2016 Ram 3500: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 16 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
133
Complaints
16
Recalls
12
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
6
Injuries
94.7
Severity index
Severity index 94.7 - 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 3500 ranks 38 of 140 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 73% of its model-year peers. See the full 2016 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 28 | 21.1% |
| ENGINE | 21 | 15.8% |
| WHEELS | 20 | 15.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 19 | 14.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 16 | 12.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12 | 9.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 | 7.5% |
| SUSPENSION | 9 | 6.8% |
The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 28 of 133 complaints (21.1%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 4 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.5x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V021000 | 25/01/2019 | STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. |
| 18E096000 | 16/10/2018 | STEERING:LINKAGES | Streetcar ORV LLC (Streetcar) is recalling certain American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) 3" Dualsport aftermarket suspension kits, part numbers N0436000 and N0436001, sold for installation on 2013-2018 RAM 2500 and 3500HD trucks. Improper installation and machining of the original |
| 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 |
| 21V398000 | 27/05/2021 | WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel s |
| 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 |
| 17V499000 | 10/08/2017 | WHEELS | Streetcar ORV LLC, dba American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks, modified by AEV to be equipped with cast aluminum Katla 8.5" road wheels. The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss. |
| 17V824000 | 21/12/2017 | EQUIPMENT | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. Th |
| 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 |
| 17V562000 | 12/09/2017 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant. |
| 16V495000 | 01/07/2016 | POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main o |
| 15V592000 | 23/09/2015 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) m |
| 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 |
| 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.