2016 Ram 1500 Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear wheel seized, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The contact discovered that the vehicle failed to drive forward while in drive(D). The contact stated that after switching to 4WD, the vehicle was driven off the road and was later towed to the residence. The contact stated that while examining the vehicle, the contact determined that the rear differential had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V198000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 81,127.
Passenger side axle half shaft has separated. There is a recall (Safety Recall S32) currently on 2016 Ram 1500 4WD manufactured between February 19, 2016, and March 3, 2016. This vehicle was manufactured March 8, 2016. It is too coincidental that I am having the same issue as described in the recall information. I have contacted FCA via phone and was told their was nothing that could be done because the vehicle in service date was 3/28/2016. I would like this investigated further to determine if my and other trucks should be included in this recall.
This vehicle has had an open recall (22V-406) open since June 2022, Dodge Ram still hasn't provided enough parts to the dealers to fix this recall. The parts have been on back order for two years. Considering this vehicle is registered in California, soon this will lead to us not being able to renew our vehicle registration. Dodge Ram needs to produce and provide the parts necessary to remedy this recall, I feel that two years is sufficient time to get this completed.
While driving through mountainous terrain, my truck became unable to change gears and illuminated a check engine light and an electronic throttle control warning. I was able to limp it home to the dealership for repairs where they identified that the crankshaft tonewheel had delaminated. This exact issue is addressed in recall W68/NHTSA 20V-475 by FCA with the verbiage: "The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel on your vehicle provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this signal material is lost, the engine loses its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine. A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning." Incredulously, FCA will not reimburse me for the cost of the repairs because they did not include my VIN in their W68 recall announcement. The exact part failed in the exact manner outlined in this recall, but their method to avoid liability is to simply say my VIN wasn't affected by the manufacturing defect--which it obviously was. Instead, they included my affected VIN in their W58 recall--which like a safe driver I complied with immediately--that only consisted of a software flash and an extended mileage/time warranty on the part (should it fail), that of course failed within 2 months of the warranty period expiring. I cannot understand how NHTSA would allow FCA to exclude VINs from W68 that were clearly affected by this very same manufacturing defect, and instead loop in clearly affected VINs in a simple software flash with a limited extended warranty. I ask that NHTSA please hold FCA accountable for this manufacturing defect and correctly cover ALL affected VINs with recall W68/NHTSA 20V-475.
While driving at 70 MPH down I-90 in upstate New York, during rush hour traffic, my 2016 Ram 1500 eco diesel lost power (engine stopped). The truck lost power, including a loss in power steering. I was able to navigate the truck to the side of the road and a state trooper pull behind me while waiting for the tow truck. The truck would not start after this. There was no advanced warning for this failure. There were no warning lights, and before the engine stall, the truck was driving and behaving as it should. The truck was towed to a mechanic off the highway and later towed to Castilone Dodge in Batavia NY. The dealer found the magnetic perimeter of the tone wheel was flaking, which caused an issue with the driveshaft sensor, causing the truck to stall. Castilone found there is an existing recall on this for 2014-2019 RAM eco diesel trucks. The recall is for "Risk of delamination of crankshaft position sensor tone wheels". However, upon looking into this and calling RAM directly, RAM stated the recall only affects some VINs, and mine was not included. I spoke to two different people at RAM, who reiterated this. RAM claims that my truck received a good tone wheel, which was not included in the recall, and because of this, they refused to cover the repair and towing bill. The truck was taken to West Herr RAM in Lockport, NY, where they replaced the tone wheel for $1,760.65. I find it curious, that my truck experienced the same issue that was covered under recall warranty for other 2014-2018 RAM EcoDiesels. But my truck VIN was not captured in the recall. I asked RAM to investigate whether there are additional VINs that should be captured under the recall. They refused to escalate my request or do any additional research. I'm asking for help form the NHTSA to hold RAM accountable to at least determine if this issue impacts additional trucks.
2016 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L 4x4 6 speed. Transmission failed at 149000 kms. Highly maintained police fleet vehicle. Never towed any weights. Transmission failed . Both 4th and 5th gear + O/D clutch are bad.
My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truck being over 5 years old, the power train warranty no longer covers this. Ram is well aware of this issue but still refuses to initiate a recall. This issue presents a safety concern and has a potential to endanger myself and any other passengers who get in the vehicle due to raw engine exhaust fumes being released within the engine bay while the vehicle is running which could enter the cabin of the vehicle while in operation causing potential injury.
