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EnginePart report

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 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261313%
20257621%
20242330%
20234623%
202225140%
202127640%
202015524%
201923316%
201811016%
201715618%
201629119%
201533523%
201430417%
201312310%
2009514%

Other parts of the 2016 Ram 1500

Steering
314 complaints
Brakes
282 complaints
Fuel system
281 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
202 complaints
Electrical system
193 complaints
Other or unknown
127 complaints
Vehicle speed control
111 complaints
Suspension
68 complaints
Engine cooling
63 complaints
Air bags
49 complaints
Body and structure
36 complaints
Forward 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