2016 Ram 1500
The Verdict
The 2016 Ram 1500 has 1,496 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (544 complaints) and body (469 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 5/100, it earns a "Total Klunk" rating. If you're shopping for a Ram 1500, consider the 2020 model year which has 59% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2020 has 59% fewer complaints
View the 2020 Ram 1500 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Total Klunk
Among the most complained-about vehicle years on record. Strongly consider alternatives.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 ...
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 1-800-85...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 1500 trucks with a 5.7L engine and dual exhaust manufactured August 3, 2015, to August 10, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing...
Risk
Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire. When used, the damaged tire may have a tread separation or side wall rupture, resulting in a loss of control and an i...
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a spare tire heat shield if the vehicle is missing one. Vehicles that have already been sold with an excess of 50 miles will also have their s...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured February 19, 2016, to March 3, 2016. The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured causing them to fractu...
Risk
A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chry...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 1500 trucks. The differential pin retaining screw may come loose while driving, potentially causing the differential to break or lock up.
Risk
A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at ...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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See how the 2016 Ram 1500 stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
Dodge Ram has know about issues with Antilock Braking System (ABS) for 2016-2018 RAM 1500's for several years, going back to as far as 2022 and RAM (Stellantis) has acknowledged wide spread issues by 2023. Ram (Stellantis) has pulled the original OEM ABS module from the marktet entirely and have basically done nothing to provide a solution to the customer. There proprietary does not allow the vehicle to go into gear and the vehicle basically becomes a $30,000 boat anchor. There are approximately 2,409 RAM dealerships in the US and approximately 2,364 Dodge dealerships in the US. I have call dealerships in NC, VA, NY, and even FL and all have told me that the part is on back order and that each dealership has any where from 20 to 30 back orders for this part. Based on that, there could be 95,000+ to 143,000+ vehicles on the road with unsafe ABS systems and RAM is doing nothing about it. RAM has had a had a few other issues with ABS module with a recall of over 1.2 Million RAM 1500's from 2019, 2021-2024 and a second for 317,000 RAM 2500, 3500, 4500 and 5500 for ABS issues. With that said, how is the state of North Carolina or even the United States allowing RAM trucks to even be on the road if that many are unsafe and RAM, after knowing about issues for years still allowed to sell RAM trucks.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS, traction control, and several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the failure was persistent. Additionally, while attempting to shift into drive(D), the gear shifter failed to shift into drive(D) as intended. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was common. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 96,000.
The vehicle was previously repaired under Recall Z46, but the replacement remedy pump suffered the exact same catastrophic internal failure. The vehicle has now been stranded at Orange Coast Ram for over 30 days under Work Order 156725. RAM Corporate Case Management (Case 96867451) is actively refusing to authorize the subsequent recall repair, explicitly stating in writing that corporate has 'no internal channels to obtain approvals,' effectively denying the legally mandated federal safety remedy.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the brake, ABS, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated, and the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted for parts and informed that the part was on back order. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing ABS module failure for approximately two years. The contact stated that the failure could cause the wheels to lock up while driving. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle had been on back order for 4 years. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of failure, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,200.
Vehicle was in a front end collision and the air bags never deployed. Approximate speed 40-45 mph
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer remained at 0 MPH and failed to accurately display the speed of the vehicle. The ABS, traction control, and cruise control features were disabled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the ABS module had failed and needed to be replaced. The parts were on back order and the dealer estimated that it might take 10 months to a year for parts to become available. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, JTs Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Lexington (4838 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072); and confirmed that parts were still on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, and confirmed that parts were not yet available, and further assistance could not be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
ABS Module failure causing multiple warning lights on my dashboard. My truck no longer has working ABS or cruise control because of it. Took it to a Ram dealer and they said they do not have the part available to fix it because it is being “re-engineered.” That was almost 2 years ago. They had to recall this part in the newer generation Rams and I’m assuming it’s probably the same part that is in my truck. The answer I got from the dealer was “don’t follow to closely now” basically saying I’m shit out of luck. I know many others who have this issue and have had no support from Ram whatsoever. This is a known widespread issue in my generation of RAM trucks and this is absolutely a safety issue. My brakes have locked up twice in braking situations since this went bad. They need to acknowledge that this is a problem like they did in their newer trucks and fix it. I know many would even pay to fix it at this point but there are not even parts available to get it done.
