Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed after the vehicle was picked up from the dealer, the engine warning light illuminated. While driving a short distance later, two unknown warning lights illuminated, and the message "Exhaust Filter 100% FULL - Safely Drive at Highway Speeds" was displayed. After exiting the freeway, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the left engine manifold, catalytic converter, and the air intake had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the messages "Service Emissions Control" and "Exhaust Filter 100 Percent Full - Service Required - See Dealer" were displayed, and there was a strong fuel odor coming through the vents while idling or while driving. Additionally, while attempting to refuel the vehicle at the gas station, fuel splashed out and the vehicle could not be refueled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and initially informed the contact that the vehicle was still covered under Emission Recall Number: V08 and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and Emission Recall Number: V08; however, the contact was informed that the manufacturer had not approved the recall repairs. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message motive power reduced was displayed. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact drove for twenty miles at a reduced speed to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed exhaust filter. The contact was informed that the exhaust filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact became aware of an oil leak underneath the vehicle that smelled like coolant. While merging into oncoming traffic, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact released the accelerator pedal and coasted to the side of the road, and slowly depressed the accelerator and drove to a nearby parking lot. The contact purchased oil and topped off the engine oil. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the coolant line was leaking coolant and could cause coolant to mix with the engine oil. The mechanic stated there was a code that the oil pressure sensor had failed. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V496000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated there was a loud whining sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The contact was informed that the software needed to be updated and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the towing suddenly failed. The contact was able to drive off the exit. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the week before, while idling at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact cleared the code before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a tone wheel failure. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact learned that the vehicle was included in a recall in 2019, and the fix included updating the powertrain control module software. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the repair was no longer covered under recall. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 64 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts and was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,777. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V406000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) and 23V411000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 5MPH, the vehicle started to stall, then jerked back and forth before eventually shutting off. The fuel control sensor warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired; however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts were on backorder. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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…
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
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…
Remedy: 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,…
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine complaints in other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Ram 1500?
NHTSA has 353 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Ram 1500, 23% of the model year's 1,554 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 1500 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-411 (engine and engine cooling, Jun 8, 2023); NHTSA recall 20V-475 (diesel, Aug 13, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-757 (gas recirculation valve (egr valve), Oct 24, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 27 fires and 8 injuries to engine & cooling 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.