Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2016 Ram 1500 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
63about this part
Share
4%of 1,554 total for the year
Median mileage
101,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Ram 1500, 4% of the 1,554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2016 dodge Ram 1500. Attorney representing consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire after service center worked on the engine noises. Dealership refuses to cover additional repairs. Consumer seeks reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Also, the tire pressure light was on.”

NHTSA complaint #10933568, filed 2017-03, 2,800 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, oil was leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked engine oil cooler housing. The dealer replaced the engine oil cooler housing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #11480979, filed 2022-08, 154,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel. …”

NHTSA complaint #11672222, filed 2025-07, 56,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly sputtered and then lost motive power, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed. The mechanic stated that an error code was present, but had not provided the code to the contact. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired at that time. …”

NHTSA complaint #11702265, filed 2025-12, 216,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and towing a trailer, the contact heard a thud, after which the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft position sensor tone wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11555658, filed 2023-11, 120,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202562%
202310%
202241%
202141%
2020102%
2019181%
2018467%
2017324%
2016634%
2015634%
2014503%
201381%

Other parts of the 2016 Ram 1500

Steering
314 complaintsEngine
291 complaintsBrakes
282 complaintsFuel system
281 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
202 complaintsElectrical system
193 complaintsOther or unknown
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
111 complaintsSuspension
68 complaintsAir bags
49 complaintsBody and structure
36 complaintsForward collision avoidance
21 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Ram 1500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology