2016 Ram 1500 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2016 Ram 1500 include 5 fatality reports, 90 crashes and 35 fires across 1,531 filings.

1,531
Complaints
17
Recalls
90
Crash reports
35
Fire reports
72
Injuries
86.3
Severity index

Severity index 86.3 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 86.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 27 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 81% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

SteeringSteering: 308 complaints (20.1%)308 20%EngineEngine: 291 complaints (19.0%)291 19%Service BrakesService Brakes: 274 complaints (17.9%)274 18%Power TrainPower Train: 202 complaints (13.2%)202 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 191 complaints (12.5%)191 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 188 complaints (12.3%)188 12%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 126 complaints (8.2%)126 8%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 110 complaints (7.2%)110 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STEERING30820.1%
ENGINE29119.0%
SERVICE BRAKES27417.9%
POWER TRAIN20213.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19112.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM18812.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1268.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1107.2%

Complaints filed per year

01202402016: 512017: 822018: 882019: 2312020: 1362021: 992022: 1012023: 1832024: 2082025: 2282026: 124 (partial year)1617181923120212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201651
201782
201888
2019231
2020136
202199
2022101
2023183
2024208
2025228
2026 (year to date)124
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.8x those in 2020 to 2022 (619 against 336).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V47500013/08/2020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESELChrysler (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
19V34700009/05/2019LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCHChrysler (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
18V48600027/07/2018STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATEChrysler (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
18V33200017/05/2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGChrysler (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
21V63200012/08/2021AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORChrysler (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
19V75700024/10/2019ENGINE 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
17V82100020/12/2017POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFTChrysler (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
17V19800023/03/2017POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNITChrysler (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.
17V30200009/05/2017AIR BAGSChrysler (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
16V30100016/05/2016POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTChrysler (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.
15V66300016/10/2015TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIREChrysler (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.
15V66100015/10/2015POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFTChrysler (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.
16V16700023/03/2016STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEMChrysler (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.
16E04100016/05/2016EQUIPMENTChrysler (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
22V40600009/06/2022FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPChrysler (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.
23V41100008/06/2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGChrysler (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
25V01000016/01/2025AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATORChrysler (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.

Other Ram 1500 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-04. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.