Is the 2016 Ram 2500 a bad year?
260 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 64, 3.8× a quiet 2500 year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 11k–40k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 2500 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 26,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 64 (25%) | 11k–40k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 43 (17%) | 18k–59k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 57 (22%) | 2k–31k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 38 (15%) | 9k–33k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 17 (7%) | 9k–41k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 12 (5%) | 6k–68k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 12 (5%) | 14k–55k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Brakes | 35 (13%) | 34k–101k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 26,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 260 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 14 say the car was towed.
19 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
Dead pedal , if I start accelerating from a stop and notice I cannot make it, let off the gas and reapply, there is a long delay for acceleration.
Driving 73 MPH and loud 'explosion' and violent shake came from center of truck. Close to lithia Dodge in bryan tx.
Purchased 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 laramie, mega cab - noticeable vibration at highway speeds between 60-80MPH - at certain speeds it's constant, at other speeds it's intermittent.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 26,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Ram 2500: 14
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 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 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 outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate. A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Improper installation and machining of the original equipment steering knuckle may weaken the joint between the steering drag link and knuckle. The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a 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.
A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
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.
These water pumps may leak coolant. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The outer surface of the wheel may fracture, resulting in rapid air loss. If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of 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.
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.
In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning. An engine that stalls without warning increases 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: 304
Repair instructions Ram sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Ram 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illumination, Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P21C4 - (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) Reductant Line Heater Control Circuit High…
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
WiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Failure
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Steering loss due to linkage separation
Neighbouring years
2015 2500: 215 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2017 2500: 699 complaints, keep it.
Every Ram 2500 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 2500 years side by side
Other Ram models: Ram 1500 · Ram 3500 · Ram 5500 · Ram Promaster. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Ram 2500 a bad year?
260 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 64, 3.8× a quiet 2500 year. At 26,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 11k–40k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (64), steering (43), engine (57), electrical system (38), speed control (17). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 11k–40k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 2500 have?
14 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 25V-010), Air bags (NHTSA 21V-632), Latches and locks (NHTSA 19V-347), Steering (NHTSA 19V-021) 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.