CSR

Dodge · NHTSA safety record

2016 Dodge Charger

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

182

Complaints

7

Crashes

2

Fires

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2016 Dodge Charger have filed 182 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2016 and May 2026. The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 53 of them (29%). The typical failure was reported at 45,000 miles, the median across the 107 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (5)

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

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

18V281000 · May 1, 2018

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

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 13,928 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V824000 · December 21, 2017

The 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. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The 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 is T82.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 61,791 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

17V097000 · February 14, 2017

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

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 69,298 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE

16V043000 · January 28, 2016

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

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 441,578 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 182.

STRUCTURE 53 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 32 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 14%
ENGINE 25 14%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 25 14%
POWER TRAIN 25 14%
STEERING 17 9%
AIR BAGS 9 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 8 4%
SUSPENSION 7 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 36.

2016 2020 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.

STEERING

6 injured · crash · towed · 38,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON DIRT ROAD AT ABOUT 15 OR 20 MPH, I WAS STEERING STRAIGHT IN THE INTENDED DIRECTION, WITHOUT ANY SWAYING, FISHTAILING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND VEERED LEFT THUS, COMING TO REST IN A DRAIN DITCH....UPDATED 10/11/17 *BF UPDATED 10/18/17 *BF UPDATED 7/24/18*JB *TR

NHTSA complaint 11031609. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3 injured · 51,235 miles

I HAVE A 2016 DODGE CHARGER SXT. THE CARS DOOR PANELS ON ALL DOORS HAVE BEGAN TO PEEL BACK. THIS IS CAUSING THE WINDOW FRAMING TO BE EXPOSED AND CAUSING THE WINDOW TO NOT BE PROTECTED. THIS HAS BECOME A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THESE DODGE CHARGERS. THERE IS NO WARRANTY OUT THAT CAN COVER THESE ISSUES. THESE ARE NEWER MODEL CARS THAT HAVE DEFECTS THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS ISSUE CAN GET IT REPLACED WITH NO COST OR AT A VERY LOW COST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA complaint 11184644. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 42,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 DODGE CHARGER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH DOWN A HILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER SWERVED, BUT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CLIFF AND CRASHED INTO SOME TREES. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION, BROKEN RIBS, AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA complaint 11112573. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 110,000 miles

The contact owned a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 - 15 MPH, another vehicle suddenly crashed into his vehicle from the rear driver's side at approximately 55 MPH. The contact stated that the driver’s side A-pillar and driver’s side rear B-pillar were severely crushed, but no air bags deployed. A police report was made. The vehicle was towed from the scene and deemed a total loss. The contact suffered a concussion, bruising along the left side of his body, memory loss, and a broken collar bone. The contact was not aware of anyone else had sustained any injuries. The contact went to the hospital to seek medical attention. The manufacturer was not

NHTSA complaint 11443991, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am starting to smell fuel inside of my car everytime I fill up my vehicle.

NHTSA complaint 11738256. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 100,000 miles

The contract owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 38 MPH, the vehicle began cranking. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road, where they called a relative. Once the relative arrived and inspected the vehicle, they noticed the drive shaft had detached. They drove back up the road the truck had just traveled and found the drive shaft. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic, who confirmed the drive shaft had detached from the vehicle, causing a fracture in both the transmission and transfer case. The contact found information on NHTSA Campaign Numbers 16V-043000 (Structure) and 18V-281000 (Power Train); reported a similar failure. The

NHTSA complaint 11737747, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

110,000 miles

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Charger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed oil cooler. The contact was informed that all the oil had spilled into the coolant reservoir. In addition, the contact was informed that the oil cooler was made of plastic and was warped. The contact was informed that the oil cooler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description, however the contact's VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact

NHTSA complaint 11735553, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Dodge Charger, 2016, won't turn on a list. Key is in the cup holder. On the driver's side also there are many videos showing this same issue with many dodge, twenty sixteen chargers.

NHTSA complaint 11721420. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am the original owner of a 2016 Dodge Charger SXT AWD (VIN: [XXX] ). On February 3, 2026, while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure. I heard a loud metallic grinding noise from underneath, followed by an immediate loss of power and "Service Transmission" and "SERV AWD" warnings on the dashboard. The vehicle became inoperable, and the engine could not be shut off through normal means after the incident. Recall Context: This vehicle has previously had Safety Recalls T03 (Driveshaft Bolts) and U60 (Front Driveshaft) performed in 2017/2018. However, the current failure is identical to the safety defects described in those recalls. This indicates a

NHTSA complaint 11718257, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I recently tried to get my oil changed and they told me that the oil filter housing was cracked. After doing research on this there is several sources saying that there is lots that has had the same malfunction. Surprised there isn't a recall on this part

NHTSA complaint 11711829. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Dodge Charger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 26 2
2022 13 3
2021 32 2
2020 57 3 1
2019 120 5
2018 122 6
2017 128 4
2015 135 7
2014 343 9 2
2013 359 8
2012 648 14
2011 694 11
2010 232 6 2

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