The Lemon Index

All cars · Dodge Charger · 2016

2016 Dodge Charger. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index71100 = average car
Complaints68NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold95,437U.S. model year
Per 100K sold71complaints
Year rank#10 of 17#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.6L 6-cylAuto 8-spdRWD19 / 30 / 23Regular$2,700
3.6L 6-cylAuto 8-spdAWD18 / 27 / 21Regular$2,950
5.7L 8-cylAuto 8-spdRWD16 / 25 / 19Midgrade$3,750
6.2L 8-cyl superchargedAuto 8-spdRWD13 / 22 / 16Premium$4,850
6.4L 8-cylAuto 8-spdRWD15 / 25 / 18Premium$4,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,400 and 74,500 miles. Median 43,500, from 106 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Body structure49,00024,500–70,00037
Fuel or ev drive system57,20024,900–87,50011
Engine32,20014,000–94,00015
Electrical62,50018,400–97,00011
Transmission & drivetrain42,00016,000–86,40014

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Body structure19%
Fuel or ev drive system16%
Engine16%
Steering12%
Electrical12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
18272809

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 18E053000 Jul 2018 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    Defect. 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. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its curren

    Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will either perform a software update or replace the PCM, free of charge. The recall began July 26 , 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U82, and U83.

  • 18V332000 May 2018 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. 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), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit with

    Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be d

  • 18V281000 May 2018 Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Dodge Charger pursuit police vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive and V8 engines. The front driveshaft universal joint may seize or fracture causing the shaft to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk. If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U37.

  • 17V824000 Dec 2017 Equipment

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable.

    Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall i

  • 17V097000 Feb 2017 Power Train / Axle Assembly / Axle Shaft

    Defect. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). The front driveshaft bolts may loosen and allow the front driveshaft to disconnect, potentially causing a loss of motive power.

    Risk. A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace all eight front driveshaft bolts, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T03.

  • 16V043000 Jan 2016 Structure

    Defect. FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured August 23, 2010, to January 7, 2016. When an affected vehicle is lifted using the supplied tire jack without chocking the wheels, the vehicle's body-side sill may give causing the tire jack to fail and the car to fall.

    Risk. A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will provide owners with wheel chocks and instructions for their use, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S03.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 275

Dodge filed 275 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Electric Power Steering Gear For LA, LD and LX Models ONLY; Before this part is replaced for:…
  • Pentastar Oil Filter Adapter All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L engine; If replacing…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
Dodge Charger SRT 4 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201312214598,336Electrical
201413314194,099Electrical
2015545094,725Electrical
2016716895,437Body structure
2017575488,351Electrical
2018978180,226Electrical
2019484796,935Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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