2016 Dodge Charger R/T — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $16,000–$24,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
A four-door muscle car — the 5.7L HEMI V8 makes a proper 370 hp and a proper noise, in a roomy rear-drive body. Great cruiser, real straight-line pace. The HEMI's cylinder-deactivation lifter tick is the thing to listen for, and it drinks fuel. Buy a maintained, un-abused one and enjoy a lot of V8 sedan for the money.
What we checked
Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11
NHTSA holds 182 owner complaints for the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T, across 6 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 body and structure at 29%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.
6 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.
Not written up yet: the body and structure (53 complaints). That group is in the public record and is not covered by the issues below. Treat it as something to ask about, not as absent.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2016 Dodge Charger R/T
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
The cylinder-deactivation system can wear lifters and the cam, causing a tick and eventual misfire. Listen carefully at idle; a repair is a big job.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$4,000 if affected
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (28).
The power module and electronics can throw odd faults; verify everything works.
Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,000
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (25).
It drinks fuel and eats rear tires, especially if driven hard.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the fuel system (26).
Many were driven hard or modified; inspect for tune, clutch/driveline wear, and accident history.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (25).
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Lifter tick or misfire
- ✗Signs of hard use, burnouts, or a tune
- ✗Random electrical faults
- ✗Mismatched or worn rear tires
Good Signs
- ✓Quiet HEMI, no tick
- ✓Documented service, stock condition
Found a specific Dodge Charger R/T?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Dodge Charger 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.
Get My Verdict — $7.99No account required. Delivered to your inbox, usually within minutes.
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.
More from Dodge
Similar cars & sedans
No bullshit, no upsells, no affiliate links. One report, one price — we'll never charge you rent for your own thinking.
Think we got something wrong? Tell us — a real person reads every message.