Buyer Research

2016 Dodge Challenger R/T — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $18,000–$26,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

The retro muscle cruiser — the Challenger R/T pairs a 5.7L HEMI with a big, comfortable, roomy coupe that's more grand tourer than corner-carver. Great highway car, real V8 character. The HEMI's cylinder-deactivation lifter tick is the key listen, and it drinks fuel. Buy a stock, un-abused one and enjoy a lot of V8 for the money.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 78 owner complaints for the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T, across 2 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the transmission and drivetrain at 21%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

HEMI MDS lifter / cam wear ("HEMI tick")High — wallet impact

Cylinder deactivation can wear lifters and the cam, causing a tick and misfire. Listen carefully at idle; the repair is major.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$4,000 if affected

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (12).

Electrical (TIPM / modules)Medium

The power module and electronics can throw odd faults; verify all functions.

Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (15).

Abuse / modification riskMedium

Many were driven hard; inspect for tunes, driveline wear, and accident history.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Fuel and tire costLow

Thirsty and eats rear tires if driven hard.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

8-speed automatic shifts harshly or hesitatesMedium

The ZF-based 8-speed automatic behind the 5.7L HEMI can bang into gear, hesitate from a stop, or shift erratically between 1st and 2nd. Chrysler issued multiple technical service bulletins for a transmission control module reflash to smooth this out, and this generation of 8-speed was the subject of a class-action lawsuit over harsh/erratic shifting. Most cases are fixed with the software update; a minority need a new valve body.

Repair cost (estimate): $150–$1,200

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (16).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Lifter tick / misfire
✗Signs of hard use or a tune
✗Random electrical faults
✗Worn/mismatched rear tires

Good Signs

✓Quiet HEMI, no tick
✓Stock, documented, adult-owned

Found a specific Dodge Challenger R/T?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.