Engine & powertrain16 complaints tagged to POWER TRAIN
USED-CAR BUYER MODE · RISK RADAR2016 Dodge Challenger
2016 Dodge Challenger
reported issues, recalls & what to inspect
This report uses official federal safety records plus VeroRoad’s vehicle × tool evidence. It is a screening tool, not a reliability grade or prediction that your specific car will fail.
78 unique complaint records2 recall campaigns returned0 complaint rows with usable mileage10 local vehicle/tool evidence rows
NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted allegations, not verified failures. Raw complaint totals are not failure rates because vehicle sales/exposure are not normalized here. A recall is an official safety campaign, but your VIN may or may not be included.
REPORTED-ISSUE RADAR
Which systems appear most often in the complaint record?
Use this to prioritize inspection effort, not to label the vehicle “good” or “bad.”
10 crash-tagged2 fire-tagged10 reported injuries0 reported deaths
Electrical & 12V system15 complaints tagged to ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Engine & powertrain12 complaints tagged to ENGINE
SRS & restraints11 complaints tagged to AIR BAGS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11 complaints tagged to UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Steering9 complaints tagged to STEERING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6 complaints tagged to EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Suspension & chassis6 complaints tagged to SUSPENSION
MILEAGE TIMELINE
Where were mileage-at-failure values reported?
NHTSA did not return enough usable mileage values for a timeline.
SAFETY RECALLS
Decode VIN first →Official campaigns returned for this model-year query
Open the exact VIN before purchase to determine whether a campaign applies and whether the remedy was completed.
18E053000POWER 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Reported 12/07/2018 · Verify exact VIN applicability.18V332000ELECTRICAL 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Reported 17/05/2018 · Verify exact VIN applicability.PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTOR
What I would inspect before money changes hands
The highest reported component groups are converted into inspection tasks. They are not diagnoses.
Engine & powertrain
16 owner complaints in the leading component signal intersect this system.
- Cold-start behavior and idle quality
- Acceleration under light and moderate load
- Current, pending and permanent DTCs
- Freeze-frame and fuel/engine live data where available
Electrical & 12V system
15 owner complaints in the leading component signal intersect this system.
- 12V resting and charging voltage
- Module communication scan
- Battery age and terminal condition
- Unexpected warning lights or intermittent electrical behavior
SRS & restraints
11 owner complaints in the leading component signal intersect this system.
- SRS warning lamp self-test
- SRS module codes
- Seat-belt latch/retractor operation
- Recall completion for restraint campaigns
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 owner complaints in the leading component signal intersect this system.
- Inspect the affected system carefully
- Scan all modules before clearing codes
- Review service history and previous repair records
Steering
9 owner complaints in the leading component signal intersect this system.
- Steering warning lights
- Straight-line tracking and steering effort
- Steering-angle data/calibration if relevant
- Noise or binding during lock-to-lock movement
SCAN INTEGRITY CHECK
Make it harder for a recently cleared warning light to fool you.
A clean dashboard is not the same as a clean scan. Readiness monitors, pending codes and permanent codes provide useful context during a pre-purchase inspection.
- Run a full-system scan before clearing anything
- Read current, pending and permanent powertrain codes
- Check readiness monitors; multiple “Not Ready” monitors can be consistent with a recently cleared ECU or disconnected battery
- Save freeze-frame data for any stored emissions/powertrain fault
- Scan ABS, SRS, transmission and body modules when the tool supports them
- Check 12V battery / charging condition because low voltage can create misleading module faults
TSBs & MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS
Look beyond recalls.
Manufacturers submit service bulletins, warranty extensions, repair instructions and other communications to NHTSA. These documents can reveal service procedures and known conditions that are not necessarily safety recalls.
SCANNER × VEHICLE EVIDENCE
Run the full vehicle finder →Tools that intersect this inspection path
These recommendations use VeroRoad’s existing exact vehicle/function evidence. Fit comes before price.
0 stronger-evidence functions · 48/100 avg
TOPDON ArtiDiag900 Lite
Intersects 7 functions used in this inspection path.
0 stronger-evidence functions · 48/100 avg
TOPDON TopScan Lite
Intersects 7 functions used in this inspection path.
0 stronger-evidence functions · 48/100 avg
TOPDON TopScan Pro
Intersects 7 functions used in this inspection path.
0 stronger-evidence functions · 48/100 avg
Autel MaxiCOM MK900-BT
Intersects 6 functions used in this inspection path.
INSPECTION KIT
Useful supporting equipment
A scanner cannot replace physical inspection and measurement. These tools cover common gaps.
Battery & resistance testerTOPDON BT600 Plus
Professional battery and resistance testing with sequence testing for higher-volume work.
Check price on Amazon →Professional handheld thermal cameraTOPDON TC005
Useful for locating abnormal heat in electrical, mechanical and EV-related troubleshooting without assuming it is mandatory for every job.
Check price on Amazon →Multimeter/current-clamp accessory kitAutel MaxiBAS BTAK
Adds multimeter and current-clamp measurements for deeper electrical troubleshooting when paired with supported MaxiBAS tools.
Check price on Amazon →TPMS diagnostic/programming tabletAutel MaxiTPMS TS900
Dedicated TPMS workflow plus diagnostics and service functions; strong fit when TPMS is a frequent shop job.
Check price on Amazon →COMPARE NEARBY MODEL YEARS
Dodge Challenger Risk Radar by year
SOURCE TRANSPARENCY
Where these signals come from
Federal data are fetched from NHTSA’s public APIs. VeroRoad aggregates the records into screening signals and keeps complaints separate from confirmed recalls.