AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
2016 RAM 1500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 1,517 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 RAM 1500, most frequently naming the engine, steering and fuel system categories. 17 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 604 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | 8 | 669 |
| Oct 2021 | 3 | 672 |
| Nov 2021 | 7 | 679 |
| Dec 2021 | 8 | 687 |
| Jan 2022 | 9 | 696 |
| Feb 2022 | 10 | 706 |
| Mar 2022 | 7 | 713 |
| Apr 2022 | 9 | 722 |
| May 2022 | 6 | 728 |
| Jun 2022 | 12 | 740 |
| Jul 2022 | 5 | 745 |
| Aug 2022 | 11 | 756 |
| Sep 2022 | 8 | 764 |
| Oct 2022 | 3 | 767 |
| Nov 2022 | 9 | 776 |
| Dec 2022 | 12 | 788 |
| Jan 2023 | 10 | 798 |
| Feb 2023 | 12 | 810 |
| Mar 2023 | 11 | 821 |
| Apr 2023 | 7 | 828 |
| May 2023 | 18 | 846 |
| Jun 2023 | 12 | 858 |
| Jul 2023 | 10 | 868 |
| Aug 2023 | 38 | 906 |
| Sep 2023 | 15 | 921 |
| Oct 2023 | 12 | 933 |
| Nov 2023 | 23 | 956 |
| Dec 2023 | 15 | 971 |
| Jan 2024 | 18 | 989 |
| Feb 2024 | 31 | 1,020 |
| Mar 2024 | 18 | 1,038 |
| Apr 2024 | 13 | 1,051 |
| May 2024 | 11 | 1,062 |
| Jun 2024 | 19 | 1,081 |
| Jul 2024 | 18 | 1,099 |
| Aug 2024 | 22 | 1,121 |
| Sep 2024 | 14 | 1,135 |
| Oct 2024 | 17 | 1,152 |
| Nov 2024 | 13 | 1,165 |
| Dec 2024 | 14 | 1,179 |
| Jan 2025 | 28 | 1,207 |
| Feb 2025 | 20 | 1,227 |
| Mar 2025 | 27 | 1,254 |
| Apr 2025 | 17 | 1,271 |
| May 2025 | 12 | 1,283 |
| Jun 2025 | 8 | 1,291 |
| Jul 2025 | 17 | 1,308 |
| Aug 2025 | 28 | 1,336 |
| Sep 2025 | 19 | 1,355 |
| Oct 2025 | 18 | 1,373 |
| Nov 2025 | 16 | 1,389 |
| Dec 2025 | 18 | 1,407 |
| Jan 2026 | 18 | 1,425 |
| Feb 2026 | 21 | 1,446 |
| Mar 2026 | 10 | 1,456 |
| Apr 2026 | 16 | 1,472 |
| May 2026 | 18 | 1,490 |
| Jun 2026 | 7 | 1,497 |
| Jul 2026 | 15 | 1,512 |
| Aug 2026 | 5 | 1,517 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine35018.1%
- Steering30315.7%
- Fuel system27714.3%
- Brakes26613.7%
- Powertrain (other)19910.3%
- Electrical1879.7%
- Driver assistance1306.7%
- Suspension663.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
17 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
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.
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
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.
High pressure fuel pump failure
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
Vehicle Rollaway
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
ABS Module control unit has gone out and we are being told by multiple mech that the module is on national back order and could be 6 months or more before the part can be secured. We can not go with our our vehicle for this long. We are willing to get it fixed but this back order has made it impossible to do so.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756178
- Incident
- Aug 8, 2026
"Service Electronic Braking System", "Service Antilock Brake System" and "Service Trailer Brake" system lights coming on - affecting antilock brakes, traction control and cruise control. Appears to be a common issue and the parts to repair are not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755874
- Incident
- Jul 3, 2026
ABS module showing internal electrical failure. Service ABS, trailer brake, and electrical brake warning lights on. Traction control light on. Cruise control not working.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755782
- Incident
- Aug 9, 2026
The ABS (Anti Lock Brake System) Module has failed. ABS, cruise control, and traction control are disabled. A faulty ABS can cause an inability to stop suddenly to avoid a collision. My specific issue has been confirmed by a Ram dealer. Chrysler engineering has confirmed this is a widespread problem with multiple vehicles using the same ABS Module. It is not possible to get a replacement ABS Module. Auto parts stores and dealers do not have replacement parts. There is a waiting list for a redesigned ABS Module at my local Ram dealership. The first person on the list has been on the list for 3 years. A new module, installed and programmed, will cost over $1200. A faulty ABS is a safety issue. I recommend Ram/Chrysler issue a recall when parts are available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755089
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2026
I am writing to request your assistance regarding my 2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and the handling of a safety-related recall repair that has not resolved the original issue. My vehicle has been experiencing the following symptoms: •Check engine light •Hard starting •Engine struggling to start •Engine stalling These symptoms prompted me to bring the vehicle to an authorized Ram dealership for diagnosis and repair. The dealership informed me that the vehicle qualified for Recall Z46, and the recall was subsequently performed. Unfortunately, after the recall was listed as completed, the vehicle continues to exhibit the exact same symptoms that existed prior to the repair. The check engine light remains, the vehicle still struggles to start, and it continues to stall. After further research I discovered that the entire recall was not completed based on the procedures listed on the NHTSA website. This is extremely concerning because these symptoms create a potential safety risk, particularly when the engine stalls unexpectedly. I have attempted to work through Ram Customer Care to resolve this matter. My experience has been disappointing. I have been unable to obtain meaningful assistance or authorization to have the vehicle evaluated by another certified Ram dealership despite my concerns that the original dealership did not successfully resolve the issue. At this point, I have lost confidence in the original servicing dealership's ability to properly diagnose and repair my vehicle. I have maintained detailed records of my repair visits and communications and am prepared to provide copies of repair orders and any additional documentation needed. My goal is simply to have my vehicle repaired correctly and safely.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754888
- Incident
- Jul 24, 2026
Z
- NHTSA ID
- 11753517
- Incident
- Jul 28, 2026
The anti lock braking system control module has been disabled for three years with the same issue as 2017 and later models but is excluded from the recall even though it's the same fix. Meanwhile I had to wait three years and pay $2600, while the other vehicles are being repaired for free causing the shortage for which i had to wait. Same problem. Same fix.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753301
- Incident
- Mar 15, 2023
ABS / Traction Control / Brake warning lights ALL illuminated. No anti lock brakes and no cruise control. ABS module failure. Replacement part on back order for at least 2 years. Unable to repair.
- NHTSA ID
- 11752857
- Incident
- May 7, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
POWER TRAIN
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.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 71 | 5 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2025 | 308 | 7 | 0 | 58.0 |
| 2024 | 69 | 6 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 2023 | 191 | 11 | 0 | 60.2 |
| 2022 | 597 | 16 | 2 | 65.8 |
| 2021 | 665 | 15 | 1 | 62.3 |
| 2020 | 620 | 14 | 1 | 63.4 |
| 2019 | 1,457 | 30 | 1 | 63.0 |
| 2018 | 646 | 15 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 2017 | 863 | 13 | 3 | 71.9 |
| 2016Viewing | 1,517 | 17 | 4 | 70.5 |
| 2015 | 1,430 | 18 | 5 | 70.0 |
| 2014 | 1,745 | 17 | 5 | 68.4 |
| 2013 | 1,259 | 12 | 4 | 69.6 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 2009 | 37 | 2 | 1 | 51.5 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.