Traveling at hwy speeds the vehicle lurched as if the brakes were suddenly slammed on then removed. Speed was reduced to 60 mph, no sounds or vibrations noticed so began accelerating back to hwy speeds. RPM kept building but speed was not increasing as normal. Within a few seconds loud banging under the vehicle was heard and half the drive shaft came out the back flipping end over end down the hwy. The shaft struck the grill of a jeep following me but no damage was seen upon inspection. The truck came to a relatively calm stop on the side of the road. Both halves of the drive shaft were recovered, one from the middle of the road, the other about 20 yards into the ditch. Rear diff was spilling fluid. All casings and covers seemed to be intact. Towed to Dealer, inspected and they said best they figure is the axle seized up, destroyed the diff, and shaft. They do not believe the transmission or transfer case were affected but can't be sure until new rear assembly and shaft installed. No one was injured in this event, although if the speed and height of the axle shaft flipping end over end down the hwy into the jeep was different serious injury could have occurred. Additionally, if a component of the rear assembly came off the truck could have come to a violent stop.
The service electronic throttle control keeps coming on despite efforts to correct. The sensor was cleaned but the throttle control warning light continues to come on. The vehicle emissions are too high and impacting the power train. The vehicle loses power significantly and will not accelerate and the electronic throttle control warning light will come on. This issue is dangerous to the wellbeing of drivers as the loss of acceleration could increase risk of collision. Based on reading forums about the 2015-2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is notorious for this occurring. This is endangering the lives of all owners as there is no indication that this is going to occur, and no recall has been issued.
Broken exhaust manifold bolts which cause an exhaust leak between the engine block and the exhaust manifold.
Front differential housing, passenger side half shaft fractured
On August 28, 2021, I was driving towards Huntsville, TX, on Hwy 30, a rural divided highway with two lanes in each direction. The speed limit is 70. The truck was empty except for me, and a few tools. I had the cruise control set at 60 mph and was going up a slight hill when then truck suddenly and violently popped out of gear. At first, I thought someone had hit me from behind. Fortunately, there was nobody close to me and I coasted to the side of the road and stopped. After a few minutes trying to calm down and read the truck manual--I never turned the engine off-- I followed the instructions to shift back to P (Park) and then select a gear. I did this and the bell ringing and flashing lights stopped. So I shifted to drive and took off again. This time I did not use the cruise control--just slowly got back up to speed. Then BOOM! Once again, around 60mph about 4 miles down the road, the truck popped out of gear a second time violently and suddenly with no warning. Once again, I coasted to a stop and just sat there halfway freaked out. Finally, I turned the emergency blinkers on and crept into Huntsville at 30 mph. The next day, Sunday, August 29, I started the truck to see what would happen, and the Check Engine light was no longer lit up. I phoned the Wischnewsky Dodge dealership in Huntsville, TX, and the Service Manager Chris Lovelady said I could bring the truck in and he would read the codes at no charge. On Friday, September 3, I met Service Manager Chris Lovelady at 11am and he downloaded the codes. I took a picture of the three codes (file uploaded below). He said the significant code of the three was P0984 Shift Solenoid 5 Control Circuit Range/Performance. He stated that since the codes were 'Stored' and not 'Active', he could not work on the truck--he said I had to drive it some more. If this incident had happened on the crowded freeway in Houston where I live, there most certainly would have been a wreck.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train) performed however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the vehicle changed gear independently and started reversing towards the road. The contact stated he jumped into the vehicle and shifted the gear to drive and then turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the drive indicator warning light blinked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer informed the contact that the OBD reader did not retrieve a fault code. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 16,400.
I PURCHASED MY USED 2016 RAM 1500 BIG HORN A OF MONTH AGO IN THE END OF JANUARY 2021. IT HAD JUST OVER 70,000 MILES. WHEN I TEST-DROVE THE VEHICLE, IT RAN SMOOTHLY. AT LEAST I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING ODD ABOUT THE WAY IT DROVE. THE CARFAX REPORT SAID IT HAD FOUR RECALLS, ONE OF WHICH WAS A FLASH/REPROGRAM OF THE COMPUTER MODULE. IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE I NOTICED, LIKE OTHER RAM 1500 OWNERS, THAT IT SEEMED TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY LURCH FORWARD BEFORE MY FOOT EVEN GETS TO THE ACCELERATOR. AT ONE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I BELIEVED THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD REAR-ENDED ME. WHEN I STOPPED TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, THERE WAS NONE. I HAD NOT EVEN BEEN REAR-ENDED. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE, IS THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS STRUGGLING WHEN I AM CRUISING AT ABOUT 1,200-1,500 RPM'S, AS IF IT IS IN TOO HIGH A GEAR. WHEN I HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO PASS OR SPEED UP, IT HESITATES, DOWNSHIFTS AND EVENTUALLY ROARS TO LIFE. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT. THEY DROVE IT AROUND. THEY TOLD ME TO COME AND PICK IT UP ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. WHEN I GOT THERE, THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD "RESET THE ADAPTATIONS AND UPDATED THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE." THE 'ADAPTATIONS' IS APPARENTLY SOMETHING THAT THE COMPUTER DOES TO ADAPT TO THE DRIVER'S DRIVING HABITS. THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 'USED' TO THE DRIVING HABITS OF THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. I SPOKE WITH THE TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN, WHO ALSO OWNS A RAM WITH THE 5.7L HEMI. HE TOLD ME THAT HIS DOES THE SAME THING, AND THAT "THEY ALL DO IT." HE SAID TO CHECK BACK IN A FEW MONTHS TO SEE IF DODGE HAS DISCOVERED A FIX FOR IT. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A $25,000, THAT HAS A PROBLEM THAT IS PUTTING ALL KINDS OF STRESS ON CRITICAL PARTS AND I HAVE NO RECOURSE.
