Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Ram 1500 problems

Owners filed 1,554 complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500 with NHTSA between Feb 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (314).

Complaints
1,554
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
92
Reported by owners
Fires
36
Reported by owners
Injuries
73
People reported injured
Deaths
5
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering314
  2. Engine291
  3. Service brakes246
  4. Power train202
  5. Electrical system193
  6. Fuel/propulsion system191
  7. Vehicle speed control111
  8. Fuel system, diesel81
  9. Suspension68
  10. Engine and engine cooling63
  11. Air bags49
  12. Structure36
  13. Service brakes, hydraulic31
  14. Forward collision avoidance21

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201651
201782
201888
2019231
2020136
202199
2022101
2023183
2024208
2025228
2026147

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

314 reports6 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“On my son's 2016 Dodge Ram 1500, he was driving and as he was turning into a gas station, his Electronic Power Steering (EPS) stopped working and he had to use much force to turn the wheel into the gas station. The steering wheel warning light came up on his dash and after several attempts of turning off/turning on the engine and removing the battery cables and putting them back, the EPS would not come back on. We did check the fuse from the positive battery terminal with a multimeter and the cable to the EPS still had power, to include fuse 78 in the fuse box. We check the wire under the engine to the EPS and found no issues with the wires.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11772391

Engine

291 reports2 crashes24 fires
“The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500 The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, occupied with her husband in the vehicle they could hear a knocking and shatter noise coming from the engine. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure, and they informed her they will give her cash value for the vehicle and they can run a report until warranty in cancel. The approximate failure mileage was 161,292.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2026EngineODI 11739278

Service brakes

246 reports9 crashes2 fires
“ABS Control Module stopped working ,leaving traction control and anti lock brakes inoperable. Parts are not available from dealers or after market manufacturers. This has been an on going problem with multiple year vehicles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Service brakesODI 11770388

Power train

202 reports34 crashes5 fires4 related recalls
“ABS control module has failed and the vehicle cannot shift into gear and will not move. Dealership verified failure and the part is on 2 to 3 year back order. Part also apparently cannot be repaired by a 3rd party due to the chips no longer being manufactured. Only way to repair and make the vehicle "operable" is to purchase a "used" module from another donor vehicle which is also suspect and potentially unsafe. A recall needs to be instituted to protect the safety of the public and vehicle owners. RAM and its owner Stellantis need to be held accountable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11758939

Electrical system

193 reports10 crashes7 fires1 related recall
“The ABS warning light,electronic stability/traction control warning light, and red Brake warning light are illuminated simultaneously on the instrument cluster. The combination of these warning lights concerns me because it appears to indicate a failure or malfunction involving the ABS/brake-control system. I am concerned that ABS, electronic stability control, and traction control functions may not operate properly during an emergency breaking or loss-of-traction event. I understand that owners of 2016 1500 vehicles have reported similar combinations of ABS, traction control ,and brake warning lights and have reported ABS-module failures. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this condition as a potential safety defect affecting 2016 Ram 1500 vehicles. I would like this complaint associated with my VIN and mileagefor purposes of identifying any trend involving ABS-module or brake-system failures. I have photographs showing the warning lights illuminated on my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11763501

Fuel/propulsion system

191 reports2 crashes5 fires
“Component or System Failed & Availability for Inspection: High-pressure fuel pump and common rail fuel injection system under NHTSA Recall 22V-406 (Recall Z46). The vehicle and all removed/affected components are grounded and available for inspection at Peterson CDJR in Boise, ID under Repair Order #46751. Safety Risk: Risk of sudden loss of motive power and engine stall while driving, creating collision hazards as defined under NHTSA Recall 22V-406. Chronological Timeline & Dealer Findings: July 5, 2024: Peterson CDJR performed Safety Recall Z46 (NHTSA 22V-406) Procedure A, replacing only the high-pressure fuel pump. September 2026 (RO #45520): Vehicle presented with an illuminated check engine light. Peterson CDJR diagnosed a faulty fuel pressure sensor and replaced the fuel rail and sensor for $2,809.45. September 2026 (RO #46751): Following a 55-mile test drive, Peterson CDJR technician verified the diesel fuel from the fuel tank tested completely clean. Inspection of the newly installed fuel rail sensor documented internal metallic debris actively circulating through the fuel system. September–October 2026: Peterson CDJR opened STAR Case #102997574.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769617
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.