Suspected engine coolant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Charger engine problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Dodge Charger have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 92,458 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Charger | 39 |
| 2013 Charger | 24 |
| 2014 Charger | 26 |
| 2015 Charger | 10 |
| 2016 Charger (this page) | 12 |
| 2017 Charger | 6 |
| 2019 Charger | 9 |
| 2020 Charger | 3 |
1fire
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2016 Dodge Charger report oil system failures that can strand or disable the vehicle suddenly. The most frequent complaint involves oil cooler hoses rupturing without warning during normal highway driving, causing complete oil loss and exterior oil spray with no dashboard alert. One owner's dipstick read zero oil after a 110,000-mile failure where the plastic oil cooler warped and dumped oil into the coolant. A 2017 recall for the same hose defect exists, but many 2016 owners were not included.
One vehicle caught fire at 4,200 miles from an engine-related cause while parked. Another owner reported a dropped valve that destroyed the cylinder mid-drive—a failure noted historically on V8 2006 Chargers, suggesting a recurring design vulnerability. Separate owners describe unexplained engine stalling immediately after refueling that repeats every fill-up, plus cracked oil filter housings leaking oil and intake gasket failures. One owner documented over $500 in dealer diagnostics for the stalling issue with no resolution. Exhaust fumes entering the cabin sickened a young child in one vehicle. Traction control warning lights sometimes decelerate the vehicle to 30 MPH without clear cause, even after dealer attempts to repair.
Same Dodge Charger engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Oil cooler hose rupture / oil cooler failure
Hoses connecting the oil cooler rupture under normal highway driving, causing complete oil loss and spraying oil onto vehicle exterior. At higher mileage, the plastic oil cooler itself warps and fails, mixing oil into the coolant system and causing engine overheating.
When: 110,000 miles (oil cooler failure); variable mileage (hose rupture)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil sprayed on passenger doors and bumper; Oil puddle under car; Engine overheating; No warning light when oil level drops to zero
Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler hose replacement; full oil cooler replacement (plastic unit)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2017 Charger models recalled September 2018 for oil cooler hose rupture. Some 2016 models have the same issue but were not initially included in recall.
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire while parked with very low mileage. Fire department determined the engine was the source. Vehicle was destroyed.
When: 4,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fire originating from engine area while vehicle parked
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified
Dropped valve / valve train failure
Engine drops a valve during normal highway driving, destroying the cylinder. Owner notes this was reported as a problem on V8 2006 Chargers, suggesting a design issue may persist in the 2016 model.
When: Unknown; occurred after highway driving and refueling stop
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy thunking sound when trying to start engine; Complete engine failure requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; cylinder destroyed
Traction stability control warning light / power loss
Traction stability control warning light illuminates during normal driving, sometimes accompanied by involuntary deceleration to 30 MPH. Issues persist after dealer service attempts.
When: 42,000 miles; 92,458 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Traction stability control warning light illumination; Involuntary deceleration to 30 MPH; Vehicle requires restart to resume normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: Attempted dealer service; repairs unsuccessful in one case, no diagnosis in another
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case
Exhaust fumes in cabin
Exhaust fumes enter the cabin through the ventilation system, causing health symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and illness in children. Dealer servicing did not resolve the issue.
When: 42,000 miles; less than 100 miles (heater core case)
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust odor in cabin; Occupant nausea and dizziness; Child became ill from fume exposure
Repairs/costs cited: One case attributed to leaking heater core (vehicle had less than 100 miles at purchase); other cases unresolved despite dealer service
Engine stall without warning
Engine stalls immediately after refueling with premium fuel, accompanied by loss of power steering. Vehicle cannot be restarted immediately. Pattern repeats consistently with every fill-up.
When: Unknown; occurs after each refuel
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall while driving; Loss of power steering; Unable to restart immediately; Recurring after each fuel fill-up
Repairs/costs cited: Over $500 spent on dealer diagnostics; no resolution identified
Engine clicking noise and check engine light
Clicking noise emanates from the engine during acceleration, triggering check engine warning light. Specific parts requiring replacement uncertain.
When: 127,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from engine during acceleration at 50 MPH; Check engine warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by independent mechanic; specific parts replacement not documented
Cracked oil filter housing
Oil filter housing develops cracks, leading to oil leaks. Owner reports multiple vehicles with the same defect but no recall issued.
When: Unknown; discovered during oil change service
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from filter housing
Repairs/costs cited: Oil filter housing replacement required
Oil leaks from intake and filter adapter gaskets
Upper and lower intake gaskets and oil filter adapter housing gaskets fail, causing oil to leak.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from upper intake; Oil leaking from lower intake; Oil leaking from filter adapter housing
Repairs/costs cited: Gaskets and oil filter adapter housing replacement
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2016 Dodge Charger?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 16,779 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 92,458. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,779; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.