What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 RAM 1500

Typical pattern

3.1% of complaints about the 2016 RAM 1500 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (309 complaints), typically at 8.3 yr or about 70,667 miles.

Complaints
2,101
Median age at failure
6.6 yr
Median mileage
50,000 n=1006
Crash / fire / tow
12.3% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
309 reports · 70,667 mi
8.3 yr
5.8%
Engine
289 reports · 60,000 mi
4.5 yr
12.8%
Service brakes
242 reports · 30,300 mi
8.9 yr
5.4%
Power train
201 reports · 32,000 mi
3.8 yr
22.4%
Electrical system
190 reports · 33,332 mi
6.4 yr
9.5%
Fuel / propulsion
187 reports · 52,000 mi
5.4 yr
4.3%
Other
126 reports · 27,413 mi
4.3 yr
16.7%
Speed control
111 reports · 44,000 mi
5.8 yr
6.3%
Fuel system, diesel
80 reports · 112,000 mi
7.7 yr
18.8%
Suspension
68 reports · 50,000 mi
6.6 yr
4.4%
Engine cooling
62 reports · 100,000 mi
7.2 yr
27.4%
Air bags
46 reports · 33,980 mi
4.8 yr
65.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

25V010000 2025-01-16
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.

23V411000 2023-06-08
Engine cooling

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

22V406000 2022-06-09
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

21V632000 2021-08-12
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

20V475000 2020-08-13
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

19V757000 2019-10-24
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

19V347000 2019-05-09
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

18V486000 2018-07-27
Structure:body:tailgate

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

18V332000 2018-05-17
Electrical system:wiring

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 with

If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

17V821000 2017-12-20
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake ped

Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

In owners’ own words

Other 17 mi 5 mo in service
PURCHASED VEHICLE FOLLOWING DAY I LOOK UNDER TRUCK AND NOTICE LOTS OF CORROSION THROUGHOUT DRIVE TRAIN. I TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT MONDAY 3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT TRUCK AND DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT FIX AND ITEMS. MY CONCERN IS CORROSION WILL LEAD TO COMPONENT FAILURE OVER TIME.
Other 7,000 mi 1.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
HAD JUST BACKED VEHICLE OUT FROM UNDERNEATH CARPORT AT MY HOME, LEFT IN DRIVEWAY, TURNED OFF IGNITION (IT WAS STATIONARY), AND WENT INSIDE MY HOME. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPLODING AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE BURNT UP COMPLETELY, IT IS A TOTAL LOSS!!!
Other mileage not reported 1.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TOWED TO THE JUNK YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/26/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE THE FIRE WAS WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED IT. UPDATED 7/10/18*JB *TR
Service brakes 450 mi 6 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450.

Other 1500 model years

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013

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