2016 Ram 1500 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2016 Ram 1500 problems

• Engine & cooling~66,000 miles
  35323%
• Steering~71,000 miles
  31420%
• Brakes~78,000 miles
  28218%
• Fuel & propulsion system~66,000 miles
  28118%
• Transmission & drivetrain~32,000 miles
  20213%
• Electrical system~33,000 miles
  19312%
• Other / not specified~27,000 miles
  1268%
• Speed control & acceleration~44,000 miles
  1117%
• Suspension~53,000 miles
  684%
• Air bags~34,000 miles
  493%
• Body & structure~39,000 miles
  362%
• Driver assistance~80,000 miles
  231%
• Wheels & tires~25,000 miles
  221%
• Lights~10,000 miles
  181%
• Seat belts~50,000 miles
  131%
• Locks & latches~54,000 miles
  111%
• Stability & traction control~72,000 miles
  81%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~32,000 miles
  60%
• Seats~19,000 miles
  20%
• Equipment & accessories
  20%

Share of the 1,554 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ram 1500 complaints by model year

Best 1500 years: 2024, 2013, 2023. Years to avoid: 2025, 2019, 2022, 2016. Compare all years →

2016 Ram 1500 recalls (16)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2016 Ram 1500:

What 2016 Ram 1500 owners say

Engine & cooling all 353 →

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle went into limp mode. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that a nearby driver honked the horn, and the contact was informed that fire was coming from underneath the front of the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The contact called the fire department. The contact had a fire extinguisher in the vehicle. The contact extinguished the fire prior to the fire department's arrival. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact discovered the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V757000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and the contact was informed that the recall was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle lost acceleration and there was smoke coming from the engine. The low oil pressure and service throttle control warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and when the hood was lifted the engine was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher at the scene. No fire department was contacted. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact was a certified mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle with ERG failure and a melted hole through the intake manifold. …

Steering all 314 →

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while in reverse (R) and moving at approximately 4 MPH, the steering wheel had frozen, and he was not able to turn the wheel. The contact stated that he had crashed into his other vehicle. The contact stated that the front end of the other vehicle was not damaged; however, the vehicle he was driving in had damage to the bumper and tailgate. The contact stated that the traction warning light had illuminated after the crash. The contact stated that his insurance company had the vehicle towed to a collision shop. The contact was advised by the collision shop that, before he could get the collision damage repaired, the power steering failure needed to be repaired. …

The contact owned a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact's husband stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became inoperable and the vehicle unexpectedly veered to the left with no warning lights illuminated. Due to the failure, the contact's husband collided with a car carrier vehicle. The contact's husband suffered multiple injuries and was transported to a local emergency room. The contact 's husband suffered injuries included a contusion to the nose, a head injury, broken ribs, and damage to his lower teeth. The contact's husband also had lower broken teeth that required surgical removal. The contact's husband stated that the airbags did deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene and deemed totaled by the towing company. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …

Brakes all 282 →

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the ABS, the traction control and the brakes warning lights had illuminated. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop upon depression of the brake pedal and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated before and after the crash. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle remained operable. No further information was available. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer due to the brake failure, and the contact was informed that there would be a charge for the diagnostic test; however, the contact declined to pay the fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that there was an active recall for brake failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact was driving at approximately 60 MPH, the contact stated he saw white smoke and thought it was his exhaust and another driver notified that the tire was on fire. The contact stated he had to drive the vehicle into a snow bank to stop the fire. The contact stated the fire started in the wheel compartment. The contact stated the ABS sensor illuminated the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed as the half shaft being fractured and the wheel bearing breaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number, however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer stated that due to the recall remedy not being performed on the vehicle they were not going to repair her vehicle. …

2016 Ram 1500 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.