2016 Ram 1500 Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 438 engine complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, 28% of all 1,541 complaints filed for the year. The median mileage at failure was 62,000, and three related recalls cover crankshaft position sensor and EGR cooler failures on 3.0L diesel engines.
- Engine complaints
- 438
- 28% of 1,541
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 27
- Injuries reported
- 9
- Median mileage
- 62,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine loses power or stalls at highway speed, sometimes going into limp mode with a throttle control error.
- Smoke or fire appears at the engine compartment, in several cases starting from the top of the engine or the heater vents.
- A grinding noise from the engine accompanies low oil pressure and electrical warning lights before the vehicle stalls.
- EcoDiesel models lose power while towing, with dash warnings appearing suddenly before the truck coasts to a stop.
- Some owners report the fire followed a burning plastic smell or ticking noise from the motor just before failure.
When 2016 Ram 1500 engine complaints were filed
First complaint May 5, 2016, latest Sep 10, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500
- 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 20V475000Aug 13, 2020Engine58,016 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Chrysler (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 cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
- NHTSA 19V757000Oct 24, 2019Engine107,980 vehicles
Engine 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 inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
Engine complaints by 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine complaints on the 2016 Ram 1500?
- NHTSA lists 438 engine complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, which is 28% of the 1,541 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2016 Ram 1500 engine?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three related engine recalls covering 3.0L diesel models: campaign 23V411000 and 20V475000 for a crankshaft position sensor tone wheel issue, and 19V757000 for an EGR cooler that may crack.
- At what mileage do 2016 Ram 1500 engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 62,000 miles.
- Do the reported engine problems involve fires?
- NHTSA data for this engine complaint category on the 2016 Ram 1500 includes 27 fire reports, 8 crashes, and 9 injuries.