Owner complaint record
2016 Ram 1500 Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2016 Ram 1500 owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 1,526 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 20261,526 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
+6% vs 2015
304 complaints, 20% of the total
half of the steering reports that give a mileage came before this
52 mention an injury, 35 a fire
The steering leads the 2016 Ram 1500 record at 20%, with engine close behind. Of the steering reports that give a mileage, half came before 70,700 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the electric power steering rack, $1,680 to $2,148 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Steering and engine complaints lead, the steering ones mostly a warning light and a loss of power assist. Ram recalled certain 2015 and 2016 trucks for contamination on the electric power steering circuit board that can cut the assist, and certain 2016 trucks for a differential pin screw that may come loose.
2016 Ram 1500 overview
The 2016 Ram 1500 came with a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6, with an eight-speed automatic or, on some V8s, a six-speed, in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.
Owners filed 6% more complaints about the 2016 than the 2015 (1,436), and the steering leads both years. The 2017 drew 865, with steering named most.
- Power
- 395 hp at 5,600 rpm
- Torque
- 410 lb-ft at 3,950 rpm (89 octane recommended)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Midgrade gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 305 hp
- Torque
- 269 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 8-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 240 hp
- Torque
- 420 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 8-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Stellantis media spec sheets (Wayback copies), read 3 Oct 2026.
Is the 2016 Ram 1500 reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 than about any other 1500 year except 2014, and the steering draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 2ndCompared with other 1500 years1,526 complaints, the 2nd most of 13 model years (2014 has 1,750).By model year
- 20%The system named mostSteering, in 304 complaints. Half of the steering reports that give a mileage came before 70,700 miles.Problems by system
- 17Recalls17 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ram 1500.Recalls
- 90Crashes, injuries, fires90 complaints mention a crash, 52 an injury and 35 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2016 Ram 1500 problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 1,526 complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Steering20%304 complaintsLoss of power assist, warnings
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What owners describe
Power steering went out while driving on my street. Truck did not quit running . Almost lost control but was moving slow, thankfully. Could not turn steering wheel manually. Had truck towed to dealer, still under warranty with 6,800 miles. Power steering was working when arrived at dealership. They could not duplicate problem.
Power steering went out on vehicle while driving with less than 2000 miles on odometer. Reported this to NHTSA at that time. Dealer could not get problem to repeat. Power steering went out this week at 53,000 miles and dealer having trouble diagnosing source of problem. Afraid to drive vehicle
INPAWIARRead 4 more owner reports+4
I have had my 2016 ram 1500 aligned 4 times in the last 2 months. Everytime I bring it in to the dealership they say it is way out of alignment and correct it. In a few days the truck will start pulling again. All highway driving.
My 2016 ram 1500 will randomly loose power steering. I'll be turning and it gets real hard to turn. I'm thinking it has something to do with the power steering. It doesn't matter if I'm going fast or slow. It does it quite often. Doesn't matter if I'm on the road or off the road. It doesn't while I'm in motion or at a stop
I experienced intermittent steering effort turning a corner,almost ran into pole when I could not turn onto my street. Mechanic said my steering rack failed. Truck has 44,000 miles.
The horn and the steering wheel controls do not work. The horn will work when locking my vehicle with the key fob but not by pressing the horn. The controls on the steering wheel do not work at all.
When it starts
Usually starts around 70,667 miles. Half of owners reported it between 50,000 and 100,000.
What to do
Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and watch for a steering warning.
Engine19%291 complaintsStalling, warning lights
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What owners describe
The exhaust manifold bolts break off the head of the bolt on the rear cylinder on each side causing an exhaust leak between the engine and the manifold on the 5.7l hemi. The dealership said its a known issue with those motors but there is no recall.
Exhaust manifold bolts have sheared and snapped. With less than 50k miles on the truck the exhaust manifold bolts have sheared. This results in a leak of exhaust gases into the cabin of the truck. Making the vehicle unsafe and at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The ram dealership stated that this is a common problem 3/6/2019
CATXNYSCRead 4 more owner reports+4
After having the approved emissions modification installed my truck became dangerously sluggish from a dead stop. After pressing accelerator pedal pulling into traffic truck is moving approx. 4 mph where there is a 3 to 4 second delay in acceleration leaving me vulnerable to oncoming traffic. Truck was fine before aem. Dealer now says they can not reverse aem. Truck is now a serious traffic hazard.