ON OCTOBER 24, 2019 NHTSA ISSUED CAMPAIGN NO.19V757000, TO ADDRESS THE RAM 1500 ECODIESEL EGR COOLER MAY CRACK AND CAUSE FIRE. I OWN ONE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND THOUGHT PROMPT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THERE WAS A DELAY MANUFACTURING AND SHIPPING THE PARTS. I HAD MY NAME ADDED TO A LIST AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR. UPON RECEIVING AN "URGENT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE FROM FCA THIS WEEK, I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT COULD BE UP TO A YEAR (OCT - NOV 2021 TIMEFRAME) BEFORE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO FIX MY VEHICLE. BASED ON ONLINE REPORTS, SOME OWNERS ARE HAVING THEIR VEHICLES FIXED QUICKLY, WHILE OTHER OWNERS, LIKE MYSELF, ARE BEING FORCED TO WAIT A UP TO TWO YEARS TO HAVE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED. ALLOWING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD TO BE DRIVEN ON PUBLIC ROADS IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD EXPECT THE NHTSA TO CONDONE. THIS RECALL, AND OTHER SAFETY RELATED ISSUES (I.E., CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE) WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE NHTSA MUST CONSIDER TAKING MORE IMMEDIATE AND STRONGER ACTIONS AGAINST FCA TO EITHER CORRECT, IN A MORE TIMELY MANNER, OR BUY BACK THESE VEHICLES AND REMOVE THEM FROM OUR PUBLIC ROADS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO STOP AND PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
DROVE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AT 70-75 MPH ON I-91 IN CT. TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO A LOWER GEAR AND SPEED WAS DROPPED TO ABOUT 40 MPH BEFORE TRANSMISSION SCREAMING COULD BE STOPPED. GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD THE TRUCK TOWED FROM CT TO MA. PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT LOCAL REPAIR STATION AND NO PROBLEM CODE WAS FOUND. IT APPEARS THAT FCA # T15 DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM BUT THIS VIN DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL.
THERE HAS BEEN AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE NOVEMBER 2019. THE MOPAR SITE SAYS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT I HAVE CONTACTED 3 DEALERS WHO ALL SAY THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL SO THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. HOW CAN I PROCEED WITH GETTING THIS FIXED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD BEFORE STOPPING. THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE BRAKING FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TO STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. DURING THE FAILURE THE BRAKING DISTANCE WAS EXTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER JACK PHELAN CHRYSLER/JEEP(5859 S. LAGRANGE RD., COUNTRYSIDE, IL) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THEN TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS FAULTY. THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER LATER REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED BUT THE FAILURE LATER REOCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES LATER. THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
VEHICLE JUMPS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALMOST PUSHES THE CAR BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. NO TOWING, OR HIGH SPEED. JUST NORMAL DRIVING WHEN IT COMES TO SLOWING DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP AND IT JUMPS, BUCKS, OR PUSHES THE CAR BEFORE REALLY FIRMLY PUSHING THE BRAKES, AND HOPING THAT IT STOPS.
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF QUEST BUILDER'S GROUP WHO OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXPERIENCING ANOTHER SIMILAR FAILURE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V036000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PAMBY MOTORS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (665 DANBURY RD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS CO-WORKER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, HIS CO-WORKER EXPERIENCED THE SAME TRANSMISSION SHIFT FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. HIS CO-WORKER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER BACK AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE DRIVE AND REVERSE POSITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY DRIVE WHILE THE DOORS WERE OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2018 UNDER AN UNKNOWN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER MOUNTAIN VIEW DODGE (7154 NASHVILLE ST. RINGO GA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
WHEN YOU STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK AND YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE(LIKE IN A RESTAURANT DRIVEWAY) A MESSAGE COMES ON THE DASH SAYING THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK AND WILL NOT MOVE. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND WAIT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO TRY AGAIN. *TR
TOWING SMALL UTILITY TRAILER WITH 1,150 LBS LOAD AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. WITHOUT WARNING LEFT (DRIVER) REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED. GEAR OIL COATED BRAKES AND BEGAN SMOKING. UPON DIAGNOSTIC, DETERMINED LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. REQUIRED LEFT AXLE SHAFT REPLACEMENT, LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL, LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2016 Ram 1500 has 102 Power Train complaints on file. 26 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.