YearToAvoid

2016 Ram 1500 Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 44 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, about 3% of that year's 1,541 total complaints. Two related tailgate recalls (18V486000 and 19V347000) cover locking tailgate actuator and latch issues. Median mileage at failure was 43,500.

Structure & Body complaints
44
3% of 1,541
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
7
Median mileage
43,500 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Power locking tailgates drop open unexpectedly while driving, even after dealers replace latches.
  • Driver or passenger side windows detach from their track and fall into the door, sometimes in cold weather.
  • Underbody or seat-area electrical fires occur, filling the cabin with smoke, in one case under 20,000 miles.
  • Door hinges are reported as too weak to hold the rear door open, allowing wind to swing it shut on occupants.
  • Driver seats rock or slide backward and forward unexpectedly during acceleration, attributed to a design issue.

When 2016 Ram 1500 body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 6, 2016, latest Apr 17, 2026.

2016 Ram 1500 structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2016Jan 2018Sep 2018Jan 2020Jan 2021Feb 2023Oct 2024Dec 2025
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Apr 2026; peak Aug 2018 (3).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2016 Ram 1500

  1. NHTSA 19V347000May 9, 2019Structure & Body1,103,209 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. On August 29, 2019 Chrysler expanded the recall to include an additional 693,128 model year 2013-2014 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.

  2. NHTSA 18V486000Jul 27, 2018Structure & Body1,149,223 vehicles

    Structure:body:tailgate

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.

Structure & Body complaints by 1500 model year

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

  1. 201352 (4%)
  2. 201452 (3%)
  3. 201559 (4%)
  4. 201644 (3%)
  5. 201746 (5%)
  6. 201826 (4%)
  7. 201995 (6%)
  8. 202047 (7%)
  9. 202133 (5%)
  10. 202222 (4%)
  11. 202312 (6%)
  12. 20243 (4%)
  13. 20254 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2016 Ram 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 44 Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500, which is about 3% of the 1,541 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Ram 1500 tailgate?
Yes. Recall 18V486000 covers a power locking tailgate actuator limiter tab issue on 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks, and recall 19V347000 covers a related tailgate latch problem on the same models plus other model years.
At what mileage do Structure & Body problems typically appear on the 2016 Ram 1500?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2016 Ram 1500 is 43,500 miles.
Did the Structure & Body issues on the 2016 Ram 1500 cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to Structure & Body complaints for the 2016 Ram 1500 shows 5 crashes, 3 fires, and 7 injuries.

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.