Clicking/tapping noise coming from engine at cold starts. Noise goes away when engine warms up. Took truck to dealer and problem was diagnosed as broken exhaust manifold bolts. Service manage said this was on going problem with 5.7 hemi engines since 2009. I had to pay for repair even though this was obviously a manufacturer error in design. Cost was $684 to replace bolts.
While the engine is running the check engine light leads to a misfiring of cylinder 5 further diagnosing and consultation with dealer identifies a recurring problem on this 5.7 hemi engine of the lifter bearing failing and locking up. The lock-up wears out the camshaft causing the misfire. The dealer said they know the problem and do lot's of these repairs.
Check engine light popped on with 20,400 miles on 2016 vehicle while driving straight about 40 mph on a city road. Dealership read the code as 'coolant bypass valve stuck'. Dirt and debris was found in the connector. Was cleaned and lubricated.
When it starts
Usually starts around 60,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 41,000 and 92,000.
What to do
Let the engine idle warm and watch for a stall or a warning light.
Our guideCar Shuts Off While Idling or Driving? Causes and What to DoBraking system15%236 complaintsABS warning light
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What owners describe
Dodge ram 1500 was designed with the rear brake line which is positioned such that the rear brake line will be cut if chains or snow cables are installed on the vehicle. The dealer stated this is a known issue; however, there is no fix. The are refusing to repair the vehicle making it unsafe to use in areas where it could snow.
My truck rolled back about 6 ft in my drive way while it was parked about 20 minutes after getting out the truck. I moved the truck back and about 20 minutes later it rolled back 4 ft. I then moved it again and put the parking break on with no movement my driveway has a small incline around 3-4%.
MIWASCNYRead 4 more owner reports+4
My vehicle rolled away while in park with the engine running. The temperature was 35 degrees and it was just started and moved in the driveway. The vehicle would not go back into drive or park. It had to be shut off and then re-started to reset the shifter activity. This is a rotary shifter nob vehicle.
Dropping boat in water on slight grade ramp. Put car in park and shut down. As I dropped boat from the trailer the truck rolled down the ramp immersing 3/4 of the body in the salt water. No one was behind the wheel. This product has had issues with rollaways
Abs module failed in july 2024 subsequently, abs, electronic stability control, and cruise control are not operating. Brake light also remains lit on dash panel. Abs module is currently not available from ram. Expected date is continually pushed further and further into the future. Meanwhile, truck is not able to operate at full, safety capacity.
My cruise control was engaged as I was going down a mountain approaching a sharp turn when I hit the brakes the petal went to the floor and the truck accelerated. I went into the woods where I hit numerous trees and totaled the vehicle. What can be done about this
When it starts
Usually starts around 30,300 miles. Half of owners reported it between 7,500 and 56,500.
What to do
Watch the dash for the ABS light.
Our guideABS Light On: What It Means and Is It Safe to Drive?Powertrain13%201 complaintsRough shifting, axle recalls
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What owners describe
Vehicle has rolled out of my driveway about 8 feet from its original location when parked. Vehicle was placed into park. Vehicle was not running, emergency brake was not set. Engine was off in all cases
Aem reflash as required by the fca emissions recall #v08 has caused the truck to accelerate very slowly, causing numerous near misses when crossing and turning past oncoming traffic. Dealership reports all recalled customers are reporting the same issues.
WAWARead 2 more owner reports+2
Towing small utility trailer with 1,150 lbs load at interstate speeds. Without warning left (driver) rear axle seal failed. Gear oil coated brakes and began smoking. Upon diagnostic, determined left rear axle bearing catastrophic failure. Required left axle shaft replacement, left rear axle seal, left rear axle bearing.
Our truck was in park with the brake on on our driveway which is a hill and it rolled backwards t2 different times without anybody in it.
When it starts
Usually starts around 32,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 10,000 and 56,000.
What to do
Drive through every gear and listen for clunks.
Our guideBad Transmission Symptoms: Seven Causes Ranked from $6.19 to $7,100Fuel and power delivery12%188 complaintsCheck engine light, diesel recalls
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What owners describe
Truck stuck at high speed, unable to de-accelarate, turned truck to neutral and applied hand brake to gradually stop. Message received on truck;" service throtle body" milage on truck 86463. I was driving about 60 mhp and attempted to pass a slow car when this happen.
The recall has been since june 2022(I think) manufacturer recall#246, NHTSA recall#22v-406(high pressure fuelpump) it willbe almost a year ? Since the recall all the dealers can offer or tell you is no parts available? What is the usual time frame given these known defects to be fixed? Is this a safety issue?
