2016 Ram 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Ram 2500 has 258 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th worst out of 14 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Engine (28% of complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (25%) as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 69/100
- #5 of 14 2500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 258
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 1
Top 2016 Ram 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine71 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain64 (25%)
- Steering43 (17%)
- Electrical System40 (16%)
- Brakes36 (14%)
- Other34 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires22 (9%)
- Structure & Body15 (6%)
- Fuel System12 (5%)
- Airbags11 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed frontal and side collisions, in one case blamed on missing springs in the airbag assembly.
- Some trucks lost power or stalled while decelerating or accelerating, including a report of a 3-second delay before acceleration that caused near misses.
- Owners describe the transmission failing to increase speed when the accelerator was pressed, sometimes with the check engine light staying on.
- Brakes reportedly failed suddenly while driving around 35 mph, forcing drivers to use the emergency brake to stop.
- At least one owner reported the gear shift moving to reverse but the truck continuing forward, resulting in a crash.
- A regeneration process warning came on with extreme exhaust heat noted by one owner.
2016 Ram 2500 recalls
12 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 21V632000Aug 12, 2021Airbags212,373 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Ram 1500 Classic, 2015-2016 Ram 3500, and Ram 2500 vehicles, and 2016 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 10,000 lbs. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
- 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.
2016 compared with other 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ram 2500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 258 complaints for the 2016 Ram 2500 with a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th worst among 14 model years. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other Ram 2500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ram 2500?
- Engine complaints account for 28% of reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 25%, Steering at 17%, and Electrical System at 16%.
- Does the 2016 Ram 2500 have airbag recalls?
- Yes, it is covered by two airbag recalls: campaign 25V010000 for side curtain airbag inflators that may rupture, and campaign 21V632000 for side air bag inflator assemblies.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ram 2500, covering airbags, steering, structure and body, electrical, and transmission components.
- Is the 2016 Ram 2500 better or worse than other years?
- Its complaint index of 69 ranks 5th worst out of 14 model years, worse than 2013, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, but better than 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2022, which carry Avoid verdicts.