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Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2016 Dodge Challenger

Verified August 31, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
2
on record
MPG
23
combined

Open recalls on record

2 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Vehicle Summary

2016 Dodge Challenger

2 recalls
78 complaints
23 MPG combined
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Confirm all 2 recalls were repaired — a dealer checks by VIN, free
Read the 10 complaints reporting a crash
Review the 78 owner complaints on record
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
2
Owner complaints
78
Complaints citing a crash
10

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalized by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

2 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 18E053000high

    Drivetrain issue

    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    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 current speed or possibly accelerating.

    Consequence

    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.

    Full campaign record
  • 18V332000high

    Wiring harness issue

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    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.

    Consequence

    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 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.

    Full campaign record

NHTSA crash-test ratings

NCAP star ratings and the underlying test breakdown for the 2016 Dodge Challenger.

  • Frontal crash

    Driver
    4 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
  • Side crash

    Driver
    5 / 5
    Passenger
    5 / 5
    Side pole
    5 / 5
  • Rollover

    Rollover risk
    11.1%
    Dynamic tip
    No Tip

Driver-assistance technologies

Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane departure warning
No

What the ratings mean

NHTSA gives the 2016 Dodge Challenger 5 out of 5 stars overall, level with the 5-star median for the 17 comparable 2016 vehicles NHTSA rated in this class.

NHTSA published results for every NCAP test in this program, so the overall star rating rests on a complete set of crash and rollover results.

NHTSA's dynamic test put this vehicle's rollover probability at 11.1% in a single-vehicle crash — the figure behind the rollover star rating, published here because the star alone hides how wide each band is.

NHTSA crash tests

2016 Dodge Challenger Frontal crash crash test
Frontal crash Video
2016 Dodge Challenger Side crash crash test
Side crash Video
2016 Dodge Challenger Side pole crash test
Side pole Video

Fuel economy & emissions

EPA figures for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, with tailpipe CO₂ and class context.

19

City

30

Hwy

23

Comb

Annual fuel cost
$2,650
Tailpipe CO₂
392 g/mi

How this compares

At 23 MPG combined, the 2016 Dodge Challenger ranks 15th of 20 midsize cars EPA rated for 2016 — 3 MPG short of the 26 MPG median for that group.

That places it in the lower third of its class. If annual mileage is high, the running-cost gap against a class-average rival compounds quickly.

EPA puts annual fuel spend at about $2,650, $100 more than the $2,550 typical for the class. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is roughly $13,250, a $500 difference against a class-median vehicle.

Tailpipe CO₂ is 392 grams per mile — about 5.9 metric tons over 15,000 miles of driving.

Consumer complaints

78 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

78
Total
10
Crashes
2
Fires
10
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE24
  • ELECTRICAL11
  • AIR BAGS11
  • OTHER9
  • STEERING7

Notable Issues

78 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 10 reports involve injuries. 10 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)24
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)11
airbag concerns (warning light, deployment issues)11

Safety timeline

Every dated recall and NHTSA investigation for the 2016 Dodge Challenger, newest first.

  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA21002

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  2. Recall

    Recall 18E053000

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

  3. Recall

    Recall 18V332000

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

Dates are the NHTSA report-received date for recalls and the ODI open/close date for investigations. Crash-test ratings are not shown here because the source does not provide a reliable publication date for them.

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Midsize Cars
Drive type
Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine
3.6L 6-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic 8-spd
Seats
0

Fuel economy

19

City

30

Hwy

23

Comb

Annual cost
$2,650
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Dodge Challenger years

Common problems

Dodge Challenger problems

472 owner complaints analyzed

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA21002

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

  2. Recall

    Recall 18E053000

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

  3. Recall

    Recall 18V332000

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