2016 RAM 5500 Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on several occasions, the vehicle lost power and unintendedly decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence and there was smoke coming from the engine and there was oil underneath the engine compartment. The contact stated that an independent mechanic arrived at the residence and retrieved a fault code referencing an exhaust system failure and a fire risk. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P003A (Turbo supercharger boost control module position exceeded learning limits, U010C - lost communication with turbocharger control module, FP2BAC - NOx exceedance deactivation of EGR) were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11744191

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

Mileage

23,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transfer case. The contact stated that the transmission was loud and vibrated abnormally while driving. The contact previously owned a 2014 Ram 5500 with a noisy transfer case which caused the vehicle to vibrate abnormally, and due to the failure, the contact was given a newer model vehicle. The contact stated that the current vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 156. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID

11670776

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

Mileage

156 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while his driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake violently when all four tires detached from the vehicle. As a result, the contact’s driver was able to navigate the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair shop where it was diagnosed that the wheels studs had detached from the wheels and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred. The contact then received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side wheel studs and lug nuts had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact inquired about reimbursement; however, the contact was denied reimbursement and informed that vehicle was outside of the warranty contract and had expired. The contact was informed that parts were not part of the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 365,047.

NHTSA ID

11547069

Incident

Dec 3, 2022

Mileage

365,047 mi

We have sent this in for recall repairs and Dodge either did not have the parts or said it would be weeks before they got the parts and we, as a company have had three dodge ram 5500's in the last week that have broken all the wheel studs off, snapped a single stud, or the the lug nuts have gotten loose even after torquing them to the newly recommended 129ft/lbs. We have 30 plus of these trucks and we are worried that if dodge does not get this fixed that there will be an injury.

NHTSA ID

11541453

Incident

Aug 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH the driver's side rear outer wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that all ten lug nuts securing the wheel had sheared off causing the failure to occur. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the vehicle under the NHTSA recall campaign number: 21V398000(Wheels). The lug nuts were replaced and the recall was completed. Approximately 3 months later the same failure occurred on the front driver's side wheel. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH the wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into a concrete barrier. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the 10 lug nut bolts had also sheared off causing the wheel to detach from the vehicle. During the crash the front driver, front passenger, and rear passenger side occupant all sustained neck and back injuries that later required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was later towed back to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired under the previous recall campaign. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11527014

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a left turn the dual left rear tires had separated from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on the axle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he had the vehicle towed to a dealer who determined that the studs had sheared from the wheel and found that his vehicle had NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) associated with the VIN. The vehicle had been repaired. However, the vehicle suffered a similar tire separation on the front driver's side tire. The contact stated that the vehicle swerved across two lanes of traffic on the highway and crashed into the highway barrier. The contact stated that the vehicle had suffered damage to the entire left side of the vehicle. The contact stated that police were on the scene and wrote a traffic ticket. The contact said that there were no injuries. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed back to the same dealer who did not repair the vehicle. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11523240

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V398000 (Wheels) however, the local dealer and other unknown dealers informed the contact that they could not accommodate the vehicle for recall repair. The contact stated while his driver was driving at 50 MPH, the rear passenger's side tire inadvertently detached and rolled away. The driver was able to veer to the side of the road. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that all ten-wheel studs were missing. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11477230

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

Mileage

175,000 mi

THE HIGH PRESSURE BOOSTER HOSE INTERIOR LINER CAME APART AND JAMMED INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER PRESSURE PORT. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF POWER BRAKES. THIS IS AN AMBULANCE, WE HAVE MULTIPLE OF THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL. IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS. THROUGH AN INTERNET SEARCH AND CALLING THE DODGE DEALERSHIP AND SPEAKING TO THE MECHANIC, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS. HTTPS://WWW.DIESELTRUCKRESOURCE.COM/FORUMS/4TH-GEN-RAM-NON-DRIVETRAIN-2010-UP-202/STEERING-LOCKS-UP-BRAKE-APPLICATION-315220/

NHTSA ID

11403861

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AN VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V495000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11395691

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

OUR TRANSFER CASE FAILED (BLOW APART) CAUSING A FIRE . WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR DEALER AND FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS DODGE HAS NOT ALLOWED THE REPAIR TO PROCEED OR PROVIDED US WITH CONTACT INFORMATION OR A PATH FORWARD. WE HAVE NO TRUCK OR PLAN FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THE TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED.

NHTSA ID

11269389

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

WAS DRIVING 65 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL, ON THE HIGHWAY, IN MOTION WHEN I FELT A VIBRATION FOR MAYBE 10 SECONDS, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON WITHIN A COUPLE SECONDS OF VIBRATION STARTING, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. SOMEONE HAD TO BRING A TRUCK AND TRAILER TO COME PICK UP MYSELF AND THE TRUCK AND A WRECKER TO LOAD TRUCK ON TRAILER. WHEN TRUCK WAS LOADED, YOU COULD SEE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD EXPLODED. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN PULLED OUT. I CHECKED FOR ANY ISSUES OF THIS TYPE WITH SIMILAR YEAR AND MAKE TRUCKS AND FOUND THAT SOME 2016 DODGE 5500'S HAVE A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE THIS CAN HAPPEN. WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS THIS ISSUES BUT IT IS ONLY THOSE MADE BETWEEN CERTAIN DATES. HOW CAN THEY BE CERTAIN? I AM NOW LEFT PAYING A MONTHLY NOTE ON A $45,000 TRUCK THAT IS COMPLETELY USELESS. THIS TRUCK IS REGULARLY MAINTENANCED AND ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11269161

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi

ALL FUNTIONS OF STEERING COLUMN FAILED. FOUND UNPOWERED WIRE TO 6STEERING COLUMN MODULE. TRACED WIRE TO FUSEBOX AND FOUND SEVERAL CORRODED WIRES ALONG WITH RUBBER COATING FALLING OFF. REPLACED BAD WIRE ENDS AND AM NOW LOOKING FOR A PERMINENT FIX.

NHTSA ID

11266093

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED TO PREVENT IT FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAGUIRE DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 959 HIAWATHA BLVD W, SYRACUSE, NY 13204, (315) 487-6211) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,122. *DT CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN PARK THE VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON THE INCLINE. UPDATED 12/07/18 *JB *DT*JB *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11142105

Incident

Oct 21, 2017

Mileage

77,122 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND THEN A LOUD BANGING NOISE FROM UNDERNEAT THE TRUCK. I LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN FOUND PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THE ROAD AND ALOT OF FLUID. THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE

NHTSA ID

11121408

Incident

Apr 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TEXAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (18555 EASTEX FWY, HUMBLE, TX) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,610.

NHTSA ID

11101984

Incident

Jun 9, 2018

Mileage

46,610 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE FRAME WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER LOCATED AT 903 S BURLINGTON BLVD BURLINGTON, WASHINGTON 360-757 0038) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

NHTSA ID

10992833

Incident

Apr 4, 2017

Mileage

4,500 mi

TRUCK STARTS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (62-72MPH) STEERING IS NON-RESPONSIVE WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE SWAY AND THEN STEERING WILL CATCH IMMEDIATELY AND THE SWAYING GETS WORSE. HAVE TO SLOW TO 40 MPH TO REGAIN CNTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHERS AROUND YOU ARE DRIVING 65-76 MPH. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 60-75 MPH. THIS VEHICLE HAD 2 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. ALL TIRES HAD THE RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE IN THEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTANT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA ID

10808615

Incident

Dec 2, 2015

Mileage

91 mi