Car Yearsto Avoid

2016 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners have reported about the 2016 Ram 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2016 Ram 1500 a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the 1500. Owners have filed 1,549 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 15 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, steering and fuel system.

1,549 complaints 17 recalls, 1 fire risk 2nd worst of 15 1500 years

Top 2016 Ram 1500 problems

1

Engine problems

352 complaints (23%) name the engine, most often the emission control and manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe.

Complaints 352 · Usually at 44,000–106,000 miles · Recall 23V411000, 20V475000, 19V757000

2

Steering problems

312 complaints (20%) name the steering, most often the electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

Complaints 312 · Usually at 50,000–100,000 miles · Recall 16V167000

3

Fuel system problems

281 complaints (18%) name the fuel system, most often the fuel pump and fuel filter.

Complaints 281 · Usually at 45,000–106,000 miles · Recall 22V406000

4

Brake problems

280 complaints (18%) name the brakes, most often the ABS warning light and control unit / module.

Complaints 280 · Usually at 36,000–108,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 23%
Steering 20%
Brakes 18%
Unknown or Other 8%
Suspension 4%
Airbags 3%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (745 of 1,549). The amber line is the middle value, about 52,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2016 Ram 1500 recalls

Inflator

The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.

Recall 25V010000 · Jan 2025

Engine

Can stall

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 stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

Recall 23V411000 · Jun 2023

Fuel pump

Can stall

0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge.

Recall 22V406000 · Jun 2022

Inflator, Curtain

The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge.

Recall 21V632000 · Aug 2021

Diesel

Can stall

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 stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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, free of charge.

Recall 20V475000 · Aug 2020

Gas recirculation valve (EGR VALVE)

Fire risk

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. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V757000 · Oct 2019

Latch

Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019.

Recall 19V347000 · May 2019

Tailgate, Latch

The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge.

Recall 18V486000 · Jul 2018

Wiring, Software

These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: 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. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed.

Recall 18V332000 · May 2018

Column shift

Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge.

Recall 17V821000 · Dec 2017

Curtain

Certain driving conditions, such as driving off-road or debris striking the vehicle may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying. If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge.

Recall 17V302000 · May 2017

Differential unit

Can stall

The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up. A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge.

Recall 17V198000 · Mar 2017

Axle shaft

The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fracture without warning. A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front halfshafts, free of charge.

Recall 16V301000 · May 2016

Equipment

These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags. If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund.

Recall 16E041000 · May 2016

Electric power assist system

Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 16, 2016.

Recall 16V167000 · Mar 2016

Temporary / emergency spare tire

7L engine and dual exhaust manufactured August 3, 2015, to August 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing a heat shield for the spare tire. Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire. When used, the damaged tire may have a tread separation or side wall rupture, resulting in a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a spare tire heat shield if the vehicle is missing one. Vehicles that have already been sold with an excess of 50 miles will also have their spare tires replaced.

Recall 15V663000 · Oct 2015

Axle shaft

The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated. If the rear axle shaft was not properly heated treated, it may fracture and a wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the axle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

Recall 15V661000 · Oct 2015
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2016 Ram 1500 gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2016 Ram 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.

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1500 years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2014 1500 1,773
2016 1500 1,549
2019 1500 1,492
2015 1500 1,457
2013 1500 1,279
2017 1500 882
2021 1500 683
2018 1500 664
2020 1500 639
2022 1500 624
2025 1500 360
2023 1500 203
2026 1500 101

2016 Ram 1500 problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2016 Ram 1500 a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the 1500. Owners have filed 1,549 complaints with NHTSA, the 2nd most of 15 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, steering and fuel system.

What are the most common 2016 Ram 1500 problems?

Owners most often report problems with the engine, steering, fuel system and brakes. 352 complaints (23%) name the engine, most often the emission control and manifold / header / muffler / tail pipe.

At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 engine problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 44,000–106,000 miles, with a middle value near 66,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 1500 have?

17. Inflator (25V010000); Engine (23V411000); Fuel pump (22V406000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2016 Ram 1500?

Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2009, 2024 and 2026 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.