Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ram 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, the steering became inoperable. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into the curb, and the passenger side tire popped. The driver continued to drive and parked. The contact changed the tire, and upon starting the vehicle, the tire and traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact noticed the passenger side fender and rim were scraped from the cement. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). There were no reported injuries, airbag deployment, or police report filed. The contact called the local dealer, who scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS, the electronic brake, and the trailer brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the traction control service message was displayed. Additionally, the electronic parking brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where a reconfiguration of the vehicle was performed; however, the failure recurred while the contact was driving off the dealer's parking lot. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal pulsated while being depressed. The ABS warning light illuminated, along with several other warning lights. The contact turned off the vehicle and opened the doors. After waiting for several minutes, the vehicle was restarted, and the instrument cluster was cleared. The contact stated that on another occasion, while starting the vehicle, the warning lights illuminated, and several alarms sounded. The contact opened the doors and turned off the vehicle. After several minutes, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module had failed. …
I was involved in a crash that resulted in a fatality on [redacted]. My truck was towed to Five Star Collision Center in Hurst, TX. The repairs were made to the body of my truck. I picked up the truck and ABS warning lights came on. I called Fove Star Collision Center and spoke to my point of contact- Nathan Hultquist. Nathan advised that I should drive the truck back immediately. I took the truck my to Nathan. He advised that I should drive the truck to the closest Dodge dealership. I did so. My ABS Module is out on my 2016 Ram.The warning lamps came on- service brake system, service trailer brake, ABS light stayed illuminated. This appeared 150 days ago. It has been at Grapevine Dodge for over 150 days. It is in limp mode and has been declared unsafe to drive. I have been in communication with Stellantis/MOPAR for the 150 days. There is no resolution. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was constantly illuminated and while the ABS light was illuminated, the cruise control was inoperable. The contact stated that the part was no longer being manufactured. The contact provided the ABS module part number as, PN: 68295368AA. Additionally, whenever the parking brake was set, the parking brake stayed on constantly. The contact stated that the regular braking system was operational while the vehicle was driven and worked as needed; however, the ABS was no longer available while driving and posed a grave safety risk in the event that the vehicle needed to make an abrupt stop. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. Additionally, after stopping at a traffic light, the vehicle fishtailed while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the cruise control feature was inoperable. The ABS, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), and brake warning lights were illuminated. The "Service Traction Control" and "Service Trailer Brake System" messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the ABS control module needed to be replaced, but the part was on backorder. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V653000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control (ESC); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer remained at 0 MPH and failed to accurately display the speed of the vehicle. The ABS, traction control, and cruise control features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The parts were on back order and the dealer estimated that it might take 10 months to a year for parts to become available. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, JTs Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Lexington (4838 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072); and confirmed that parts were still on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, and confirmed that parts were not yet available, and further assistance could not be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer and an ABS module repair was performed at the owner's expense; however, the module failed to communicate with the computer system. The service ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where it was repaired for the same ABS module failure; however, the failure reoccurred. The local dealer advised the contact that the parts to perform the repair were on backorder and were scanned with the service anti-lock brake system error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 224,000.
Brake complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 282 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Ram 1500, 18% of the model year's 1,554 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2016 Ram 1500, though it has 16 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.