KnownCarProblems2016 Ram 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 258 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 2500, most often about the transmission (25% of complaints, typically around 25,500 miles). It is 4th of 15 2500 model years by number of complaints and has 12 recalls.
Most common 2016 Ram 2500 problems
Transmission
64 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. While attempting to drive the vehicle, the gear shift failed to shift out of park. The contact powered off and restarted the vehicle, and was able to shift gears. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Dead pedal , if I start accelerating from a stop and notice I cannot make it, let off the gas and reapply, there is a long delay for acceleration. I have almost been hit a number of times and now worried to cut into traffic. Excessive lag time when AC is on. Takes longer to get power.
Engine
56 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
Driving on interstate 10 in traffic I went to accelerate to change lanes and my 2016 2500 the engine made a loud pop and lost all engine power. And didn't regain engine power for 3 seconds. It has done it several time since. It is a very scary feeling when your driving in heavy traffic. I do not get any codes or…
Dead accelerator pedal. If driving with steady pedal and let up on accelerator pedal and then step back on the accurate, the truck doesn't move/no response for 5-10 seconds, then the truck speeds off. Happens numerous times. Also if at a stop and need to have full power to get across a 4 lane highway/or make a rapid…
Steering
43 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
I would like to add my vehicle to the list of ones with the steering linkage issue. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 diesel and after I purchased the truck used with 34000 miles the steering felt loose so I crawled under it and quickly found the. Coupling for straightening the steering wheel was loose and the back up nuts was…
Steering drag link. Fca safety recall their fix was to weld the adjusters now steering alignment cannot be corrected unless fca cuts an rewelds. They were supposed to replace with new design drag link which the 2019 hd trucks now have! Cannot properly align truck pulling with tire wear.
Electrical
38 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
When driving at low speeds the vehicle suddenly dies and the instrument panel goes completely out, all electrical goes out, except for the radio panel, but no speaker sound. When trying to start the vehicle, even with removing the key, the instrument panel remains out, radio panel still on with no sound. After about…
T79/NHTSA 17-821 recall.. Just wondering if and when the fix may happen? It has hampered my chance of selling it due to the open recall and the fact of no giving date as to when it would be fixed, dealer will not buy it ( the one who would, would only give a small percent of it value) and a buyer backed out cause of…
Brakes
35 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. While driving at unknown speeds, the brake pedal was applied, but failed to respond. The contact received only eight volt braking power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (spitzer chrysler dodge jeep Ram of homestead (30101 s dixie hwy, homestead, fl 33033) where it was…
Brake line from master cylinder ruptured due to chafing against plastic ABS box under the hood causing massive loss of brake fluid and a loss in braking effectiveness. It was discovered after pulling over to investigate the brakes sponginess and lack of stopping power.
Other or unspecified
33 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles.
Pulled out of a side road making a left onto main roadway (roadway was damp after a rain storm) traction control light flashed and throttle pedal became inoperative. I received a service electric throttle message on the dash. I was without any throttle control for about two minutes and in that time was almost rear…
I have tried many times to get these numerous safety recall complied with and get no follow up from my local dealer! I took it in for a scheduled appointment and was told parts were on order. It's been far to long, I have checked in numerous times and get no help. Please find a place that can make my vehicle safe or…
Speed control
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 11,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
Electronic throttle control light flashes and all throttle control is lost. This problem has happened on startup as well as when driving down the road. Vehicle has been back to dealer and (repaired?) four times for the same problem in less than two months. Only 11,000 miles on truck.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v821000 (power train) and 18v486000 (structure, latches/locks/linkages). The contact called glendenning motor company at [phone] (located at 1100 e south st, mt ayr, ia 50854) and was informed that the parts were not…
Body and structure
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The tailgate on my 2016 Ram 2500 power wagon has fallen open three seperate times in the past month. After the first incident, I made sure it was fully shut by pulling/tugging on the tailgate. All three incidents occured immediately after entering the truck and while accelerating. The truck was moving just under 30mph.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v821000 (power train) and 18v486000 (structure, latches/locks/linkages). The contact called glendenning motor company at [phone] (located at 1100 e south st, mt ayr, ia 50854) and was informed that the parts were not…
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 2500 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.
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.
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.
Steering: connection
Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began march 22, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v06.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2013-2018 ram 3500 and 2014-2018 ram 3500 chassis cab and ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.
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.
Equipment
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began february 14, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is t82.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling various dodge, chrysler, and ram vehicles equipped with kidde plastic-handle or push button 'pindicator' fire extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2017/rmisc-17v824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2017/rmisc-17e062-5427.pdf
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.
Engine: diesel
Risk: The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, 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 t51.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2013-2017 ram 2500, 3500, 3500 cab chassis, 4500 cab chassis, and 5500 cab chassis vehicles, equipped with cummins 6.7l turbo diesel engines that have concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Aev will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2017. Owners may contact aev customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
Full defect summary
Streetcar orv llc, dba american expedition vehicles (aev) is recalling certain 2013-2017 ram 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by aev to be equipped with cast aluminum katla 8.5" road wheels. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss.
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.
Electrical: module
Risk: An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on december 21, 2015. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is r52.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain model year 2016 ram 2500, 3500, 3500 cab chassis and 4500/5500 cab chassis trucks manufactured july 31, 2015, to august 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7l cummins diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
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
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
On december 17, 2018, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation pe18016 to investigate alleged drag link failures in the steering system on model year (my) 2015 and 2016 ram 2500 trucks manufactured by fca US, llc (fca). â the drag link failures were found to be due to a safety defect with the steering linkage where the drag link adjustable connector (used to adjust the steering system), held in position by two opposing jam nuts, can loosen.â â the loosening of this part can lead to wear and deterioration of the threads and eventual separation of the drag link, causing loss of steering.â during the course of pe18016, it was found that two styles of drag link
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Summary
On december 17, 2018, NHTSA's office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 18-016 to investigate the steering system on model year (my) 2015 and 2016 ram 2500 manufactured by fca US, llc (fca). Four complaints were received alleging separation of the drag link, a steering linkage that connects between the right front steering knuckle and the pitman arm on the steering box output shaft. The failures were found to be at a threaded coupler within the drag link used for adjusting the length of the linkage during routine maintenance (alignment) of the steering system.once separation occurs, turning the steering wheel has no effect, and there is no way for the driver to
Questions about the 2016 Ram 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (64 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles); engine (56 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); steering (43 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 2500 have?
- 12 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 2500?
- It is 4th of 15 2500 model years by number of complaints, with 258 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.