Just purchased a brand new 2016 Challenger RT Plus. During the test drive I noticed some harsh downshifting and a lurch forward when coming to a stop. The dealership assured me that was normal and once the vehicle "learned" my driving style, those issues would be gone....Probably within just a few hours/miles of driving. It's been a week and over 300 miles, and there is still harsh downshifting and clunks heard when downshifting for a stop. There occasionally is hesitant acceleration also. Problems you would not expect for a brand new $47,000 vehicle.

Currently, I own a 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Plus purchased early April 2016 from a licensed CDJR Dealer. Within the first week I started noticing a drum/knock like noise coming from the rear of the car. This noise is heard between 5-35mph after stepping off the gas or the brake pedal(s) and intermittently while coasting; this lasts the duration of the drive occurring without fail regardless of engine temp, duration of trip or weather conditions.

Quick sidebar; prior to this, I purchased a new 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T (6-Speed Manual, Tremec Transmission) in late February 2015, from a licensed CDJR Dealer. Just like my current vehicle, I loved everything about it.. However, around the 1K mile mark, I started noticing some minor difficulties shifting between gears 1-4 accompanied by a distinct noise coming from the front, mid and rear section of the undercarriage varying in intensity throughout each drive.

Chalking this up to the "new vehicle adjustment period" process as noted by the dealer, I dismissed it until it started getting noticeably worse, specifically when shifting from 1st to 2nd and clutch pedal to the floor it wouldn't engage unless I dropped it into 3rd gear then downshifted into second gear. I expressed my concerns during the 5,000 mile service (no road test) and was told those noises were normal. In October, after reaching the 7,500 mile mark, I checked it into the dealer.

Four months and five loaner cars later, the official diagnosis was labeled factory error involving faulty lifters, misaligned transmission components, mounting, clutch assembly .. Essentially the transmission build as a whole.

On that note, I must extend my deep gratitude and respect for the Chrysler Corporation for how they approached the matter at both the dealer and manufacturer levels; being new to handling a situation of that nature I was relieved to be met with cooperative and efficient personnel whom actually approached me about the situation leading to a fair and peaceful resolution.

Following the resolution of my 2015 Challenger in early March 2016 I decided to give the 2016 Challenger a chance upgrading to the Plus version and an automatic transmission which brings me to present day as I'm awaiting the diagnosis and what I can only hope will be a quick and final resolution to this issue.

The car is brand new, with only 400 miles on it. From the moment I drove it off the lot, the transmission had very harsh downshifts, especially in the lower gears when trying to coast to a stop. The transmission is set up from the factory to downshift and engine brake, but it stays engaged WAY too long. As a result, you get a binding surge when trying to coast or even light brake to a stop. Then the transmission realizes it's bogging down and free-wheels in neutral, which causes you to lurch forward. All of this is accompanied by a "clunk" coming from the rear end. The issue hasn't been fixed yet, though I plan to take the car to the dealership soon. Likely a transmission update for the downshifting issue, but the clunking sound is probably a slip-joint that wasn't properly greased from the factory.