Model year 2016 · Large Cars

2016 Dodge Charger: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 Dodge Charger at 16–23 mpg combined across 8 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

5

EPA combined mpg

16–23

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Dodge dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 Dodge Charger recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2016 Dodge Charger, newest first.

Electrical system: Software and 2 more components

NHTSA 18V332000 Reported May 17, 2018
Filed by
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. U49,U59-U65,U68,U73)
Components
Electrical system: Software; Vehicle speed control: Cruise control; Electrical system: Wiring
Units affected
4,815,661 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
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 recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Driveline: Driveshaft

NHTSA 18V281000 Reported May 1, 2018
Filed by
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. U37)
Units affected
13,928 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
If the front driveshaft detaches from the vehicle it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Equipment

NHTSA 17V824000 Reported Dec 21, 2017
Filed by
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. T82)
Units affected
61,791 (estimate)
Problem
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
Risk
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Axle assembly: Axle shaft

NHTSA 17V097000 Reported Feb 14, 2017
Filed by
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. T03)
Units affected
69,298 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
A loss of motive power can increase the risk of a crash.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Structure

NHTSA 16V043000 Reported Jan 28, 2016
Filed by
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. S03)
Units affected
441,578 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
A car that falls unexpectedly increases the risk of injury.
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 Dodge Charger fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 Dodge Charger EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Charger3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DriveRegular19/30/23 mpg$2,900389
Charger3.6L 6-cyl ffvAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85 / E8519/30/23 mpg$2,900389
Charger5.7L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DriveMidgrade16/25/19 mpg$4,000466
Charger6.4L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/25/18 mpg$4,550486
Charger AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 8-spdAll-Wheel DriveRegular18/27/21 mpg$3,200415
Charger AWD3.6L 6-cyl ffvAutomatic 8-spdAll-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85 / E8518/27/21 mpg$3,200415
Charger SRT86.2L 8-cyl superchargedAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium13/22/16 mpg$5,150546
Charger SRT86.4L 8-cylAutomatic 8-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium15/25/18 mpg$4,550486

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 Dodge Charger crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 Dodge Charger NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 Dodge Charger 4 DR AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%Optional
2016 Dodge Charger 4 DR RWD5 stars4 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%Optional
2016 Dodge Charger SRT 4 DR RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 Dodge Charger owner complaints

Owners have filed 182 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Dodge Charger, most recently on May 16, 2026. 7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 15 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 Dodge Charger complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Structure: Body42
Unknown or other32
Engine25
Fuel/propulsion system25
Power train24
Electrical system23
Steering16
Air bags9
Service brakes8
Exterior lighting7

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Dodge Charger model years

Dodge Charger by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Charger75–86 MPGe10—
2026 Charger19–20 mpg · 72–95 MPGe15—
2025 Charger70–98 MPGe339—
2024 Charger70–98 MPGe324—
2023 Charger15–23 mpg2265/5
2022 Charger15–23 mpg3165/5
2021 Charger15–23 mpg2355/5
2020 Charger15–23 mpg3585/5
2019 Charger16–23 mpg51205/5
2018 Charger16–23 mpg61225/5
2017 Charger16–23 mpg41285/5
2015 Charger16–23 mpg7136—

All Dodge Charger years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 Dodge models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Dodge.