DodgeChallenger20163.6L/dodge/challenger/2016/3-6l/
LA platform

2016 Dodge Challenger — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Challenger 3.6L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 8-spd

The 2016 Dodge Challenger 3.6L is a passenger car riding on the LA platform, powered by a 3.6-liter engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated at 19 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Within the model's 2008-2023 complaint history, the 2016 model year accumulated 78 owner complaints, a figure well below the 2010 peak of 298 yet considerably higher than the 2022 low of 9. Powertrain issues ranked as the top complaint area, and two recalls were issued for this model year. That positioning places the 2016 Challenger in a moderate spot within the nameplate's reliability arc, meaning it sidestepped the most troubled years but still carries enough documented powertrain concern and recall activity to merit careful review.

Model year201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy19/30/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04884899AC. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size275/40R20OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04884899AC alt 04892339BE
Engine air filter04861746AB alt 68172459AA
Spark plugSP149212AC alt SP143877AB
BatteryBBH7F001AA
Front wiper blades68015148AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 05184894AA
Cabin air filter68535614AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 8-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase116.1 in
Curb weight4169 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 30 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2016 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

6.0–6.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2015 SXT Plus Coupe
305 hpHorsepower (as tested)
268 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015SXT Plus Coupe 3.6L V66.00 sec14.50 sec305 hpRWD
2015SXT Plus Coupe 3.6L V66.20 sec14.70 sec305 hpRWD
2017GT Coupe 3.6L V66.30 sec14.80 sec305 hpAWD
2011SE Coupe 3.6L V66.40 sec14.90 sec305 hpRWD
2011SE Coupe 3.6L V66.40 sec14.80 sec305 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Synthetic · SAE 75W85 · API · GL-5 · SAE 75W85 · SAE 75W85 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W85 · API · GL-5 · SAE 75W85 · SAE 75W85
Differential Gear Oil Capacity195 Rear Axle
Engine CoolantMS-12106
Engine Coolant Capacity11.1 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission72.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing BoltsINSTALL A NEW HUB NUT. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6,000-9,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar
Spark Plug Gap.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMopar

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58+/-5 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56-60 psi
Engine Compression100 min psi
Engine CompressionAll gasoline 100 psi / Max Variation 1 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 44; Rear: 43 /; Front: 44; Rear: 23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 121; Rear: 98 /; Front: 98; Rear: 81
ABS Sensor Torque8.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.040; Rear: 17; Rear: 18
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0004
Maximum Rotor Runout.0014 When measured on vehicle

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., step 2: 10530 ft. lbs

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal record, complaints for the Dodge Challenger rose sharply from 2008 to a peak of 298 in 2010, then began a gradual decline. By 2015 the figure had fallen to 126 complaints with six recalls and two investigations, and in 2016 it dropped further to 78 complaints, two recalls and one investigation. The 2016 totals sit below the 2015 levels but above the subsequent lows of 2017‑2022, where complaints ranged from 9 to 49. Recall activity followed a similar pattern, decreasing from six in 2015 to two in 2016 and remaining low in the following years (two to four recalls per year). Consequently, the 2016 model year reflects a period of improving reliability relative to earlier generations, making it a solid choice among used Challengers, though later years show even fewer reported issues.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
278
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
78
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 78 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train10
Engine9
Unknown Or Other8
Electrical System7
Air Bags6
Steering4
Exterior Lighting3
Wheels3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E053000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 12/07/2018

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… 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…

18V332000Electrical System:WiringReported 17/05/2018

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 278 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S2621000003 REV.A2026-03-09Power TrainThe vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the…
S26080000102026-03-05Electrical SystemActive Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) B1A10-00, B1A11-00, B1A12- 00, B1A13-00-, B1A14-00…
1084632025-11-18Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
1084642025-11-17Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
31-001-25 REV. B2025-08-16StructureAluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair Aluminum corrosion or bubbling along the leading…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Challenger. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Challenger have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 30 highway / 23 combined mpg.