2016 RAM 1500

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 14 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports and 6 EWR Death & Injury (D&I) reports describing post recall remedy failures of the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) system in certain Model Year (MY) 2013-2018 RAM pickup trucks.The subject vehicle models include 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks equipped with a column mounted shift lever.The failures of the BTSI described in the VOQs occurred on vehicles that had all previously been repaired under recall 17V-821 or 18V-100.Both recalls address a potential condition which can cause the BTSI locking pin to become stuck allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without depressing the brake pedal and/or without having a key in the ignition.Shifting the transmission out of Park when not having the brake pedal depressed can result in a vehicle rollaway. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the 17V-821 and 18V-100 recall remedies, understand the root cause of additional vehicle rollaway incidents, and identify any other possible root cause that may affect the performance of the BTSI system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 380 reports from consumers alleging an intermittent or complete loss of power steering assistance in certain 2013-2016 Ram 1500.The failure allegations occur at various speeds with limited detectability to the driver.On March 23, 2016 Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) conducted recall campaign 16V-167 to address a possible contamination of the electrical power steering unit in certain model year 2015-2016 RAM 1500. The recall involved 440 vehicles and potentially resulted in loss of power steering assist.Consumer complaints indicate a similar failure may be occurring in vehicles that are out of scope of the recall.A Recall Query has been opened to determine if the scope of the recall mentioned above is correct or if another defect might exist that causes the alleged steering concerns.The reports cited above are listed in the attached document.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

Basis – On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-014 to investigate 43 vehicle rollaway incidents with operators alleging they had shifted to Park and then exited the vehicle prior to the rollway incidents.  These complaints involved multiple Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) model and model year vehicles that share a common electronic rotary shifter design.  Of the 43 consumer complaints, 25 complaints alleged crashes, and eight complaints alleged at least one injury. Subject Vehicles – When NHTSA opened the investigation, the subject vehicles were model year (MY) 2013-2016 Ram 1500 vehicles and MY 2014-2016 Dodge Durango vehicles equipped with a rotary electronic shifter. However, NHTSA expanded the scope of the investigation to include subsequent model years of the same model vehicles when the Agency learned that those new model year vehicles use the same rotary shifter.  Additionally, all subject vehicles manufactured by FCA are equipped with electronic rotary shifters supplied by Kostal Automotive. Reason for closing - During the course of this investigation, ODI did not find evidence that a vehicle-based design or manufacturing defect was the cause of vehicle rollaway incidents on the subject vehicles. Nevertheless, given the risk of a vehicle rollaway, FCA’s CSN actions provide automated vehicle securement when an operator attempts to exit the vehicle without successfully achieving a Park position with the rotary shifter mechanism. ODI closely monitored the subject vehicles on which the CSN actions implement a vehicle securement strategy and found that the CSN actions were effective in reducing the frequency of vehicle rollaway incidents in the subject vehicles. ODI analyzed the incidents when a CSN had been implemented and a rollaway still occurred, and ODI was unable to find an actionable defect that caused vehicle rollaway incidents. ODI found that the failure rates on subject vehicles that received a CSN remedy were similar to the failure rates on other vehicle populations and additionally had similar mechanisms as other vehicle populations such as slippery surfaces and various mechanical failures. Furthermore, as discussed above, after FCA’s release of the CSN actions, consumer complaints have decreased significantly. Given the absence of an identified safety defect based on available information and FCA’s customer satisfaction campaign which addresses the failure mode, further action is not warranted at this time. Accordingly, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. However, the Agency reserves the right to take further action, if warranted.Please see the attached detailed closing summary for more information. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11776136

Incident

Jun 14, 2026

In Nov 2020, we had a Ram recall repair for the EGR Cooler/VB1. This was a safety issue that could potentially cause the truck to catch on fire. Nov 2026, we are getting a code for the same issue with our VB1 egr cooler valve. We've contacted Ram and have an email stating that our repair is out of warranty since it's been over 2 years since the repair was completed. Since this was a safety recall and not a standard recall, there is no 2 year warranty time frame. Ram is refusing to repair at their expense.

NHTSA ID

11776010

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a widespread defect in the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) on my 2016 Ram 1500. The ABS system on my vehicle has suffered an internal failure, resulting in an active ABS dashboard warning light, total loss of traction control, and immediate electronic disabling of both the cruise control system and the four-wheel drive (4WD) system. Disabling ABS and the 4WD system leaves the vehicle unable to adapt to hazardous road or weather conditions, creating a significant safety risk. This exact failure pattern mimics identical ABS defects that parent company Stellantis/FCA has previously recalled on heavier-duty Ram platforms (such as NHTSA Recall 24V-896), but the 2016 half-ton models have not yet been included in a mandatory remedy campaign. I request that this issue be documented and investigated as a potential safety defect requiring expanded remedy coverage.

NHTSA ID

11775672

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the electronic power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn and was almost impossible to turn. The contact stated that on the previous day, the power steering warning light was illuminated momentarily. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: C2217-00 (internal electronic power steering module failure). The contact associated the failure with NHTSA investigation RQ23-033. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 138,210.

NHTSA ID

11775658

Incident

Nov 4, 2026

Mileage

138,210 mi

ELECTRIC STEERING RACK FAILURE. The truck requires tremendous strength to steer manually, risking accident and injury to passengers and other vehicles. Emmett's Auto in Klamath Falls, OR has ordered a new steering rack. RAM Corporate advised the truck is not on recall. Other trucks manufactured the same year have the recall for the same defect. A "service steering soon" message appears in the message center of the truck. Local dealer, Lithia Auto received 18 new steering racks which were already promised to other repairs. This indicates to me that this is a widespread problem and the recall should have involved my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11775646

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

On [XXX], I experienced a severe safety failure regarding the fuel tank support on my 2016 Ram 1500 (VIN: [XXX]). I was driving on public roads under normal conditions and stopped at a store for grocery shopping. While parked, a bystander alerted me that my gas tank was physically hanging down from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, I found that the metal fuel tank strap had completely broken off due to corrosion, leaving the heavy fuel tank unsupported and at high risk of dropping onto the road. Because the vehicle was unsafe to leave as-is, I had to rig a temporary strap harness under the truck to hold the tank up just enough to carefully limp the vehicle home. This sudden structural failure presents a massive fire and road hazard. Upon contacting my local Ram/Chrysler dealership, I was informed that there is no active recall covering my specific vehicle. However, after researching the issue on automotive forums and Facebook owner groups, I discovered this is a widespread and well-documented defect among Ram 1500 owners. While some older models received a formal recall (Recall U04) for this exact issue, many owners of newer models like mine are being left without assistance, forcing them to pay out-of-pocket at independent mechanics or attempt DIY repairs on a critical safety component. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this ongoing defect for 2016 models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11775502

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

ABS, Trailer brakes, and traction control lights on ABM C2200-49 DTC Code

NHTSA ID

11775486

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, several warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system was contaminated with metal shavings. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) in May 2024. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. In addition, the contact stated that several cases were filed. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11775355

Incident

Oct 9, 2026

Mileage

168,000 mi

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More. The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.

Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.

The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission models: 845RE, 8HP45, 850RE, 8HP50, 8HP70, 8HP75, 8HP75-PHEV, 8HP75-LCV, 8HP90, 8HP95. Transmissions may exhibit the following diagnostic codes: P07E4, P1DB2, P0716, P1B14, P0733, P1D90, P1DB7, P1B13.