2016 Ram 1500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 1,506 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 17 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
1,506
Complaints
17
Recalls
90
Crash reports
35
Fire reports
72
Injuries
89.4
Severity index
Severity index 89.4 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 140 2016 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2016 Ram 1500 ranks 43 of 140 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 69% of its model-year peers. See the full 2016 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 301 | 20.0% |
| ENGINE | 291 | 19.3% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 258 | 17.1% |
| POWER TRAIN | 200 | 13.3% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 187 | 12.4% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 184 | 12.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 125 | 8.3% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 105 | 7.0% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 301 of 1,506 complaints (20.0%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 82 |
| 2018 | 88 |
| 2019 | 231 |
| 2020 | 136 |
| 2021 | 99 |
| 2022 | 101 |
| 2023 | 183 |
| 2024 | 208 |
| 2025 | 228 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 99 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.8x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V475000 | 13/08/2020 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and |
| 19V347000 | 09/05/2019 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. 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 f |
| 18V486000 | 27/07/2018 | STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while d |
| 18V332000 | 17/05/2018 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger |
| 21V632000 | 12/08/2021 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from |
| 19V757000 | 24/10/2019 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L 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 insid |
| 17V821000 | 20/12/2017 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with |
| 17V198000 | 23/03/2017 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up. |
| 17V302000 | 09/05/2017 | AIR BAGS | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and 2014-2016 Ram 3500 vehicles. 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 Restrain |
| 16V301000 | 16/05/2016 | POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured February 19, 2016, to March 3, 2016. The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fracture without warning. |
| 15V663000 | 16/10/2015 | TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 1500 trucks with a 5.7L 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. |
| 15V661000 | 15/10/2015 | POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured June 17, 2015, to September 28, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated. |
| 16V167000 | 23/03/2016 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to September 13, 2015. Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist. |
| 16E041000 | 16/05/2016 | EQUIPMENT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling aftermarket Mopar Canvas Seat Covers for certain 2012-2016 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat |
| 22V406000 | 09/06/2022 | FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. |
| 23V411000 | 08/06/2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses a |
| 25V010000 | 16/01/2025 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Ram 3500, Ram 1500, 2016-2020 Ram 2500, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.