2016 Dodge CHALLENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
78 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 78 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 14 | 17.9% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 14.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 9.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 11 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Suspension | 6 |
Electrical System: 15; Power Train: 15; Engine: 12; Air Bags: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11; Steering: 9; Exterior Lighting: 6; Suspension: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2016: 6; 2017: 14; 2018: 7; 2019: 10; 2020: 9; 2021: 8; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10871669 · 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CONDITION IN WHICH THE BRAKES ENGAGED WHEN NECESSARY. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ADVANCE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE APPROACHING TRAFFIC. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10871669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916381 · 2016-10-16 (October 16, 2016)
MY 17 YEAR OLD SON'S 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER TURNS OFF WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. THE IGNITION SWITCH USUALLY GOES TO ACC (SOMETIMES RUN). ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, BRAKING IS DIFFICULT, HEATING/COOLING TURN OFF, AND ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL THE AIRBAGS BECOME INACTIVE IN ACC. MY SON HAS NEARLY HIT A TREE AND HE HAS CROSSED LANES INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AT ABOUT 2500 MILES 04/2016. IT HAS HAPPENED FROM10 MPH TO 70 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED 15 O…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111662 · 2018-07-16 (July 16, 2018)
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE. I THOUGHT A GARBAGE CAN WAS ON FIRE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY TRUNK WAS ON FIRE. CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED WITHIN 4 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP AND INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVE WIRING HARNESS OR BATTERY (LOCATED IN TRUNK) WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11162096 · 2018-12-17 (December 17, 2018)
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 NEAR THE ALTERNATOR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11162096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052637 · 2017-12-05 (December 5, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE AS IF THEY WERE PREMATURELY WEARING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A CLUNKING NOISE AS IF METAL WERE TOUCHING WHENEVER THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND VICE VERSA, AS WELL AS WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO POWAY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11054112 · 2017-12-12 (December 12, 2017)
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 TRAFFIC AND ONCE WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE LOSES ALL POWER FOR ABOUT 3-4 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON CHALLENGER CAR FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED ON 2016 & 2017 MODELS WITH …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11054112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947843 · 2017-01-26 (January 26, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WATER ENTERED THE ENGINE MANIFOLD TROUGH THE COLD AIR INTAKE, LOCATED SIX INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545383 · 2023-09-19 (September 19, 2023)
The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware of an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was parked at the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 224,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 224,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11545383 at NHTSA ↗