2016 Ram 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about a lag in throttle response when pulling away, steering problems tied to the drag-link recall repair, transmission shifting complaints, and brake hardware failures. Many reports come in at low mileage, with roughly half of the sampled complaints filed under 25,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Drag-link recall work and steering alignment

   • 42 complaints (16%)
   • median 36,002 mi at 3.8 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $850 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the recall on the steering drag link being handled by welding the adjuster sleeve, which they say leaves the linkage unable to be aligned later. Complaints mention the steering wheel sitting off center, the truck pulling right at highway speed, and in some cases loose linkage or a fractured welded nut found after the repair. Some report the vehicle pulling or wandering even after the campaign was performed, and dealers reportedly declined alignment work. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 130,000 miles, most often after the recall repair was completed.

   Recall 19V0210001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether campaign 19V021000 was completed and by what method, and have a shop check whether the drag link and tie rod connections allow a normal alignment before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have tried many times to get these numerous safety recall complied with and get no follow up from my local dealer! I took it in for a scheduled appointment and was told parts were on order. It's been far to long, I have checked in numerous times and get no help. Please find a place that can make my vehicle safe or make them buy it back from me! I don't want to die, or kill an innocent family!”

   NHTSA complaint #11301069, filed 2020-01, 15,000 miles

   “Received a recall earlier this year in ref. To my 2016 Ram 2500 diesel. The steering drag link could come loose and cause an accident. A few months ago I was sent another notice that the repairs have begun. It was suppose to be a 2 hours fix and I was directed to take it to the dealership. On july14, 2019 I called ourisman dodge Ram jeep of bowie maryland and made an appointment for the repair for july 23, 2019 at 8:20 hours. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11234651, filed 2019-07, 7,500 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Dead throttle pedal / delayed acceleration

   • 43 complaints (17%)
   • median 11,000 mi at 1.6 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Complaints describe a pause of several seconds between pressing the accelerator and the truck moving, most often after lifting off and getting back on the pedal, or when pulling out into traffic from a stop. Several owners say the pedal felt unresponsive and then the truck surged or broke traction. Replacing the throttle body or repairing a wiring harness clip fixed some cases; others were told the behavior was normal. Mostly reported under 15,000 miles, often at low speed or when accelerating from a standstill.

   Recall 18V332000

   What to check: During a test drive, try lifting off the throttle and immediately reapplying it from a stop on a safe empty road, and ask whether the throttle body or pedal wiring has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2016 Ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 6.4 liter v8 - my truck is 5 months old with 4,500 miles on it. I have had this problem two times so far. I would be driving and the check engine and throttle positioning sensor warning lights come on. The truck would lose acceleration and sometimes the truck would accelerate on it's own and could drive itself on the road (sometimes surging). I have had it tot the dealership two times so far. The first time they replaced the throttle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10915910, filed 2016-10, 4,500 miles

   “I was driving down a 4 lane highway and slowed down to traffic in front of me to approx ten miles per hour and pushed the throttle pedal to find it did nothing at all. I panicked and hit the pedal 4 times to the floor and back and had nothing and the. The fifth times a small 4 seconds later it jerked and spun the rear tires breaking the traction loose on the wet pavement and making the truck fishtail sideways into the edge of the lane beside me. Scary and embarrassing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10992617, filed 2017-06, 4,507 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or missed transmission shifts

   • 34 complaints (13%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission failing to shift out of first, downshifting unexpectedly at highway speed, or jerking while towing a trailer. Several owners report a check engine light traced to the torque converter, with dealers replacing the valve body or diagnosing converter control faults without a lasting fix. Others mention the shift lever moving out of park or the truck moving in the wrong direction after a gear selection. Spread from about 7,000 to 230,000 miles, with several reports in the 50,000-100,000 mile range and while towing.

   Recall 17V8210003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Road-test through several up- and downshifts, ask whether the column-shift linkage campaign was done, and check for stored transmission codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had drive my 2016 Ram 2500 mega cab cummins diesel 4x4 to a place on a slight decline. I placed the transmission in park (column shift) and left the truck running. I had not applied the parking brake. Within a few seconds I noticed the truck beginning to roll downhill. I looked at the gear indicator and noticed it was in park. I stepped on the brake and the truck stopped. I released the brake and it began rolling forward again. I stepped on the brake again and the truck stopped. I grabbed the gear selector and it would not move. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11098310, filed 2018-05, 20,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. While the contact's girlfriend was driving the vehicle, the gear shift lever was placed in the reverse position, but the vehicle accelerated forward. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a mobile home and a portable shed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the face and mid-section. The driver was transported by ambulance to the local hospital to seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11088432, filed 2018-04, 23,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling or loss of power while driving

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning, sometimes with a total loss of electrical power, headlights, and dash functions, and requiring a restart while rolling. Other reports mention intermittent no-starts, warning lights flashing, and window or steering-wheel-mounted switch failures. Dealers reportedly found no fault, replaced wiring harnesses, or attributed symptoms to unrelated codes. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 160,000 miles, at both low and highway speeds.

   Recall 15V592000Recall 18V3320001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ECM and battery sensor software campaigns were applied, and check that all electrical accessories and dash warning lamps work during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my vehicle yesterday. Today I was driving it is stalled as I was pulling out into traffic I restarted it it drove fine another two miles. At which time is stalled again with no lights, no indications on. Sounds like some noise comes from the air box. Some kind of air noise comes from the passenger side of the engine when it happened”

   NHTSA complaint #11337451, filed 2020-07, 155,000 miles

   “My 2016 Ram 1500 almost killed me this morning. Truck has 4,000 miles on it. At 4 am I was driving on I-10 east bound 170 miles from pensacola. Cruise was set at 78 and I was in the passing lane. The road was pitch black. Without any warning the engine lost power and all electrical. Headlights went dark dash board, etc. Needless to say I was panicked and managed somehow to make it to the right shoulder. After getting to the shoulder emergency flashers would not work everything was dead. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10863534, filed 2016-05, 4,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal or master cylinder failure

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 46,591 mi at 2.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little or no braking response, sometimes with brake, ABS, or traction warnings on the dash. In some complaints a front brake seized or a shock separated and cut a brake line. Dealers reportedly replaced ABS modules or diagnosed master cylinder failure, with parts sometimes unavailable or on back order. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, often while towing or at highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the pedal for a firm feel with the engine running, ask for brake fluid service records, and confirm the ABS module and master cylinder part numbers are available.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the street at 35 MPH when all of a sudden I lost my brakes. I had to swerve to avoid hitting another car and ended up on the sidewalk. I then pushed my emergency brake in to stop. I ran into a street sign and the front passenger quarter panel, light and mirror were damaged. Once I was able to get a tow to my office I realized that what had happened was the shock had broken off the axle and severed the brake line. This is the fourth time that this shock has come of the axle and dodge has done nothing to solve the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11118235, filed 2018-08, 53,000 miles

   “The vehicle was driving on the highway at around 60 MPH when the ABS and traction control warning lights came on. Immediately after the warning lights flashed on, the right front brake seized up followed by the left front brake. Vehicle skidded to a halt and was no longer drive-able due to the brakes being completely seized. This was extremely dangerous as there was no warning of the sudden stop and inability to fully control the movement of the vehicle. The vehicle could also not be moved further from the roadside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11355387, filed 2020-09, 82,000 miles

Buying note. Check that the steering drag-link campaign was completed and whether alignment is still possible, and drive the truck through slow-speed accelerator and transmission transitions before buying. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes and a brake fluid check are worth the cost on this model year.

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.