repaired · 2026 Q3
Curtain: inflator
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
2016 Ram 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,564 owner complaints about the 2016 Ram 1500, most often about the steering. It is covered by 16 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-010 the manufacturer reports only 33% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Ram 1500 has problems
1,564 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
316Steering7 crash/fire/injury
292Engine27 crash/fire/injury
249Service brakes11 crash/fire/injury
203Power train41 crash/fire/injury
193Electrical system17 crash/fire/injury
193Fuel/propulsion system8 crash/fire/injury
111Vehicle speed control
82Fuel system, diesel
68Suspension
30221 other systems55 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 316 | 7 |
| Engine | 292 | 27 |
| Service brakes | 249 | 11 |
| Power train | 203 | 41 |
| Electrical system | 193 | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 193 | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 111 | 6 |
| Fuel system, diesel | 82 | 0 |
| Suspension | 68 | 3 |
| 21 other systems | 302 | 55 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
16 recalls
2016 Ram 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Side/window: curtain
Risk. A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the…
Show 12 more recalls
repaired · 2022 Q4
Engine: diesel
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Emission control: gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Risk. Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Tailgate: latch
Risk. If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Tailgate: latch
Risk. If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Electrical system: software
Risk. If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Lever and linkage: column shift
Risk. Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle…
repaired · 2018 Q3
Air bags
Risk. If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a…
repaired · 2018 Q3
Driveline: differential unit
Risk. A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a…
repaired · 2017 Q1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk. Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Axle assembly: axle shaft
Risk. If the rear axle shaft was not properly heated treated, it may fracture and a wheel separation could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ram.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
71kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 104 steering complaints. 72% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 49% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
11under 30k miles75under 100k miles29100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
11 owners mentioned a cost$3,010median
Middle half: $2,550 – $3,900
Engine
10 owners mentioned a cost$1,850median
Middle half: $1,000 – $4,875
Service brakes
10 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,350 – $2,450
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 1500 median. How we score
'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Ram 1500 safety ratings
2016 Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 2WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Ram 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- High pressure fuel pump failureLed to recall 24V-957
- Vehicle RollawayNo recall
- Intermittent/Comp Loss of Power SteeringOpen
- Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureOpen
In owners' words
What 1500 owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the electronic power steering became inoperable, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn and was almost impossible to turn. The contact stated that on the previous day, the power steering warning light was…
ELECTRIC STEERING RACK FAILURE. The truck requires tremendous strength to steer manually, risking accident and injury to passengers and other vehicles. Emmett's Auto in Klamath Falls, OR has ordered a new steering rack. RAM Corporate advised the truck is not on recall. Other trucks manufactured the…
The electronic power steering has failed. The system failed on 10/19/26. Also, the truck has stalled while driving on three different occasions in the last two years. It has never shown a code for the stalls.
Own a 2016 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.