NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
This page covers 19 recalls, 1478 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Ram 1500.
15–22 mpg combined
10.7–15.7 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Steering is the top complaint category for the 2016 Ram 1500, with owners frequently describing the electric power steering becoming stiff or difficult to turn, sometimes suddenly while driving. Engine complaints are the second-largest group, and a recurring thread involves power loss and reduced speed, often accompanied by warning lights tied to the emissions or exhaust system, a pattern that shows up repeatedly in EcoDiesel reports where the truck limits itself to well below normal highway speeds. Powertrain complaints round out the top three, with owners describing various drivability issues. A smaller but notable pattern involves the fuel system, where owners report the fuel gauge reading empty despite a full tank, sometimes also causing emissions test failures.
1,478
Total Complaints
89
Crash-Related
35
Fire-Related
52
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 RAM 1500 has 19 recalls, with the most serious concerns spanning drivetrain failures, an engine fire risk on diesel models, and curtain airbag inflators that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin.
Several recalls cluster around drivetrain integrity. Front halfshafts can fracture without warning, damaging underbody components and throwing debris into traffic. A loose differential pin retaining screw can cause the rear differential to break or lock up, cutting drive power or causing a loss of vehicle control. On a narrow production window, rear axle shafts can fracture and cause a wheel to separate. Diesel-equipped trucks (3.0L engine) carry their own set of concerns: a cracked EGR cooler can allow coolant vapor into the intake and ignite a fire, a failing crankshaft position sensor component can cause the engine to stall without warning, and a high-pressure fuel pump failure can starve the engine of fuel and cause sudden power loss.
On the safety systems side, two separate curtain airbag inflator recalls cover ruptures that can propel end caps or metal fragments at occupants. Off-road driving or debris impacts can also trigger a fault that disables rollover curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners entirely. The column shifter can be moved without the brake pedal or ignition key, creating a rollaway risk, and a cruise control software defect can prevent the system from deactivating. Power steering on certain build dates can short out and require significantly more effort to steer, particularly at low speeds.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The right and left side curtain air bags may rupture due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected side curtain air bags at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization of fuel injector timing and camshaft operation, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software to restore proper engine operation at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can fail and release debris into the fuel system, which may block fuel flow and cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump and inspect and replace other fuel system parts if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag inflatable curtain inflator may have a detached end cap or a ruptured sidewall, potentially preventing proper air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the side air bag inflatable curtain assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may separate into layers, causing the engine to lose synchronization between fuel injector timing and camshaft timing, which can result in engine stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software to read the camshaft position signal if the crankshaft position signal is lost, maintaining engine operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The EGR cooler can crack, allowing hot vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may ignite inside the intake manifold.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it if needed. Both services are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture, causing the power locking tailgate to unlatch and open while the truck is driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the tailgate latch at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tailgate actuator limiter tab can fracture, causing the power locking tailgate to unlatch and open while the truck is moving.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the tailgate actuator limiter tab at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Holding the brake pedal down for extended periods while parked may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock pin to stick open, allowing the transmission to shift out of Park without pressing the brake or turning on the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the software, inspect the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock, and replace it if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Off-road driving or debris impact may cause the roll rate sensor to trigger a fault in the restraint controller, disabling the rollover side curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the restraint controller software at no cost to restore airbag and pretensioner function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A screw that holds the differential pin in place may loosen, causing the rear axle differential to lock up or fail. This stops the vehicle from moving and increases crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the screw and replace it if loose or damaged. If needed, the entire rear axle assembly will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The screw that holds the differential pin in place may loosen while driving, which could cause the differential to break or become locked.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front halfshafts may have been incorrectly manufactured and could fracture without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front halfshafts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some front halfshafts have a material hardening defect that may cause them to break, damaging undercarriage parts or separating and creating a road hazard.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front halfshafts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contamination on the Electric Power Steering control circuit board may cause an electrical short, resulting in loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Electric Power Steering unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire may be missing its protective heat shield, which can cause the tire to overheat and potentially fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a missing heat shield. Vehicles with over 50 miles will also have the spare tire replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles with 5.7L dual exhaust engines may be missing the heat shield that protects the spare tire. Without this shield, heat can damage the spare tire, potentially causing rapid air loss if it's used.
What the fix does
Dealers will check for the heat shield. If it's missing, they will install a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle may have been improperly heat treated during manufacturing, which can weaken the axle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your rear axle and replace the axle assembly if needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
