2016 Ram 1500 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
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The front gas tank strap mount on the frame rusted to the point the new one I purchased falls out of the frame. Some Rams have the recall applied mine shows zero. I have a strap to hold the tank up temporarily but I need a permanent fix.
I recently purchased this 2016 RAM 1500 from a family member. I was driving at highway speeds between 60-80 MPH in heavy rush hour traffic. The vehicle suddenly lost power & died at highway speeds. I was in the middle lane & almost crashed to the vehicle to my left & from behind as I intended to swerve to the median. Upon calling the dodge dealer from the side of the road, they confirmed that they had no available appointments to diagnose the issue for days, I had no control of the situation as i was stranded on the side of the road and needed to get the vehicle fixed, upon tow the the nearest diesel repair shop, it was diagnosed as a high pressure fuel pump and fixed at and out of pocket cost of $792.13. I was not aware this vehicle had an open recall (z46) as i just purchased it. Upon calling the dealer they informed the truck had a open recall, suggested I contact Mopar for reimbursement per there guidance. They directed me to the website. The claim was denied due to the fact that the work was not done at a certified RAM shop. I explained the circumstances to the case manager via email correspondence as this is the ONLY way they contact you to no outcome and a denial. . I was finally able to get an appointment with ram where the recall was fully addressed on there side. Mopar still refuses to cover the out of pocket expense even after I took it the dealership to get the recall done the way they requested it to be done.
I presently have 92,200 miles on my Doge Ram. I have experienced 3 fuel pump/fuel sender failures. The first at 18,947 miles, second at 43,634 miles and third at 92,263.This last fuel pump replacement will have the defective pump available for inspection after the repair work is done. The failure of a fuel pump/sender could lead to stalling, power loss and failure to start. These deficiencies could lead to traffic accidents resulting in property loss and bodily harm or even death. The warnings persisted until I had the parts replaced. Because of the number of times (3)and the low mileage , 18k,43k and 92k miles, it appears that the fuel pumps used in this model of Dodge Ram are either defective or inadequately engineered. These failures were preceded by and check engine warning light followed by a fuel sensor failure light and fuel gauge malfunction.
The front strap that holds the gas tank up broke loose from the frame rusting out.
Front gas tank strap is detached from frame and fuel tank is hanging down ready to fall out on road. There is a recall for this condition on the 2009-2012 models but the same condition exists on the 2016. Strap pulled through the corroded bracket welded to the truck frame. Dealer says it is not covered under the recall. Pictures in recall U04 NHTSA 18V-160 look just like my truck so I didn't attach any.
Fuel level sensor failed. Truck will randomly display false fuel levels. This causes the fuel level to be unknown leading the potential of running out gas and being stranded. Dealer says fuel pump needs replaced and is in the process of doing so. Dealer also stated this is a common issue on the Ram trucks.
I've read many problems with not being able to put fuel in the truck, I am experiencing that exact problem. You can't pump gas into the tank. The nozzle shuts off immediately, after .15 cents or so. No engine codes to help diagnose the problems.
See pictures. Also reference ODI 11691063 complaint. This ram should be added to the ram 2016 existing recall for fuel sensor recall.
The recall for high pressure pump came out in July of 2022. To this day there is no fix. They just put back in the same defective high pressure pump and it breaks down again leaving you stranded. Mine has been fixed twice since the recall. That is on average every 18 months.
Issue with the relay controlling the fuel pump located in the fuel tank(lift pump) When the relay stop working, the engine cannot be started or don't supply fuel to the High pressure fuel pump (HPFP) forcing to stop on the road. Could lead seriously to an unsafe situation like the HPFP can do. This issue can be reproduce easily by the dealer. No DTC or check engine ON for this type of issue. The dealer fix it yesterday and the damage was under the TIPM (Total integrated Power Module) The wires connectors under the relay were melted by overheat. This issue lead to an OFF and ON electrical contact between the fuel pump and the relay. This issue is largely documented over internet and can be fix for under 200$ usd with an external relay. But the first FCA option is to replace the TIPM board for 1200$ usd. Actually no recall for this major issue present in many FCA models since many years. The first time this issue happend was december 20, 2024. The date of repair is february, 12 2025. Between those two dates, I got the crank nostart problem many times.
Ever since I have owned the vehicle, the gas station fill nozzle randomly gets stuck when trying to fill the vehicle. I tried taking it to the dealer years back, but was told there was no fix. When the nozzle gets stuck, you really need to wiggle and pry to get it out, sometime spilling fuel outside the truck when it finally releases.
Have recall and have contacted dealership. But have not been resolved. I submitted a complaint here and have not gotten a response. Tracking number is 11611355.
