Is the 2016 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,564 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500 are in line with other 1500 years. Steering, brakes, fuel system and 2 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 1500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 316 (20%) | 50k–100k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 286 (18%) | 37k–108k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 284 (18%) | 46k–106k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 111 (7%) | 31k–65k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 68 (4%) | 26k–70k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 344 (22%) | 44k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exhaust | 10 (1%) | 61k–132k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 204 (13%) | 11k–56k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 194 (12%) | 14k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 49 (3%) | 12k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 36 (2%) | 30k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (1%) | 2k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 14 (1%) | 4k–25k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seat belts | 13 (1%) | 20k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,564 complaints: 92 mention a crash · 36 mention a fire · 53 report an injury · 111 say the car was towed.
189 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Another Ram ecodiesel post-aem safety concern. Did the aem recall and instantly became a safety hazard in traffic.
Ram ecodiesel recall. My post aem emissions flash has created a significantly impaired vehicle with unpredicatable acccelleration and engine response.
Since the FCA ECM re-flash, my truck turbo lag is now deadly, when the engine gets past the turbo lag it will smoke the tires, but don't back off or you start all over again with turbo lag.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500: 17
The right and left side curtain air bag inflators may rupture due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged… If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
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 Restraint Controller (ORC). If this fault occurs, the rollover side curtain air bag and the seat belt pretensioner will be disabled from deploying. If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up. A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fracture without warning. A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
These Mopar canvas seat covers were sold through Chrysler dealerships beginning October 15, 2015. The seat covers can impede the deployment of the seat thorax airbags. If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
Contamination on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The affected vehicles may be missing a heat shield for the spare tire. Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire. When used, the damaged tire may have a tread separation or side wall rupture, resulting in a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles may have been built with rear axles that were incorrectly heat treated. If the rear axle shaft was not properly heated treated, it may fracture and a wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ram: 337
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ram 1500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle will exhibit a service transmission/check engine warning indicator for the following transmission
CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors
Dual EVAP System Extreme Duty Vapor Canister Filter Kit Customers operating fleet or severe/extreme duty gasoline vehicles in continuous dusty driving…
Throttle Blade Icing Service Fix Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power Steering
High pressure fuel pump failure
Vehicle Rollaway
Neighbouring years
2015 1500: 1,461 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2017 1500: 886 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 1500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All 1500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 2500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ram 1500 a bad year?
1,564 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 1500 years. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 1500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (316), brakes (286), fuel system (284), speed control (111), suspension (68).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 1500 have?
17 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 25V-010), Engine (NHTSA 23V-411), Fuel system (NHTSA 22V-406), Air bags (NHTSA 21V-632) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.