2016 Ram 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#3 most-complained of 13 1500 years
The 2016 Ram 1500 has a Complaint Index of 83, the 3rd-worst of 13 model years covered, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 1,541 complaints, 16 recalls, 90 crashes, and 5 deaths, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 28% of reports.
- Complaints
- 1,541
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes / fires
- 90 / 36
- Injuries / deaths
- 72 / 5
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 24 hwy
Top 2016 Ram 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine438 (28%)
- Steering310 (20%)
- Brakes283 (18%)
- Fuel System279 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain202 (13%)
- Electrical System199 (13%)
- Other128 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires87 (6%)
- Airbags47 (3%)
- Structure & Body44 (3%)
What owners report
- Rotary gear shifter reportedly jumps from park to drive or reverse on its own while the truck is parked, in some cases rolling into objects or people.
- Vehicles reportedly rolled away or backed into walls and garages after the driver believed the rotary shifter was set to park.
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during rollover and frontal crashes despite visible vehicle damage.
- One owner reported a fire starting in the engine compartment while the truck was parked outside, unrelated to a crash.
- A seat belt reportedly failed to retract during a rear-end collision, allowing the driver to strike the steering wheel.
2016 Ram 1500 recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V010000Jan 16, 2025Airbags6,066 vehicles
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.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
- NHTSA 23V411000Jun 8, 2023Engine80,629 vehicles
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 and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
- NHTSA 22V406000Jun 9, 2022Fuel System138,645 vehicles
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.
Risk: Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
2016 Ram 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Midgrade
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ram 1500 reliable?
- Relative to other Ram 1500 model years, 2016 ranks poorly. Its Complaint Index of 83 is the 3rd-worst of 13 years NHTSA has data for, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2016 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues lead at 28% of complaints (438 reports, median mileage 62,000), followed by Steering at 20% and Brakes at 18%.
- Does the 2016 Ram 1500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500, covering airbags, engine crankshaft sensors, fuel system components, and tailgate latches, with none marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2016 Ram 1500 compare to other years?
- 2016 is worse than 2017 (Complaint Index 50, Caution), 2018 (17, Best), and 2020-2024, but slightly better than 2014 (92) and 2019 (100), which are also Avoid years.
- How many crashes and deaths are linked to the 2016 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA data shows 90 crashes, 36 fires, 72 injuries, and 5 deaths reported for the 2016 Ram 1500.