KnownCarProblems2016 Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,551 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 1500, most often about the engine (23% of complaints, typically around 65,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 1500 model year since 2000 and has 16 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ram 1500 problems
Engine
353 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 70 MPH, the service electronic control indicator illuminated and the vehicle would inadvertently decelerate. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the engine; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (tate dodge…
When starting my vehicle I noticed a ticking sound. After idling a couple minutes the ticking would get quieter. Recently I can still hear the ticking while driving. I've heard it could be the manifold bolts getting sheered off or it can be the purge solenoid. To me it sounds like a lifter ticking.
Steering
312 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, rack and pinion.
As I was turning onto the road to my house I heard screeching as my steering locked up and I couldn't turn my vehicle anymore. A light flashed indicating 'service power steering'. My vehicle has been brought to a local mechanic shop as well as the dealer and both informed me the same thing. My eps (electronic power…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing, the power steering seized and the vehicle failed to turn. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the an unspecified circuit board was not…
Brakes
281 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal became difficult to depress when attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The electronic stability control warning indicator and the brake light…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, emergency brakes, and check engine warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly switched to limp mode and failed to properly accelerate while depressing the…
Fuel system
281 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel filter.
Another Ram ecodiesel post-aem safety concern. Did the aem recall and instantly became a safety hazard in traffic. Extreme throttle lag of 4+ seconds, even if flooring it. Too many close calls to list myself and I don't let me wife drive unless absolutely necessary (it was supposed to be her truck!!). Recall may be…
I bought my truck on the 25th at 6pm. And at 7p on the 26th it had caught fire on the highway and burnt ro the ground with me and my pregnant wife in the truck. I heard ticking coming from the motor followed by a loud pop and then lost all power no gas response and coasted to breakdown lane just barley got mi wife out…
Transmission
202 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. When the contact placed the vehicle in park, it reversed independently and struck a pole without warning. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven home. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure…
The contact rented a 2016 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was parked, the gear shifted out of park and into drive inadvertently. As a result, the contact jumped in the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…
Electrical
192 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 32,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, software, 12v/24v/48v battery, integrated trailer brake control.
The original problem happened earlier in january of 2019. I opened my vehicle and upon starting it, I began to put my seat belt on I noticed the tension on the belt was non existent. In fact I had to "help" the belt back down into the pulley. It has not worked since. Shortly afterwards my air bag light came on on my…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. Every time the vehicle came to a complete stop, the contact would depress the brake pedal and the check electric control warning indicator illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to lose power. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and back on in order for the vehicle to resume…
Other or unspecified
126 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles.
When the vehicle is started and put in drive, the screen displays a note saying vehicle not in park! And will not do anything unless I put it back in park, turn off the vehicle , wait a couple of seconds and retry
Vehicle completely died in the intersection right after taking off from the stoplight. Could not remove key and it will not shift into park. The consumer stated vehicle was repaired, a loose battery terminal was the problem.
Speed control
111 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, throttle.
Ram ecodiesel recall. My post aem emissions flash has created a significantly impaired vehicle with unpredicatable acccelleration and engine response. I am the original owner and the vehicle became imparied after the epa/doj forced recall for emmissions control tampering. This update has put my family is several…
I had my vehicle in to the dealer for an oil change and was told there were some recalls. Long story short is the "recall" was a software update to fix emissions issues. After the recall work the engine performance in dangerously bad. There is a delay in acceleration that is going to get someone killed. I don't drive…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ram 1500 recalls
Air bags: inflator
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 13, 2025. Owners may contact fca customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca's numbers for this recall are 05c, 09c, and 10c.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed august 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed october 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated july 2024. Owners may contact fca US, llc customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US, llc's number for this recall is 66a. This recall is an expansion of recall 20v-475.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hpfp, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed july 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for jeep grand cherokee owners starting january 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for ram 1500 owners were mailed march 7, 2024. Owners may contact fca US, llc customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US, lls's number for this recall is z46.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the sabic assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on october 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on may 26, 2022. Owners may contact fca US, llc customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US, llc's number for this recall is y55.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: diesel
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Fca US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on may 13, 2021. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. Fca US's number for this recall is w58.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began april 16, 2020. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is vb1.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began may 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on october 18, 2019. Owners may contact fca US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US's number for this recall is v44. Note: 2015-2017 my ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18v-486 for this issue.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began september 17, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u74.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: column shift
Risk: 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.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the btsi, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began february 26, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t79.
Full defect summary
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 pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Air bags: curtain
Risk: If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the orc software, free of charge. The recall began june 26, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t25.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 ram 1500, ram 2500, and 2014-2016 ram 3500 vehicles. Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the occupant restraint controller (orc). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying.
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge. The recall began april 24, 2017. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is t20.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2016-2017 ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s32.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2016 ram 1500 trucks manufactured february 19, 2016, to march 3, 2016. The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fracture without warning.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the eps unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on may 16, 2016. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is s19.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 ram 1500 trucks manufactured january 22, 2015, to september 13, 2015. Contamination on the electric power steering (eps) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist.
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk: Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire. When used, the damaged tire may have a tread separation or side wall rupture, resulting in a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a spare tire heat shield if the vehicle is missing one. Vehicles that have already been sold with an excess of 50 miles will also have their spare tires replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on december 2, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r58.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2016 ram 1500 trucks with a 5.7l engine and dual exhaust manufactured august 3, 2015, to august 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing a heat shield for the spare tire.
Transmission: axle shaft
Risk: If the rear axle shaft was not properly heated treated, it may fracture and a wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the axle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on november 23, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r59.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 ram 1500 trucks manufactured june 17, 2015, to september 28, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Post recall remedy brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 14 vehicle owner questionnaire (voq) reports and 6 ewr death & injury (d&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (btsi) system in certain model year (my) 2013-2018 ram pickup trucks.the subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.the failures of the btsi described in the voqs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17v-821 or 18v-100.both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the btsi locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of park without
Intermittent/comp loss of power steering
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 ram 1500.the failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver.on march 23, 2016 fiat chrysler automotive (fca) conducted recall campaign 16v-167 to address a possible contamination of the electrical power steering unit in certain model year 2015-2016 ram 1500. The recall involved 440 vehicles and potentially resulted in loss of power steering assist.consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall.a recall query has been op
High pressure fuel pump failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe21-021 on october 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (my) 2019-2020 ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7l cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, odi sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both fca and bmw, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by fca and bmw.during the investigation fca filed rec
Vehicle rollaway
Summary
Basis â on december 16, 2016, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents.â these complaints involved multiple fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design. â of the 43 consumer complaints, 25 complaints alleged crashes, and eight complaints alleged at least one injury. Subject vehicles â when NHTSA opened the investigation, the subject vehicles were model year (my) 2013-2016 ram 1500 vehicles and my 2014-2016 dodge durango vehicles
Questions about the 2016 Ram 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (353 complaints, typically around 65,500 miles); steering (312 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); brakes (281 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 1500 have?
- 16 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 16, 2025 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Ram 1500?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about 1500 model year since 2000, with 1,551 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.