YearToAvoid

2016 Ram 1500 Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 279 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, 18% of that year's 1,541 total complaints. The median mileage at failure is 65,000. One recall (22V406000) covers a related high-pressure fuel pump issue.

Fuel System complaints
279
18% of 1,541
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
65,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Fuel gauge and fuel level sensor display inaccurate readings, sometimes showing empty or full when the tank level is different.
  • Truck loses power or shuts down at highway speed, often near 65 mph, with the check engine and electronic throttle control lights coming on.
  • Fuel filter and injectors appear to clog, causing the truck to lose speed or downshift without warning.
  • High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures lead to hard starting or no-start conditions after dealer repairs.
  • Fuel leaks near the exhaust or DEF lines have been linked to under-hood fires, including one reported shortly after the 22V406000 recall repair.

When 2016 Ram 1500 fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 2, 2017, latest Sep 21, 2026.

2016 Ram 1500 fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter262017 Q12018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
279 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (26).

Fuel System recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500

  1. 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.

Fuel System complaints by 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201350 (4%)
  2. 2014275 (16%)
  3. 2015236 (16%)
  4. 2016279 (18%)
  5. 2017129 (15%)
  6. 2018139 (21%)
  7. 2019103 (7%)
  8. 202075 (12%)
  9. 202196 (14%)
  10. 202280 (13%)
  11. 202318 (9%)
  12. 20246 (8%)
  13. 202523 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2016 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 279 Fuel System complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, which is 18% of the 1,541 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2016 Ram 1500?
Yes. Recall 22V406000 covers a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) that can introduce debris into the fuel system on certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0L diesel engines. Dealers replace the HPFP and inspect other fuel system components free of charge.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up on the 2016 Ram 1500?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Fuel System complaints on the 2016 Ram 1500 is 65,000 miles.
Are the fuel system issues dangerous?
NHTSA records tied to this complaint area for the 2016 Ram 1500 include 2 crashes, 5 fires, and 1 injury among the 279 complaints filed.
How does the 2016 Ram 1500 compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
The 2016 model's 279 fuel system complaints and 18% share are higher than most other years listed, including 2019 (103 complaints, 7% share) and 2023 (18 complaints, 9% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.