PALARead 2 more owner reports+2
The truck down speeds to 40 mph without notice or warning. The fuel filter appears to be clogging and the fuel injectors and lines are also clogged. Dodge refuses to fix the issue opting to replace parts and informing me that I must monitor the truck bring it in every 12,000 miles for repair.
Driving on a highway at 60 m/h engine start smoking and caught on fire without any previous alert or check engine light on after I pullover and lift the hood to inspect the smoke.
When it starts
Usually starts around 51,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 38,375 and 71,750.
What to do
Run the VIN for the diesel recalls on the 3.0L.
Electrical system12%185 complaintsShow detailsHide details
What owners describe
Radio shuts off without warning, locks up and will only turn back on when shutting off vehicle and restarting it. Headlight flicker on and off while driving. Headlight flicker has done this for 3 months now
My truck rolled back about 6 ft in my drive way while it was parked about 20 minutes after getting out the truck. I moved the truck back and about 20 minutes later it rolled back 4 ft. I then moved it again and put the parking break on with no movement my driveway has a small incline around 3-4%.
MIWARead 2 more owner reports+2
My truck has under 20,000 miles, and I have had an electrical fire underneath my drivers seat, that caused the whole truck to fill with smoke. Less than 2 weeks later, my passenger side front window fell off the track and into the door, during a heavy snowstorm, throwing slush, and snow into my passenger's face.*bf *
Dropping boat in water on slight grade ramp. Put car in park and shut down. As I dropped boat from the trailer the truck rolled down the ramp immersing 3/4 of the body in the salt water. No one was behind the wheel. This product has had issues with rollaways
When it starts
Usually starts around 32,666 miles. Half of owners reported it between 11,375 and 55,724.
What to do
What repairs cost on the 2016 Ram 1500
Part prices for the problems 2016 1500 owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
For all three engines, Dorman up to Mopar, plus a core deposit of up to $250. Recall 16V167 replaces the electric power steering unit free at the dealer; check the VIN first.
Check steering racksOne listing, Mopar's own unit, for all three engines.
Check ABS unitsPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 2, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
17 owners name C2200 (a Ram-specific code) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Braking system complaints start earliest, typically around 30,300 miles. Steering complaints start latest, around 70,700 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Ram 1500 complaints by model year
2016 is shown in dark. The steering is named most in 4 other 1500 years.
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2016 is shown in dark. The steering is named most in 4 other 1500 years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 have kept arriving since 2016, with peaks in 2019 and 2025. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2016 Ram 1500 recalls
17 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ram 1500. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2016 Ram 1500 crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2016 Ram 1500 four stars overall, the same for four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive. Its defect office has opened four investigations that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2016 Ram 1500’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 20% to 22%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2016 Ram 1500
These checks follow what 2016 Ram 1500 owners reported most: steering that loses its assist, then engine warnings and the ABS light. Run the VIN before you pay, because this truck has steering and differential recalls.
- 1Turn the wheel lock to lock
Steering complaints lead the file.
- 2Run the VIN for steering and differential recalls
Only the VIN shows whether they were done.
- 3Watch for the ABS light
The ABS light leads the brake complaints.
- 4Let the engine idle warm
Engine complaints describe stalling.
- 5Drive through every gear
Rough shifting shows up in the powertrain complaints.
Oil and service for the 2016 Ram 1500
This is what Ram's manual and its diesel supplement say the 2016 Ram 1500 needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. The vehicle tracks oil wear itself and shows an oil change message, but Ram says never to go past a set number of miles or months.
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 7 US quarts
- Coolant
- Mopar 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 6 US quarts
- Coolant
- Mopar 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT
- Engine oil
- 5W-40 synthetic (API CJ-4)
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 10.5 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF
- Diesel exhaust fluid
- MOPAR DEF, API certified to ISO 22241
- Coolant
- Mopar 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT
Service schedule
From the Ram 2016 1500/2500/3500 Owner's Manual and Ram 2016 Diesel Supplement, read Oct 2, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 1500?
Owners name the steering most (304 complaints), then engine (291) and braking system (236).
Is 2016 a good year for the Ram 1500?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the steering complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ram 1500?
Yes. NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ram 1500: engine and engine cooling (3), latches/locks/linkages, structure, electrical system, airbags (3), power train (4), tires, steering, equipment, fuel system, diesel. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 problems start?
Braking system complaints start earliest, around 30,300 miles. Steering complaints come later, around 70,700 miles.
Which 1500 years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2014 and 2016 model years have the most in the file, and the 2024 and 2023 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Other 2016 pickup trucks to compare
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.