2016 Dodge Charger maintenance schedule

The 2016 Charger is part of the LD generation (2011-2023), sold as a sedan. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Charger needs, and when

10 of these 11 items come from Dodge's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Dodge's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Or dictated by Oil Life Monitor

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Engine air filter

Replace filter

30,000 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Cabin air filter

Replace filter

20,000 mi / 2 yearsManufacturer
Tire rotation

Excludes staggered wheel setups

10,000 mi / 1 yearManufacturer
Brake fluid

Inspect/flush

2 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant150,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid (8-Speed)

Recommended replacement (fluid/pan filter)

60,000 mi / 8 yearsIndependent
Spark plugs

Dual plugs per cylinder on V8s

100,000 miManufacturer
Serpentine belt

Inspect and replace (approx. 100,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer
Differential and transfer case fluid

Police, Taxi, Fleet, or Severe Duty

40,000 miManufacturer
PCV valve

Inspect and replace (approx. 100,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them. Services we could not find an interval for are left off rather than guessed.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
5W-20 (3.6/5.7) / 0W-40 (6.4/6.2)
Coolant
OAT Purple (2013+) / HOAT (2011-2012)
Transmission fluid
Mopar ZF 8 Speed ATF / ATF+4 (5-Spd)

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (ERB), 296 hp, 5-Speed Auto / 8-Speed Auto, RWD / AWD
  • 5.7L 8-cyl (EZC), 370 hp, 5-Speed Auto / 8-Speed Auto, RWD / AWD
  • 6.4L 8-cyl (ESG), 485 hp, 5-Speed Auto / 8-Speed Auto, RWD
  • 6.2L Supercharged 8-cyl (ESD / ESJ), 757 hp, 8-Speed Auto, RWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Charger owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Oil Filter Housing Leak (Pentastar V6)

high severity

50,000-100,000 mi · $400-$800 to fix

Oil pooling in engine valley, burning oil smell, coolant mix

Source: au7o.io

HEMI Lifter / Camshaft Failure

high severity

70,000-120,000 mi · $3,000-$4,500 to fix

Misfire codes, loud rhythmic valvetrain ticking

Source: au7o.io

Electrical System Diagnosis

medium severity

40,000-90,000 mi · $122-$179 to fix

Check engine light, intermittent accessory failures

Source: repairpal.com

Interior Door Panel Warping

low severity

30,000-80,000 mi · $300-$600 to fix

Upper door trim separates and peels away near windows

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Dodge Charger

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Dodge dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Power train

NHTSA 18E053000

July 2018

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.

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.

Electrical system

NHTSA 18V332000

May 2018

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.

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.

Power train

NHTSA 18V281000

May 2018

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.

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.

December 2017

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

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.

Power train

NHTSA 17V097000

February 2017

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.

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.

January 2016

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.

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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$634

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Charger model years

Shopping new? The Dodge Charger guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Charger for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Charger earns before you buy it.

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