2016 Ram 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 RAM 1500 most often report loss of power steering assist while driving or turning, and the 3.0L diesel trucks account for a second large cluster of stalling, fuel starvation and exhaust-related concerns. Brake and ABS module faults and engine valvetrain noise also appear repeatedly in the sample. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, with steering complaints appearing across a wide mileage range.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out or goes stiff

   Mentioned in 20 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn at speed or while turning, sometimes with a "Service Power Steering" or steering warning message, and often returning to normal after the vehicle is shut off and restarted. Several owners say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed the electric power steering module or rack and pinion and that the repair was costly, and some report being told their VIN was not covered by the related steering recall. A few describe the wheel locking briefly at low speed or while reversing. Reported from around 44,000 miles up past 170,000 miles, most often during low-speed turns but also at highway speeds.

   Recall 16V167000

   What to check: During a test drive, turn the wheel slowly at parking-lot speeds and watch for the steering warning message; ask whether the power steering module or rack has been replaced and whether the steering recall was ever applied to this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I experienced intermittent steering effort turning a corner,almost ran into pole when I could not turn onto my street. Mechanic said my steering rack failed. Truck has 44,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340185, filed 2020-07, 44,000 miles

   “When turning truck at low speeds wheel becomes very hard to turn, if truck is parked a couple days when I try to drive steering is very very stiff. Also when turning at low speeds steering wheel pulls in opposite direction alittle”

   NHTSA complaint #11320383, filed 2020-04, 65,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel stall, loss of power and fuel system debris

   • 130 complaints (8%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,284 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Diesel owners describe the truck hesitating, jerking or losing motive power, sometimes stalling outright at speed and failing to restart. Several mention a check engine light, reduced-power messages, and being told the high-pressure fuel pump sent debris through the system or that metal was found in the oil. Complaints frequently note that the truck sat at a dealer waiting for recall parts, and some report diagnostic fees charged while the recall repair was unavailable. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 160,000 miles, often during steady driving or acceleration from a stop.

   Recall 22V406000Recall 23V4110001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for written confirmation of which diesel emissions and fuel pump recalls have been completed, and request service records showing any fuel system or injector work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and stalled, almost causing a crash. The contact stated the vehicle was able to be restarted moments later. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained for the past six months, due to parts not being available. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11592842, filed 2024-06, 160,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message motive power reduced was displayed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11554193, filed 2023-11, 106,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS module and brake warning faults

   • 243 complaints (16%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe ABS, brake and traction control warning lights coming on together, sometimes with a message about checking the electronic braking system, and a dealer or shop diagnosing an internal ABS control module failure. Some owners report a hard or low brake pedal, and one describes the pedal going to the floor while stopping. Several say the module was on backorder or that parts were no longer available. Reported mostly between about 65,000 and 130,000 miles, often noticed while driving or after the truck sat parked.

   What to check: Check that no ABS or traction control lights stay on after startup, and ask whether the ABS module has been replaced or is still on the original part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the ABS, TPMS, trailer brake control unit, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the part to repair the vehicle was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11586552, filed 2024-05, 80,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the ABS control module warning light and the braking system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS control module needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,341.”

   NHTSA complaint #11618502, filed 2024-10, 126,341 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Stalling tied to a failed tone wheel

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes on a highway or while merging, with warning lights and a truck that will not restart. Several say the dealer diagnosed a delaminated crankshaft position sensor tone wheel and that the part needed replacing; some note the vehicle was towed and stayed at the shop awaiting repair. A few mention the related diesel engine recall and that parts were not yet available. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 150,000 miles, often while driving at highway speed.

   Recall 20V475000Recall 23V411000

   What to check: Ask whether the tone wheel recall work has been performed on this VIN and whether the truck has ever stalled or needed a tow for a no-start condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to overtake another vehicle, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact stated that the service throttle position sensor warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and the vehicle failed to start properly. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the tone wheel to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11501404, filed 2023-01, 162,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact called and referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V475000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving 60MPH, the vehicle shutoff and came to a complete stop in the passing lane. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The throttle body and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the tone wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer pending the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11537900, filed 2023-08, 99,700 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine tick, camshaft and lifter wear

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a light tapping or ticking noise that grows louder over time, sometimes with a rough idle, misfire codes or fluctuating rpm. Complaints say the dealer or an independent shop found worn camshaft lobes or lifters and quoted a substantial repair. A few diesel owners report repeated engine replacements after similar noise and power loss. Reported from around 40,000 miles upward, often after long highway use but also on trucks with regular dealer maintenance.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a steady tick at cold start and at idle, and ask whether any camshaft, lifter or engine replacement work has been done or quoted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Personally, just 3 weeks ago. My 3rd engine failed. It looks like they're going to put a 4th. I own a 2016 ecodiesel 4x4 big horn. Always taken it to the dealer for maintenance and never drove it rough and rarely towed. 1st engine went out at 55,747 miles. 2nd engine went out at 112,482 miles. 3rd engine went out at 144,806 miles ever since the 1st engine failure. I've tried to have them buy it back with FCA refusing everytime. After the 1st one. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11416818, filed 2021-05, 44,000 miles

   “Check engine light was on reading cylinder 8 misfire. Upon investigation from dealer and local repair shop, the issue is a failed camshaft and lifters. All maintenance was done on the truck by the dealership I purchased the truck. Truck only has 157k miles and had zero issues previous to my last oil change around june. Truck was running fine and then check engine light came on and then started running horrible. Truck was taking to dealer right away for inspection. Total repair for this is $5,500”

   NHTSA complaint #11351880, filed 2020-08, 156,000 miles

Buying note. Check the power steering behavior on a test drive and confirm which open recalls have actually been completed for the VIN, especially the steering, diesel tone wheel and fuel pump campaigns. Service records showing brake module, fuel system and valvetrain work are worth reviewing before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.