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2016 Dodge Challenger problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
45% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Dodge Challenger are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 56% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 18 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 35%).
Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 27 of 60 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Challenger concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (45%), and the largest group is filed under power train (16). For comparison, the 2015 scores 50% and the 2017 scores 25%. On a test drive, check for shuddering, slipping, delayed or harsh shifts, or a whine at speed. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Dodge Challenger
- What the repair costs. Typical transmission repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 27 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Dodge Challenger involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 2 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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…
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.
Fix: 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.…
1 other recall on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Dodge Challenger? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2016 Dodge Challenger
Does the 2016 Dodge Challenger have transmission problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 27 of 60 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Challenger concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (45%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the transmission and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Dodge Challenger?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2016 Dodge Challenger involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 2 in total: 18E053000 (power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Dodge Challenger years are better?
Among the Dodge Challenger years we track, the 2023 (12%), the 2018 (20%) and the 2012 (22%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (45%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2016 Dodge Challenger?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2016 Dodge Challenger has an elevated transmission complaint pattern, so treat it as a car that needs proof: service records showing transmission work, a cold-start test drive, and an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission. A well-kept or already-repaired example can be a fine car; an unknown one is a gamble.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.