2016 Ram 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 291about this part
- Share
- 19%of 1,554 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 291 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Ram 1500, 19% of the 1,554 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 24 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On September 29, 2025, my vehicle overheated. Smoke was coming from the interior vents as well as from under the hood. I pulled over shortly after and had my vehicle towed to a repair shop. I got an estimate for radiator repair. That did not fix the issue, so more repair was needed related to a heating and evaporator core. I have attached the invoices for those repairs. I just wanted to note this for my records.”
NHTSA complaint #11717159, filed 2026-02, 130,524 miles“Since I've had the aem updated as part of the epa settlement I have delay when pressing the gas and acceleration, particularly when it is cold. There has also been a significant mpg drop although that isn't an immediate safety concern. This can be a particular issue when pulling into interchanges or on to the highway as acceleration is unpredictable.”
NHTSA complaint #11321304, filed 2020-04, 23,500 miles“Having an issue getting a recall completed, I have taken my vehicle on multiple occasions to different dealerships over the past year to get FCA recall vb1/NHTSA 19v-757 completed only to be told parts are not available. I have also tried to get FCA recall va7 completed as well only to be told they will do it when vb1 is completed. This is unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #11351301, filed 2020-08, 60,000 miles“I was driving on the highway, lost power, throttle control error comes on, truck went into limp mode, there are smokes out the back of the truck. I took the next exit to get off the highway. Turn into gas station and engine got cut off. When I pop the hood, saw fire from the top of the engine. I pour my drinks with ice, few water bottles, and my friends drink.”
NHTSA complaint #11245932, filed 2019-08, 79,000 miles“I bought my truck on the 25th at 6pm. And at 7p on the 26th it had caught fire on the highway and burnt ro the ground with me and my pregnant wife in the truck. I heard ticking coming from the motor followed by a loud pop and then lost all power no gas response and coasted to breakdown lane just barley got mi wife out of the truck and the truck was fully elguffed.”
NHTSA complaint #11258925, filed 2019-09, 66,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11021845Aug 7, 2025Verify Reman part number availability. Order the "R" part number for all orders: Warranty, Mopar, customer pay and service contract. Order "68" part number for New unsold units…
- 11014973Feb 26, 2025CEL (Check Engine Lamp) C006A-49 Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Internal Electronic Failure And C10CC-00 ESC Sensors.
- 10229077Mar 23, 2022Complete Engine Assembly Replacements Arriving Without Engine Wiring Harness.
- 10212336Mar 23, 2022Complete Engine Assembly Replacements Arriving Without Engine Wiring Harness.
- 10212290Mar 6, 2022Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter…
- 10219976Aug 24, 20213.0L Ecodiesel Engine Oil Information
- 10230029May 11, 2021Customer Complaint May Include Engine Oil Leak Or Consumption
- 10223257May 11, 2021Customer Complaint May Include Engine Oil Leak Or Consumption
- 10180203Aug 1, 2020No Start Intermittently, Vehicle Requires Multiple Keyless Push To Start Attempts To Start Vehicle
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 13% |
| 2025 | 76 | 21% |
| 2024 | 23 | 30% |
| 2023 | 46 | 23% |
| 2022 | 251 | 40% |
| 2021 | 276 | 40% |
| 2020 | 155 | 24% |
| 2019 | 233 | 16% |
| 2018 | 110 | 16% |
| 2017 | 156 | 18% |
| 2016 | 291 | 19% |
| 2015 | 335 | 23% |
| 2014 | 304 | 17% |
| 2013 | 123 | 10% |
| 2009 | 5 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ram 1500
314 complaintsBrakes
282 complaintsFuel system
281 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
202 complaintsElectrical system
193 complaintsOther or unknown
127 complaintsVehicle speed control
111 complaintsSuspension
68 complaintsEngine cooling
63 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