fail repeatedly and blow fuses, with some owners needing a full PDC (Power Distribution Center) unit replacement quoted at $5,300 with labor. Ignition coils are failing progressively; dealers have told owners this is a known problem and all coils will eventually fail.
Engine stalling is a major safety issue. Owners describe their cars dying without warning at stop lights or on the highway, with traction control disabling. Some owners have had camshaft sensors and batteries replaced without fixing the underlying problem. Mechanics have mentioned TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) repairs.
Battery drain is severe—one owner replaced five batteries in a year because the electrical system wasn't cutting power properly. Sunroofs stick open, power seats move on their own while driving or entrap passengers, and trunk latches open while the vehicle is moving. Burnt smells from the HVAC blower appear alongside oil leaks under the engine cover, though dealers have refused to investigate further. Check engine lights stay illuminated permanently in some cases. Dealers acknowledge many of these are common issues but offer little resolution.
Same Dodge Charger electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight failure and electrical fuse damage
Headlight bulbs fail repeatedly, fuses melt or blow out, and the headlight circuit causes cascading electrical damage. Owners report the PDC (Power Distribution Center) unit itself becoming faulty, controlling overall electrical distribution. One owner faced a $5,300 repair for PDC + wiring harness replacement when the unit was no longer in production.
When: 2-7 years of ownership; reported at 62,500+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlamps not working or working intermittently; Bulbs coming on and off; Melted fuses; PDC unit failure; Vehicle unable to pass inspection; Safety hazard at night
Repairs/costs cited: PDC replacement with wiring harness quoted at $5,300 labor + parts; past repairs included individual headlight unit replacement, bulb replacement, fuse replacement ($212 diagnostic fee reported)
Ignition coil failure
Multiple ignition coils fail progressively, dealers confirm this is a known common problem in Dodge vehicles. Owner reported being told all coils would eventually fail.
When: April and July during highway driving; occurred early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive shaking while driving on freeway; Check engine light intermittent; Power loss during acceleration; Loud, unsettling noise
Codes mentioned: P0430
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil replacement; owner spent over $800 in repairs related to this and catalytic converter issue combined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reports 800,000+ Dodge vehicles recalled for similar issue but their vehicle excluded from recall
Random engine shutdown and stalling
Engine shuts off without warning at stop signs, traffic lights, or while driving on highways. Vehicle restarts usually without issue but occasionally becomes stuck in 3rd gear on restart. Check engine light illuminates, traction control and sport mode disable. Dealers have replaced camshaft sensor and battery without resolving the problem; TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) repair mentioned.
When: Occurs randomly; reported at approximately 62,500 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies at stops without warning; Vehicle stuck in gear after restart; Check engine light on; Traction control disabled; Sport control disabled; No power with no notice
Codes mentioned: P0430
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft sensor replaced, battery replaced; TIPM repair attempted (vehicle in shop since March 31, 2020 per one complaint); dealers unable to consistently diagnose
Battery drain and dead battery condition
Battery drains rapidly even when parked for short periods. One owner replaced five batteries in one year and three in two months. Vehicle becomes completely dead if left parked, preventing normal use.
When: Ongoing issue; noted in last 1-2 year periods of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Battery goes dead quickly; Vehicle dead after overnight parking; Unable to start vehicle; Rapid battery deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple battery replacements (5 in one year reported); root cause not identified
Instrument panel drain and startup failure
Instrument panel remains illuminated even after vehicle is turned off and keys removed, suggesting power is not properly cut off. Vehicle will not start after overnight parking despite no warning lights.
When: After parking overnight; reported at 62,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel stays illuminated with ignition off; Vehicle unable to start next morning; No warning lights displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended battery replacement without diagnosis; vehicle not repaired
Sunroof malfunction and seal failure
Sunroof cannot be closed; system reboot does not restore function. Door seals are failing, with black weatherstripping material coming undone on driver and passenger doors, exposing interior panels and failing to seal windows properly. Airbag panel trim is also coming undone.
When: During normal use; no specific mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof stuck in open position; Weatherstripping coming undone on doors; Interior panels exposed; Window seals failing; Airbag panel trim coming loose
Power seat malfunction and hazard
Driver seat moves forward or backward automatically during active driving, extending all the way forward and preventing access to pedals. Emergency brake activates automatically on highway with no obstruction. One incident involved daughter's head nearly becoming trapped when seat adjusted unexpectedly during door opening.
When: Occurring approximately 1 year duration; one incident at 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Seat moves forward/backward while driving; Unable to reach pedals; Emergency brake activates without cause; Automatic seat adjustment during door opening; Potential neck entrapment hazard
Burnt smell from HVAC blower and engine oil leaks
Burnt smell comes from blower motor when HVAC is running, occurring multiple times. Oil is found under engine cover. Dealer acknowledges the smell occurs but cannot identify the cause and dismisses further investigation.
When: Multiple occurrences during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Burnt smell from blower when operating; Oil under engine cover; Smell occurs repeatedly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer aware but refused to investigate further
Trunk latch failure
Trunk opens suddenly and unexpectedly while driving, causing vehicle to lose power and nearly resulting in accident. No warning given before failure.
When: During highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk flies open while driving; Vehicle shuts off when trunk opens; No warning before failure
Backup camera malfunction
Backup camera displays rear view even after shifting out of reverse gear, failing to switch displays properly. Door panel glue has failed along with glue on gear shifter area panel.
When: During normal use; no specific mileage given
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera stays on after leaving reverse; Door panel glue failed; Gear control panel glue failed
Check engine light malfunction and wiring harness defect
Check engine light remains on permanently despite repairs. Wiring harness is defective. Electrical issues persist throughout vehicle.
When: During ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light will not turn off; Persistent engine light despite repairs
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The harness on the car is defected and the engine light will not go off on the car.
The car randomly dies. I will come to a stop sign or stop light and it will shut off without warning. Usually I put the car in park and it starts back up without issues. Last time it happened when I started it back up it was stuck in 3rd gear. I've had it towed to Landmark dodge before and they said cam shaft sensor so they replaced it. Then it happened again and they agreed it was the battery.…
Heather makes noises when blowing bolts are missing that holds the front grill or bumper
The car has had over 5 batteries in the last year and 3 in the last 2 months. Something is constantly draining the battery in my car and making them go very bad. Also the car will be dead if I park it too long because of the electrical issue and it’s been a huge problem for me.
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Dodge Charger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Dodge Charger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 28,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 62,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Dodge/Charger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.