ABS light has come one. There are no anti lock brakes or cruise control. This is a safety concern. There needs to be a recall and parts available to repair. I've been waiting for over 4 months and no part or timing for a part
2016 RAM 1500 pickup truck has several warning to include check engine light, ABS light, traction control light, ABS Brake service require, 4x4 service required, electronic throttle control and brake light comes on and vehicle no longer has anti-lock brake or traction control capability. Issue has been on going for several months with numerous calls to dealer for the replacement of the ABS control module who eventually transferred me to RAM corporate for further escalation of the issue of no parts in system to fix problem. I have called additional dealers in New York, Virginia, Florida and they have all told me that they have outstanding orders in the 30+ range for vehicles with the same issue. Based on what I have found online and in discussions with those dealerships, if you extrapolate those numbers over more then 4,700 Ram or Dodge dealerships in the United states, there are potentially over 100,000 RAM 1500's on the roads today that have the potential of a major Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) issue or failure. From what I found out from talking with dealerships and Ram Corporate, they have not been addressing the issue very much in regards to having replacement parts for a issue they have know about for years. In fact, RAM/Dodge have had issues with there RAM 2500/3500 series where FCA issued a recall for certain 2017–2018 Ram 2500/3500 trucks (NHTSA campaign #24V896000, recall #C4B). I have a order number and FCA case number is that is required for additional information. My issues have been ongoing for approximately 6-7 months and ended on 31 May 2026 when all the lights started flashing and then the vehicle would not move, but would run. Electronic system locked it from going in gear.
Service Power Steering alerted. Power steering is out. Took truck to shop, shop recommended I take to dealership for a recall that was issued for EPS recall. Believe my truck just so happens to have been built some months outside the window the manufacturer claims were impacted vehicles. Awfully suspicious. I have not yet taken vehicle to dealership but wanted to document this consumer report as soon as I could.
Electronic power steering failure. Not complete shut down, but intermittent. Heavy steering feel when cornering at very low or highway speeds. No return to center. Notchy/sticky steering feel. No eps warning light. No electronic failure ie fuse, relay, control. Works fine today, cuts out tomorrow.
While driving the electric steering modular let go, making it difficult to steer. It’s currently at my mechanics not drivable. Just strange that this lets go on my vehicle as the recall happens and I was told it doesn’t effect my vehicle!
Intermittent abs brake light on return trip in June 2025 diagnosed as a bad abs module. Dealer did not have any stated on back order, now almost a year later as of 5/20/26 Jim Browne Chrysler still states module on back order. And as you know there are no aftermarket parts for replacement. With this issue it keeps other functions of the truck from working. This has been way too long for the government to allow this company to treat us this way.
The ABS Module in my truck went out also causing no speedometer readings. The dealership at Dodge confirmed it needs to be replaced as well as a failing fuel pump. They have had my truck since April 7th 2026. Today as of writing is May 22nd. They keep moving my estimated date for part arrival constantly. Two months and I am still out of my vehicle. Being handicapped and my wheelchair lift is attached to the truck that I need to be able to use to goto my doctor's visits and appointments. They keep stonewalling me and now they said they ordered it from another source but getting the same information but want me to pay the difference from the warranty willingness to pay. Just a total nightmare here.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500 The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, occupied with her husband in the vehicle they could hear a knocking and shatter noise coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure, and they informed her they will give her cash value for the vehicle and they can run a report until warranty in cancel. The approximate failure mileage was 161,292.
The contact owns a 2015 Dodge Ram. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph the power steering. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,800.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the customer. The contact stated while the customer was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The vehicle was uncontrollable. The customer's vehicle drove on a sidewalk. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic power steering module. In addition, the contact stated that the electronic steering module was filled with water. The contact stated that the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) was performed on the VIN two years ago. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The contact, who is the independent mechanic, stated that the recall repair was not performed properly. In addition, the contact stated that the electronic power steering module seal was partially sealed during the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,667.
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated while the contact's husband was driving at 75 MPH, the engine seized. In addition, several warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was seized in the middle of a busy highway. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a delaminated tone wheel. The contact was informed that the tone wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received a recall notification, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The vehicle was driving down the highway at highway speed when it began to shut down. This put myself & other drivers at serious risk as I had to navigate several lanes of traffic with a dead vehicle. When I took it to the dealer, the dealer stated that the vehicle crankshaft position magnetic tone sensor had broken off and was no longer sending the tones to the crank shaft position sensor. The vehicle has a 66A recall on it where it mentions a 73A recall which states for certain vehicles the tone wheel can be replaced. But for some reason our vehicle and vin number is not included. The 66A recall makes a statement about having a software update but we were never given an information about this recall prior to having this issue.
1496 total