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 exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Dodge Charger powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Dodge Charger have filed 21 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 56,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Charger | 57 |
| 2013 Charger | 48 |
| 2014 Charger | 52 |
| 2015 Charger | 30 |
| 2016 Charger (this page) | 21 |
| 2017 Charger | 16 |
| 2018 Charger | 9 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle, Intermittent Key Not Detected Message
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission
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 report multiple recurring powertrain failures. The most common complaint involves driveshaft degradation and bearing wear, occurring between 54,000 and 90,000 miles. Owners describe loud thumping and grinding noises that increase with vehicle speed; some report the driveshaft loosens visibly or separates entirely, damaging the transmission and transfer case in at least two cases. Replacement costs have run as high as $2,000 per incident, and one owner reports the identical failure recurring months after a dealer repair.
Transmission issues include hard, jerky downshifts when slowing from highway speeds and a persistent problem where the vehicle rolls away when shifted into Park, sometimes stalling if the parking brake is not manually engaged. A SERVICE TRANSMISSION light appears but dealers have not pinpointed a fix; one dealer attributed banging to the transmission being "stuck in a sweet spot" with no solution offered.
Owners also report sudden power loss and engine shutdown during normal driving, with no warning lights and no condition reproducible during dealer diagnostics. The AWD system has been reported to illuminate its service light and cut power unexpectedly, requiring vehicle shutdown and restart.
Several owners mention harsh, jerky shifts during acceleration and deceleration after attempted repairs to driveshaft, gaskets, filter housings, control modules, and axles—none of which resolved the issues.
Same Dodge Charger powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Driveshaft failure and bearing wear
Driveshaft corrodes, loosens, or breaks; center support bearing wears down or fails. Failures reported at 54,000–89,996 miles. In at least two cases, the driveshaft separated and damaged the transmission and/or transfer case. Owners report loud abnormal thumping and grinding noises. One narrative states that at highway speeds, driveshaft separation could cause loss of control and be fatal.
When: 54,000–89,996 miles; one owner reports recurrence shortly after repair in May 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Loud abnormal thumping or grinding sound from front or underbody while driving; Sound increases with speed; Driveshaft visibly corroded, loose, or unable to move freely when handled; Center support bearing worn down or completely worn; Driveshaft separates and damages transmission or transfer case
Codes mentioned: CHECK ENGINE light (reported in at least one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Driveshaft replacement required; one owner paid $2,000 for repair and carrier bearing replacement; full driveshaft replacement often necessary because shops do not sell carrier bearing separately; some repairs completed under dealer warranty; some VINs not covered by NHTSA recall 18V281000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V281000 (POWER TRAIN) exists but does not cover all 2016 Charger VINs in complaints; some owners informed no recall applies; some repairs done under warranty; one owner notes a 2018 recall for carrier bearing no longer listed
Transmission hard downshift and park-hold failure
Vehicle downshifts hard when slowing from 40+ mph, jerking and banging at low speeds. Car rolls away when placed in Park and may stall if brake is released without parking brake engaged. 'SERV TRANSMISSION' and 'SERVICE AWD' lights illuminated. Dealer replaced manual service switch but issue persists.
When: No specific mileage stated; described as recurring multiple times
Symptoms owners cite: Hard downshift and jerking when slowing from highway speeds; Banging or violent shifting at 10 mph; Vehicle rolls away from Park; Vehicle stalls when brake is released without parking brake set; CHECK ENGINE and SERVICE TRANSMISSION lights appear; 'SERV AWD SYSTEM' light periodically illuminates
Codes mentioned: Service Transmission, Service AWD System
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced manual service switch; issue recurred twice after repair; dealership attributed banging to transmission 'stuck in a sweet spot' but offered no permanent fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dodge Customer Care notified and case opened; no remedy provided to date; dealership unable to resolve after multiple visits
Sudden power loss and stalling while driving
Vehicle loses power and shuts down unexpectedly during normal operation. No warning lights precede the event. Requires pulling to complete stop, shifting to Park, waiting 2–3 minutes or longer before restarting. Issue does not reproduce during dealer test drives.
When: Ongoing for at least 6 months; occurs during normal highway and city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; Engine shuts down without warning lights; Vehicle must come to complete stop before restarting; Restart delay of 2–3 minutes or longer required; No diagnostic trouble codes when tested
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop and dealer unable to diagnose due to condition not reproducing during test drive
AWD system malfunction and power loss
SERVICE AWD SYSTEM light illuminates periodically; vehicle loses power without warning and must be shut off and restarted to regain drivability. Event reported at city and highway speeds.
When: Specific mileage not stated; occurred twice in city streets and once at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AWD SYSTEM warning light illuminates; Sudden loss of engine power; Loss of vehicle drivability requiring shutdown and restart; Service light clears after restart
Codes mentioned: Service AWD System
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to diagnose root cause of AWD light and power loss
Transmission jerking and harsh shifting during acceleration and deceleration
Vehicle jerks and shifts harshly when accelerating or slowing to a stop, occurring at speeds between 30 and highway speeds. Reported as a separate recurring issue from the hard downshift problem. Dealership attempted repairs for driveshaft, gasket, engine oil filter adaptor housing, drivetrain control module, and axles; repairs were not effective and parts were defective.
When: Reported in 2019 and ongoing; no specific current mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking and harsh shifting when accelerating from stop or low speed; Jerking and harsh shifting when decelerating to stop; Occurs across a range of speeds (30+ mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repairs: driveshaft, gasket, engine oil filter adaptor housing, drivetrain control module, and axles; repairs stated to be ineffective and parts defective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Westerr Orchard Park) performed repairs in 2019 but did not resolve issue correctly
Engine power loss and RPM surge unrelated to load
When accelerator is depressed firmly, engine RPM spikes but no power is delivered to wheels; vehicle remains stationary or coasts until issue resolves.
When: No specific mileage or frequency stated
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM increases without corresponding acceleration; No power transfer to wheels despite accelerator input; Vehicle stationary or drifting until condition clears
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Dodge Charger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 18,000 and 89,996 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 18,000; a quarter make it past 89,996. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.