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2016 Dodge Challenger Problems & Owner Complaints

78 NHTSA owner complaints
10 crash 2 fire 10 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~7.1 complaints per year on the road — ranking 10 of 14 Dodge Challenger years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Dodge Challenger, cited in 16 of 78 filed complaints (21%).

Electrical System is next (15 complaints, 19%), followed by Engine (12), Air Bags (11), Steering (9).

Across all complaints, 10 report a crash, 2 report a fire, 10 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 9 crash, 6 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 78.

Power Train 16 1 fire

“Was taking off from a red light, got to about 15 MPH and there was a loud bang and I felt it from under the car. It then felt like I was dragging something under the car, but that couldn't be as I was behind another car and if there were something in the road, they would have hit it. I managed to pull over to the side of the road. I put it in park and tried to turn it off. It wouldn't turn off and the "P" on the shifter was blinking and so was the "Run" light. It was at that point smoke started coming from under the hood. I grabbed my belongings from the passenger compartment, but couldn't ope…”
NHTSA complaint #11547811, 2023 · fire

“I am reporting a serious vehicle safety issue caused by negligent service performed by Tony T’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, located at 7250 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77017. The dealership performed a borescope inspection of the rear differential on my 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, as documented on my invoice. After this service, it was discovered that critical differential plugs were removed and not reinstalled, multiple fasteners were missing, and the differential assembly was left loose to the point it could be physically moved by hand. This condition created a significant safety hazard,…”
NHTSA complaint #11732861, 2026

“Center bond of crankshaft Damper falling-off front of engines on the highway due to defective bonding material in manufacturing causing failure in rubber bonding. At highways speeds, a 10lb chunk of metal will fall-off HEMI engines & create a flying projectile at other motorists on the road causing damage or death to other vehicles/drivers and/or pedestrians. Owners who are unaware of this safety-issue will be unaware that their crankshaft-damper has fallen off due to not realizing a piece of the engine is now missing, thus creating possibility of engine failure due to No Vibration Dampening a…”
NHTSA complaint #11593203, 2024

Electrical System 15 1 fire

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11111662, 2018 · fire

“I had a recall fixed at dodge for PCM since then service power steering comes on and the steering wheel locks up sometimes I'm driving and it seizes up it started at 37000 miles And when my extended warranty was up 3yr manufacture 6 yr extended warranty but since we purchased it in the beginning the warranty overlapped not fair since I should have had 9 yrs now I can't even drive my car more than 15minutes also it's very dangerous that I can be driving and all of a sudden can't turn the steering.”
NHTSA complaint #11607381, 2023

“Tipman module is melting and has a burning smell and black marks where there has been spark. Fire hazard. Draws too many amps from headlights. Drivers side seatbelt won't register and seatbelt airbag light is on.”
NHTSA complaint #11568974, 2023

Engine 12 1 injury

“CHRYSLER MAKER OF DODGE CHALLENGER 2016 AND OTHER MODELS AND OTHER YEARS ARE AWARE OF A MAJOR DEFECT. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING ON MANY MAKES AND MODELS LEAK LOTS OF OIL. AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 40,000 OF THIS PART ON BACK ORDER. THEY LEAK OIL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE BURNING OIL PUTS FUMES IN THE CAR AS YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS CAN MAKE YOU SLEEPY AND THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT. YOU CANT TAKE A PICTURE OF THE PART WITHOUT REMOVING THE UPER AND LOWER INTAKE. I SENT A PIC OF THE OIL IN MY DRIVE. PLEASE GOOGLE THIS AND SEE THAT THIS NOT A ISOLATED THI…”
NHTSA complaint #11397787, 2021 · 1 injury(ies)

“Hemi Tick. The problem is so bad there is a common name for Stelantis 5.7 Hemi engine. Nothing else needs to be said the problem is well documented.”
NHTSA complaint #11639234, 2024

“Center bond of crankshaft Damper falling-off front of engines on the highway due to defective bonding material in manufacturing causing failure in rubber bonding. At highways speeds, a 10lb chunk of metal will fall-off HEMI engines & create a flying projectile at other motorists on the road causing damage or death to other vehicles/drivers and/or pedestrians. Owners who are unaware of this safety-issue will be unaware that their crankshaft-damper has fallen off due to not realizing a piece of the engine is now missing, thus creating possibility of engine failure due to No Vibration Dampening a…”
NHTSA complaint #11593203, 2024

Air Bags 11 9 crash 6 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 67 MPH, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS JAY WALKING AND SUCCUMBED TO HIS INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS RIBS FROM THE SEAT BELT AND FACE DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD GLASS SHATTERING WHICH EMBEDDED INTO HIS SKIN BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE IT WAS BEING HELD FOR AN INVESTIGATION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11389263, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER (DISLOCATED) AND TO THE RIGHT KNEE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A TOWING COMPANY. HILLTOP CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (3291 AUTO PLAZA DRIVE, RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94804, (510) 243-6100) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILUR…”
NHTSA complaint #11122803, 2018 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THE CAR STARTED DOING A REAR WHEEL HOP IN SECOND GEAR CHANGE AS ALREADY REPORTED TO DODGE. DODGE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VIA A MR MIKE MACDONALD. THIS WHEEL HOP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO 3 DODGE DEALERS WHO SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". ON THE OFFER TO REPLACE THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT CAME. I SHOULD HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT OFFER. THE CAR ALMOST KILLED ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, AS MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. MULTIPLE CASES OF AIR BAGS ON THESE CARS NOT DEPLOYING HAS COME UP IN…”
NHTSA complaint #10994349, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Unknown Or Other 11

“There is a tsb for all 392 and hellcats regarding the Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Update. This prevents thief’s from stealing your car and making a new key fob with their own programming tool. I was told today that my vehicle does not qualify because it’s a manual transmission. My car was stolen December 11 and if I had that update for the key fob it would have prevented them from stealing my car. I was able to recover the car and wanted to do have the Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM) Update. My car because it’s a manual now is a huge risk where the automatics have some what of a chanc…”
NHTSA complaint #11564738, 2023

“The rear camera wiring harness becomes loose from opening and closing the trunk. Over time the camera intermittently stops working. I had this repaired once by the dealer under warranty but it keeps happening. Now the warranty is expired so the dealer will not repair unless I pay for it. But the original repair did not solve the problem so I am not willing to pay them. When the camera goes out you have to open the trunk and giggle the wires to get it to work again. This has been an ongoing issues since the car was new. I noticed the recent Tesla recall for this same problem and decided to repo…”
NHTSA complaint #11445702, 2021

“UNABLE TO LOOK UP ANY RECALLS BECAUSE YOUR WEBSITE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE MY VIN NUMBER? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11328437, 2020

Steering 9

“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 Electronic steering system that fails while the car is in motion very dangerous if your driving on the freeway. I seen there was a recall for this but on certain cars but I don't un…”
NHTSA complaint #11734016, 2026

“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 recently purchased the vehicle with 19,000 miles, so not sure if the happened before we purchased the car and the used car dealer reset the codes. This issue has happened many time…”
NHTSA complaint #11673009, 2025

“My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don’t even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue. Its not right,”
NHTSA complaint #11664047, 2025

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Exterior Lighting 6

“Center LED Tail Lights burned out. No damage or modification done. Fuses checked. Unit failed. 41,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11574523, 2024

“NOTICED HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THEN SOMEONE SAID MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WAS OUT, MY UPGRADED HEADLIGHTS ARE SO BRIGHT I DIDN'T NOTICE WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO DODGE DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE THE $1200. MOPAR BULB WHEN THEY FOUND THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, THE FUSE HAD MELTED INTO THE WIRING HARNESSES. THEY TOLD ME IT'S A $700 PART & 14 HOURS LABOR BUT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER WITH NO ETA 68273736AE SO I COULDN'T FIX IT ANYWAYS. SO I STARTED LOOKING IT UP & THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM & CHRYSLER HAD THIS ISSUE ON RECALL BACK IN 2011…”
NHTSA complaint #11329106, 2020

“MY HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT. SOMETIMES ONE SIDE, SOMETIMES BOTH. IT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. LUCKILY I WAS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. PULLED IN THE GARAGE TO FIND THAT BOTH HEADLIGHT FUSES (FUSE 15 AND FUSE16) WERE BURNT. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON FORUMS AND WEBSITES DEDICATED TO MY CAR, MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE TIMES. LUCKILY THIS TIME I WAS NOT ON A BUSY STREET, BUT I WAS ON A STATE ROUTE A MINUTE PRIOR TO THIS. BOTH MY LOWBEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS WERE AFFECTED.”
NHTSA complaint #11322266, 2020

Suspension 6 2 crash 2 injury

“THE CAR STARTED DOING A REAR WHEEL HOP IN SECOND GEAR CHANGE AS ALREADY REPORTED TO DODGE. DODGE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VIA A MR MIKE MACDONALD. THIS WHEEL HOP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO 3 DODGE DEALERS WHO SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". ON THE OFFER TO REPLACE THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT CAME. I SHOULD HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT OFFER. THE CAR ALMOST KILLED ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, AS MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. MULTIPLE CASES OF AIR BAGS ON THESE CARS NOT DEPLOYING HAS COME UP IN…”
NHTSA complaint #10994349, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND LOST SEVERAL TEETH, BUT ME…”
NHTSA complaint #10888898, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don’t even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue. Its not right,”
NHTSA complaint #11664047, 2025

Service Brakes 5 1 crash 1 injury

“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 SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION DUE TO THE LAC…”
NHTSA complaint #10871669, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“CAXMAX SOLD ME A CAR THAT MY MECHANIC DESCRIBED AS FLOOD DAMAGED UP TO THE BODY LINE JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. RUST FROM THE ENGINE TO THE EXHAUST TIPS. ROCKS AND SAND IN ALL BODY CAVITIES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CONVEYED THIS INFORMATION TO MY SALESMAN WHO FACILITATED A REFUND. I INCLUDED PHOTOS. A WEEK LATER IT WAS BACK ON THE CARMAX SOUTH SACRAMENTO WEBSITE (WHERE I BOUGHT IT) WITH UPDATED MILEAGE INFORMATION AND NO MENTION OF THE FLOOD DAMAGE. AS IT IS IN 'UNAVAILABLE' STATUS IT IS LIKELY BEING RESOLD TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER.”
NHTSA complaint #11301517, 2020

“LOST POWER STEERING, LOST STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS BRAKES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 695. SYSTEMS CYCLED ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY REMAINED OFF. CAR DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11004713, 2017

Seat Belts 4 3 crash 3 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 54 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT MEDIAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO SECURE THE DRIVER WHO WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIBS, A FRACTURED LEFT ARM, AND FRACTURES TO BOTH LEGS. THE 3-YEAR-OLD REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY. BOTH RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CAUSE OF THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11024260, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“THE CAR STARTED DOING A REAR WHEEL HOP IN SECOND GEAR CHANGE AS ALREADY REPORTED TO DODGE. DODGE HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT VIA A MR MIKE MACDONALD. THIS WHEEL HOP WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO 3 DODGE DEALERS WHO SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". ON THE OFFER TO REPLACE THE CAR I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT CAME. I SHOULD HAVE NOT TAKEN THAT OFFER. THE CAR ALMOST KILLED ME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME, AS MY HEAD SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. MULTIPLE CASES OF AIR BAGS ON THESE CARS NOT DEPLOYING HAS COME UP IN…”
NHTSA complaint #10994349, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I HAD A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT HEAD ON COLLISION TO GUARD RAILS. SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRICT ME FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD ALSO MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AT IMPACT.”
NHTSA complaint #11366450, 2020 · crash

Wheels 4

“Sounds as if the front wheels are hitting against something as your accelerating but disappears when you let off the accelerator”
NHTSA complaint #11501270, 2022

“I HAVE THE 6Y TYPE WHEEL ON MY CAR AND ONE HAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE EDGE INWARD. I SEE ON DODGE FORUMS SEVERAL INSTANCE OF THIS TYPE WHEEL CRACKING. I HAVE SPOKE TO BOTH A DEALERSHIP AND FCA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE IT. STATING ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES ON IT. HERE IS A SEARCH RESULTS IM SPEAKING OF. HTTPS://WWW.BING.COM/SEARCH?Q=DODGE+CHALLENGER+WHEELS+CRACKING&FORM=EDGSPH&REFIG=C6656ACA600E4B56A05D3F675A0ADEB3&MKT=EN-US&MSNEWS=1&PC=LCTS&SP=-1&GHC=2&PQ=DODGE+CHALLENGER+WHEELS+CRACKING&SC=1-32&QS=N&SK=&CVID=C6656ACA600E4B56A05D3…”
NHTSA complaint #11374239, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, ONE OF THE REAR WHEEL RIMS CRACKED AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RIM. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11279990, 2018

Structure 3 1 injury

“The rear trunk lid struts fail to keep the trunk open causing the trunk to close without warning and has hit me in the head several times while unloading groceries. It is also very hard to open as the trunk is quite heavy. This was noted to the dealer during the warranty period but they said they were unable to duplicate it. The struts need replaced. I feel this should be a recall since it has occurred since the vehicle was new. Someone could be severely hurt or become trapped in the trunk. The struts are under designed for the weight of the trunk.”
NHTSA complaint #11445704, 2021 · 1 injury(ies)

“THE DOOR PANELS ARE SEPARATING FROM THE DOORS.”
NHTSA complaint #11153540, 2018

“ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO AGO I REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH THE FACTORY REMOTE STARTER. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS STATIONARY, PUSHED THE START BUTTON TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY, ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO LATER THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND SHUTOFF, ALL THE DASHBOARD CLUSTER LIGHTS AND SIDE MIRROR PROXIMITY LIGHTS CAME ON. THE PUSH BUTTON WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED IN THE "RUN" POSITION. I TRIED TO PUSH THE START BUTTON AND NOTHING HAPPENED, I TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN AS THE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN TO ALLOW ME TO OPEN THE DOOR (FRAME…”
NHTSA complaint #11098094, 2018

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“Tipman module is melting and has a burning smell and black marks where there has been spark. Fire hazard. Draws too many amps from headlights. Drivers side seatbelt won't register and seatbelt airbag light is on.”
NHTSA complaint #11568974, 2023

“2016 Dodge Challenger. Consumer stated that when accelerating the pedal became stuck in the down position.”
NHTSA complaint #11418723, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“LOST POWER STEERING, LOST STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS BRAKES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 695. SYSTEMS CYCLED ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY REMAINED OFF. CAR DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11004713, 2017

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“I was driving on the interstate and the ACC/FCW light came on.Then soon after The ABS light came on then the power steering system failed causing the steering wheel to lock while I was driving.I turned my car off in the emergency lane and restarted the car.All of them light when off but then the airbag warning light came on.”
NHTSA complaint #11497133, 2022

Fuel System 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11545383, 2020

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“THE ACCERATOR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, WENT TO DEALERSHIP STATED MY PEDAL WAS DEFECTIVE REPLACED IT, WHEN I TAPPED ON PEDAL IN WENT ALL THE WAY DAY, MY CARE STARTED TO SPEED PAST 100MPH ON HIGHWAY,”
NHTSA complaint #11063852, 2018

Visibility 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FACTORY EOM WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER (EAST HILLS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM SRT, 2300 NORTHERN BLVD, GREENVALE, NY 11548, 1-(866) 386-2702) SERVICED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD NOT SPECIFIED IF THE REPLACEMENT OEM WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED OEM WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A RESPONSE TO THE DEALER AND VEHICLE OWNER. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11196757, 2018

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2016 Dodge Challenger draws about 7.1 complaints per year on the road, ranking 10 of 14 among the Dodge Challenger model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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