RoadVitals

2016 Dodge Challenger Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Apr 27, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 78 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Dodge Challenger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed Apr 27, 2026

Good morning my (eps) Electronic steering system isn't working I have the light on my dashboard and while driving it went on and couldn't steer it needs force to turn and its difficult to keep it straight this is the second time im replacing this part last time I had this same problem was 2 yrs ago and I've noticed online people having the same issue with not only challengers but other dodge vehicles that use the Electronic steering system that fails while the car is in motion very dangerous if your driving on the freeway. I seen there was a recall for this but on certain cars but I don't understand why only certain cars this isn't supposed to happen so often and having to be paid off by the owner this is a malfunction or electrical connection thats causing the motor to stop working.

NHTSA ID
11734016
Incident
Apr 21, 2026
Steering
Filed Jul 12, 2025

When making a sharp turn where you need to turn the wheel fully to the left or right, the car steering would lock up and a power steering indicator light would appear on the dashboard. I would have to shut the vehicle off and restart it for the light to turn off and resume steering functionality. The car was inspected by the dealership and the indicated that it showed the error code happened one time, however we recently purchased the vehicle with 19,000 miles, so not sure if the happened before we purchased the car and the used car dealer reset the codes. This issue has happened many times over the last 3 months.

NHTSA ID
11673009
Incident
May 9, 2025
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 30, 2025

My 2016 Dodge Challenger has less then 38,000 miles. I don’t even drive it in the rain to keep it spotless. I have taken great care of it. It started making a knocking noise from underneath the car. Took it to the dodge dealership & found out the drive shaft is bad.If you google 2016 Dodge challenger sxt drive shaft issue you will see that this is a nation wide problem starting from 2015 to 2018. I think Dodge should be responsible for fixing this issue. Its not right,

NHTSA ID
11664047
Incident
May 16, 2025
Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Dodge Challenger. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the "Power Steering" warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. During the failure, the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was self-corrected, and vehicle operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ID
11627298
Incident
Nov 25, 2024
Mileage
102,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2024

I had a recall fixed at dodge for PCM since then service power steering comes on and the steering wheel locks up sometimes I'm driving and it seizes up it started at 37000 miles And when my extended warranty was up 3yr manufacture 6 yr extended warranty but since we purchased it in the beginning the warranty overlapped not fair since I should have had 9 yrs now I can't even drive my car more than 15minutes also it's very dangerous that I can be driving and all of a sudden can't turn the steering.

NHTSA ID
11607381
Incident
Mar 1, 2023
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 12, 2022

I was driving on the interstate and the ACC/FCW light came on.Then soon after The ABS light came on then the power steering system failed causing the steering wheel to lock while I was driving.I turned my car off in the emergency lane and restarted the car.All of them light when off but then the airbag warning light came on.

NHTSA ID
11497133
Incident
Dec 8, 2022
Steering
Filed Aug 5, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO EL CAJON FORD (1595 EAST MAIN STREET, EL CAJON, CA 92021, (619) 312-4107) WHERE THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE CLEANED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARL BURGER DODGE (8355 HERCULES STREET, LA MESA, CA 91942, (619) 463-9321) WHERE IT WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER DUPLICATED THE CREAKING NOISE AND DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BUSHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ID
11241857
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
31,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jul 12, 2017

LOST POWER STEERING, LOST STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS BRAKES DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 695. SYSTEMS CYCLED ON AND OFF EVENTUALLY REMAINED OFF. CAR DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11004713
Incident
Jun 26, 2017
Mileage
7,500 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSteering
Filed Oct 16, 2016

MY 17 YEAR OLD SON'S 2016 DODGE CHALLENGER TURNS OFF WHILE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. THE IGNITION SWITCH USUALLY GOES TO ACC (SOMETIMES RUN). ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, BRAKING IS DIFFICULT, HEATING/COOLING TURN OFF, AND ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL THE AIRBAGS BECOME INACTIVE IN ACC. MY SON HAS NEARLY HIT A TREE AND HE HAS CROSSED LANES INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING AT ABOUT 2500 MILES 04/2016. IT HAS HAPPENED FROM10 MPH TO 70 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED 15 OR MORE TIMES AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN OVER 20 MILES, PARKED, AND THEN DRIVEN AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED ON ALL TYPES OF ROAD--RESIDENTIAL, CITY AND HIGHWAY. IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE BEING DRIVEN STRAIGHT AND WHEN TURNING, ON LEVEL ROADS AND UP HILLS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CONTACTED CHRYSLER DETROIT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEY INSTALLED A SPECIAL DATA COLLECTING SWITCH WHICH WE MANUALLY ACTIVATED WHEN THE CAR STALLED. THE DATA WAS FORWARDED TO DETROIT FOR ANALYSIS. I HAVE ATTACHED SERVICE RECORDS. WE HAVE SUPPLIED PHOTOS OF THE INSTRUMENTATION AFTER THE CAR TURNS OFF. MY SON STARTED DRIVING WITH ONE HAND ON HIS IPHONE MAKING A VIDEO RECORDING OF THE CAR STALLING IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2016. THE VIDEO RECORDING IS ON YOUTUBE AT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SE5TAGU6MY8&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE ON OCTOBER 7, 2016, I MET AT OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER, SERVICE MANAGER, AND HEAD MECHANIC TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS AND TO REVIEW THE VIDEO. THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE CAR AND HAD TO RELY ON CHRYSLER. THE NEW VIDEO WAS FORWARDED TO CHRYSLER AND A MASTER MECHANIC WAS TO REVIEW IT BUT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. FURTHER, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10916381
Incident
Apr 16, 2016
Mileage
2,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .