CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2016 Dodge Challenger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

78

Complaints

10

Crashes

2

Fires

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Dodge Challenger have filed 78 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2016 and April 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 16 of them (21%). The typical failure was reported at 16,000 miles, the median across the 47 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

18V332000 · May 17, 2018

The 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 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 current speed or possibly accelerating.
The 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.
The 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 disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 4,815,661 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 78.

POWER TRAIN 16 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15 19%
ENGINE 12 15%
AIR BAGS 11 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 14%
STEERING 9 12%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6 8%
SUSPENSION 6 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 6%
SEAT BELTS 4 5%
WHEELS 4 5%
STRUCTURE 3 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 14.

2016 2017 2026
2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

2 injured · crash · towed · 11,000 miles

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 FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE LOCAL DEALER CURTSY

NHTSA complaint 11024260, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

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 LACK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE FORCE OF HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT BELT ALSO DID NOT

NHTSA complaint 10871669, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 6,000 miles

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 MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS

NHTSA complaint 10888898, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 1,900 miles

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 GOOGLE SEARCHES. BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES RUPTURES WHEN THE CAR WENT SIDEWAYS FOR THE SECOND TIME

NHTSA complaint 10994349, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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 understand why only certain cars this isn't supposed to happen so often and having to be paid off by

NHTSA complaint 11734016, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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, including risk of fluid loss, overheating, drivetrain failure, and potential loss of vehicle control

NHTSA complaint 11732861, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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

NHTSA complaint 11673389. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
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 times over the last 3 months.

NHTSA complaint 11673009. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Challenger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 41 2
2022 9 2
2021 19 2
2020 20 1
2019 58 3
2018 74 3
2017 49 3
2015 126 5
2014 146 4
2013 179 5
2012 253 6
2011 193 6
2010 298 7

Other 2016 Dodge models

Every Dodge on this site — 105 vehicles, 431 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst