2016 Dodge Challenger: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
78 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Dodge Challenger's year to avoid is 2012, an AVOID at 45 on 253 complaints, with 138 of them in the Electrical System category; the 2011, 2013 and 2014 cars are CAUTION at 59, 60 and 66. The years to buy are 2016 onward, where every year is a BUY and the 2020, 2021 and 2022 cars score 94, 90 and 92 on 20, 19 and 9 complaints. Read the full note on the model page. 2016 specifically: a year the record favours — 78 complaints, score 86/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300: the years to avoid, including 2016 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 78 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 7.8
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Good morning my (eps) Electronic steering system isn't working I have the light on my dashboard and while driving it went on and couldn't steer it needs force to turn and its difficult to keep it straight this is the second time im replacing this part last time I had this same problem was 2 yrs ago and I've noticed online people having the same issue with not only challengers but other dodge vehicles that use the E…
I see a possible rollback on MY vehicle, the dealer sold it to me around 13,500 miles, carfax shows a possible rollback. Vehicle sold by Moritz Chevrolet Fort Worth, TexasFort Worth, TX Fort Worth, Texas817-696-2000 moritzchevrolet.com
When making a sharp turn where you need to turn the wheel fully to the left or right, the car steering would lock up and a power steering indicator light would appear on the dashboard. I would have to shut the vehicle off and restart it for the light to turn off and resume steering functionality. The car was inspected by the dealership and the indicated that it showed the error code happened one time, however we r…
Recalls: 2 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18E053000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) Part Numbers P5160023, P5160025, and Demon Crate PCM Part Number 68412287AA. The PCMs are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. |
| 18V332000 | Electrical System:Wiring | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb),… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a sports car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,800
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Power Train16 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System15 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Engine12 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other11 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Air Bags11 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
- Steering9 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
Other Dodge Challenger years
Dodge Challenger years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (16 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2016 Dodge Challenger a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 86/100, computed from 78 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2016 Dodge Challenger's most common problem?
16 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2016 Dodge Challenger sit in the Power Train group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is transmission service or clutch-pack repair: about 7.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,290–$4,040 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2016 Dodge Challenger cost to run per year?
About $5,017 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $25,088 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 12/07/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other sportss of about the same age.
What will a 2016 Dodge Challenger really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 78 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 78 NHTSA complaints on record (7.8/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (9.4/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems