2016 Ram 5500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Ram 5500 has 17 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 71, ranking 5th worst of 15 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, driven mainly by suspension, wheels and tires problems.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 71/100
- #5 of 15 5500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2016 Ram 5500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (47%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (35%)
- Steering3 (18%)
- Electrical System2 (12%)
- Brakes1 (6%)
- Engine1 (6%)
- Other1 (6%)
- Structure & Body1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear wheels or dual tires have detached while driving at low speed after lug nuts or studs sheared off.
- Front wheel bearings have fractured and separated from the vehicle without warning.
- The transfer case has failed and broken apart at highway speed, in one case starting a fire.
- Steering has become unresponsive at highway speed, causing the truck to sway side to side until the driver slowed down.
- Electrical wiring corrosion behind the fusebox has caused steering column functions to fail and dash warning lights to trigger.
- The transmission has parked-rolled unexpectedly even with the vehicle in park, requiring the parking brake to hold it.
2016 Ram 5500 recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V398000May 27, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires447,985 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Risk: Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
- NHTSA 18V332000May 17, 2018Electrical System4,815,661 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
- NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles
Equipment
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
2016 compared with other 5500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ram 5500 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 17 complaints and a complaint index of 71 for the 2016 Ram 5500, ranking it 5th worst among 15 model years covered, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other 5,500 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Ram 5500?
- Suspension, wheels and tires issues are the top problem area, making up 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 120,000 and 2 crashes reported.
- Does the 2016 Ram 5500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ram 5500, covering suspension lug nut torque specs, electrical/ECM issues, transfer case replacement, and Cummins engine water pumps.
- How does the 2016 Ram 5500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 71, the 2016 model ranks better than the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Avoid years (79, 93, and 86) but worse than most other years, including 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021.