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 3500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On Sept. 11, 2025 my truck parked in my drive way. It was parked there all night. When I opened the doors to get in smoke and flames started coming out. The center console was on fire. The next day on Sept. 12, 2025 while at the dealership to have the truck inspected it caught fire again further burning the center console, the passenger seat and the roof. The dealership told us there is nothing they could do so we had to have the truck towed back to my home. Sunday night on Sept. 14,2025, I heard a loud pop noise and when I walked outside the entire cab of the truck was engulfed in flames. We had to call the fire department and they had to come put the fire out. Each of the incidences started spontaneously when the truck was just sitting parked.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine started making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that a grid heater bolt had failed and fallen into the #5 cylinder, causing severe damage to the piston and cylinder head. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked and slowed down unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors were faulty due to wear and tear. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 116,021.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to drive. The check engine and MIL warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 55,600.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that her husband hooked the vehicle up to a handheld diagnostic machine where codes: P003A, P006a, P0046 populated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a horse trailer with horses inside, there was a message displayed that the vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact was able to drive a short distance to the destination. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained undiagnosed and unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
My 2016 dodge ram 3500 mega cab had a light come on the dash at about 89000 miles I drove it to the dealership, I told the dealership I thought it was something electrical. A couple of times my truck has went into limp mode, when this happens to you the truck will only take off in 4th gear and stays in 4th gear. If I pulled over when this would happen and turned the truck all the way off and then back on it take the light of the dash and shift properly. So the dealership calls me to let me know what they have found he says he has bad news and more bad news which was my transmission was going out and then they didn't have a transmission and had no idea when they would. They already welded up nut on the steering shaft instead of replacing it. I didnt buy a 3500 pickup because i wanted a light duty truck.
DEF pump failed around 62500 miles. Ram sent emission recall notice 67a that states they will reimburse for costs incurred if issue was before recall. Submitted paperwork and they denied due to me replacing the part myself after buying parts from Dodge dealer. I paid $1687.44. Going to a dealer SHOULDN'T be a requirement
My truck, with the aisin transmission and single rear wheel, has a horrible throttle delay. Pulling out into an intersection or in front of oncoming traffic is terrifying, because if the delay kicks in, I can put the pedal down and the truck will literally not react for 3-5 seconds. This is also true when trying to accelerate to pass on the highway, avoid another vehicle, etc. It's like the throttle pedal doesn't know you're pushing it for quite a few seconds, and then and only then it will react. This is extremely dangerous, and I've had quite a few situations where I've been pulling out across traffic from a stop sign, thinking I had plenty of time in front of oncoming traffic, only for my truck to be dead in the water. No throttle response, nothing. I've almost been hit many times because of this. Ram will not help, and states that my problem is not there. …
Daily occurrence. While dead stopped at light or idling along after lifting foot off of brake pedal, then slowly depressing accelerator pedal, there is a 2-4 second delay before truck starts to accelerate. Feels like a dead pedal. This has become worse as the truck accrues miles. When needing to accelerate quickly, the pedal response is slow to respond and has caused many anxious moments with vehicles bearing down on my rear end. I press the pedal and wait for engine to respond. The truck is a diesel and it does not feel like turbo lag. I had a 2007 diesel and this was not a problem at all. I feel that eventually this will cause or lead me to have an accident of some type. Every time I drive the truck I have to make allowances for the lack of pedal response, mostly in city, slow and go driving. On the highway at higher speeds this problem does not seem to be such an issue. …
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
Engine complaints in other 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Ram 3500?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Ram 3500, 19% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is engine › diesel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ram 3500 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-562 (diesel, Sep 12, 2017); NHTSA recall 15V-592 (engine, Sep 23, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 3500 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 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.