Exhaust flange before the DPF, bolts sheared off and melted my DEF line, dealer replaced the DEF line $826 but made noone aware of the failed flange gasket or bolts
Question 1 The front fuel tank strap pulled out of its mount due to corrsion. The vehicle may be inspected request. Question 2 The tank could have fallen out before I noticed causing accident fire or injuries. Question 3&4 It has not been by the dealer or other entity. Question 5 There were no warning lights or messages other than a noise. On the afternoon of Aug 27 2024 I noticed an unusual noise under the vehicle during brakeing. Backing onto a set of ramps and conducting an inspection I found the full 30 gallon fuel tank hanging front end low only being held in by the rear strap. The noise was caused by the front fuel tank strap to intermittantly rubbing the drive shaft. The strap had pulled out of the slot in the frame due to heavy corrosion. The sprap is not able to be reinstalled in it mount location due to it being rusted out. Doing online research on how to repair this I found a recall for 2009-2012 Ram 1500s with the same problem. Safety Recall V04/NHTSA 18V-160 Frame Bracket. If I had not noticed the noise I may not have known about the tank strap until the tank actually fell out. This vehicle is used to haul personal items, tow a classic car, and transport family.
Front fuel strap corroded at frame of truck, causing fuel tank to fall while driving on highway
The safety recall for the 2016 RAM Ecodiesel is taking too long. The recall was issued in 2022 and it is now 2024. I want my HPFP replaced ASAP.
Fuel sensor failure, which means my fuel pump needs replacement. The fuel Guage drops to empty even after a fill up. It's impossible to drive not knowing how much gas I have. I have many friends with the exact same issue with their trucks. This is dangerous and should be recalled.
I had about 3/4 of a tank of gas. I noticed my fuel gauge go down to empty, and the low fuel light started blinking. It then when back up to about 3/4. It did this a couple of times until it stayed on empty, and the check engine light came on. The next time I started my truck, I got a "Fuel Sensor Fail" notification. I get that every time I start up. When I filled my tank, the gauge began to work again, but I still had a check engine light. I checked my codes, and had a P0463 code, which indicates a fuel sensor fail. I cleared the code, and the gauge worked for about a day and half. When I got to about 3/4 of a tank of gas again, it all happened again. I have about 78,000 miles.
Fuel tank bracket rusted through causing the fuel tank strap to detatch. Same exact issue as Safety Recall U04 / NHTSA 18V-160 Frame Bracket
Since we got this truck in 2021 it hard starts once it hits half a tank or 200 miles until empty. We have taken it to the mechanic several times just to be told the fuel pump recall was the problem finally got that recall fixed when yall come up with one and it’s still doing it. This recall has been fixed since June 2,2024 and this vehicle barely runs unless kept between 3/4 and full. This needs to be fixed.
I called dealship to schedule the repair of the "high pressure fuel pump" and was told I would be put on a "waiting list" which would be about two (2) YEARS! this is unacceptable to me. The service girl stated the reason being is they do not have "replacement parts" to do the repair and won't have them for two (2) years. I will continue to drive my vehicle and if it breaks down due to the above mentioned issue, it could be very costly for NHTSA to replace. If all vehicles follow this path, I would surmise this will be devastating to your budget. Please find a remedy to make the part available for repair and save us both time and money. Thank you for your time!
On the highway at 70mph, vehicle stuttered and lost all power. Engine light came on. On side of road vehicle would turn over but not start. Using code reader got codes cp026 and cp016 indicating low or no fuel pressure. Towed 35 miles to dealer. Discovered next day that fuel.pump had failed and sent debris into the fuel injection system. I have been waiting more than since they notified owners when problem discovered for a remedy as per the recall. Now the HPFP has failed. Waiting on FCA for their solution as this is my only vehicle.
My truck lost power and the engine shut off in the middle of an intersection. I had it towed to my local Ram dealer in June of 2023. It is now November 27th of 2023 and the vehicle cannot be fixed because of the Z46 recall has no parts. I have been in contact with my dealer and they gave me a quote of $13000 to replace the fuel pump with no guarantee I could get reimbursed for these repairs. The recall was scheduled to be out by August of 2023 and was pushed back to January of 2024. That will be 6 months of paying for a vehicle I cannot drive because Ram won't issue a fix for this. The dealer did verify that the fuel pump is the problem.
Recall was announced in June 2022, there is still not remedy. I was driving my vehicle when all of a sudden it stalled out in the middle of an interstate. I was able to drift to the median to keep myself and others safe. I had it towed to my dealership and they said they can not fix it, it’s part of the recall. Now I’m here without a vehicle and Chrysler will not do anything about it.
At ~50,000 miles the fuel level gauge would go to Empty only after I filled the tank fully. Now it no longer work at all. The fuel level sensor is defective. Just passed 90,000 miles.
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The 2016 Ram 1500 has 103 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.