Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 the instrument cluster lights were intermittently dim and bright while driving, and the cabin light was inoperable. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where the power steering became functional. Additionally, the contact stated that while making a left turn to park the vehicle, the steering wheel jerked and pulled to the right. The contact was able to pull into the parking spot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned off the instrument cluster lights were illuminated and the RPMs revved up. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. …
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 his wife informed him that the vehicle would not start after driving approximately 200 miles. The contact then drove the vehicle to the dealer and within 125 miles of reaching the dealer, the "contact your local dealer, the problem with the DEF system" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. Once in the possession of the dealer, the contact was informed that three bolts that connected the exhaust to the manifold had broken off causing the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling a travel trailer, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the trailer brakes became inoperable. The contact stated that the trailer's brake functions failed to function properly, and that the trailer's emergency brakes needed to be engaged to stop the trailer. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused a crash with another vehicle, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
I was driving down the highway when my truck suddenly throws its self into park while traveling at 55 mph. My stuck started spinning causing me to bounce off the safety rails on both sides of the highway. My truck took a front end hit to a concrete wall and my airbags did not deploy. Once my truck came to a stop sideways in the middle of the highway it wouldn't come out of park because it was shut off. I started the truck and placed it in drive and was able to move a few feet from the center of the highway. The truck was towed. No warning lights had went off nothing. I'm having bad neck pain from the residual effects of the accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated he replaced the battery himself, but the vehicle failed to restart. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,001.
2016 Ram 1500. Abs system malfunction. Brakes lock up randomly. Abs, brake light, traction control light come on randomly causing brake issues. Very dangerous. Called multiple dealerships. No control module available. No date for part to be available. This is huge safety issue and Ram/fiat are not seeming to care. No sense of urgency from any of the dealerships or manufacturer. Lawsuit could be happening sense this is huge safety problem. Code c2200-49
On September 29, 2025, my vehicle overheated. Smoke was coming from the interior vents as well as from under the hood. I pulled over shortly after and had my vehicle towed to a repair shop. I got an estimate for radiator repair. That did not fix the issue, so more repair was needed related to a heating and evaporator core. I have attached the invoices for those repairs. I just wanted to note this for my records.
Engine speed surged while pulling into parking space. Bringing to dealer to have checked. No warning, or codes given. $1500 in damages to my vehicle and probably the same to the parked car in front of me. Worried about my safety now with this sudden acceleration.
I was in two separate major accidents and the airbags did not deploy. I got injuries due to this. They have been looked at by shops when repairs were made. No indication before or after of any kind regarding air bags.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
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…
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 193 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Ram 1500, 12% of the model year's 1,554 complaints. The component named most often is instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 1500 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-332 (software, May 17, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 42% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 7 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to electrical system 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.