Menu

2016 Ram 4500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2016 Ram 4500, most often about the structure. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-824 the manufacturer reports only 44% of affected cars repaired.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 44%Owner complaints10 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 27, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 Ram 4500 has problems

1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2016 Ram 4500 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.

75%repaired · 2019 Q4

Electrical system: software

Recall 18V-332 · May 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 vehicles · 3,629,629 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

44%repaired · 2019 Q2

Equipment

Recall 17V-824 · Dec 21, 2017 · 61,791 vehicles · 27,012 repaired

Risk. If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2019 Q4

Lever and linkage: column shift

Recall 17V-821 · Dec 20, 2017 · 1,482,874 vehicles · 860,137 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
80%repaired · 2019 Q4

Engine: diesel

Recall 17V-562 · Sep 12, 2017 · 443,874 vehicles · 355,950 repaired

Risk. The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

87%repaired · 2017 Q4

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 16V-495 · Jul 1, 2016 · 889 vehicles · 770 repaired

Risk. If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other 4500 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 4500 median. How we score

'08'09'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2016 Ram 4500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Front Driveshaft FailurePE19017 · closed Oct 22, 2023
    No recall
  2. Post Recall Remedy Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) FailureRQ25003 · still open
    Open
In owners' words

What 4500 owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 4500. WHILE GETTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL WELLS OVER BOTH REAR TIRES HAD FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF THE WHEEL WELLS WERE TO FRACTURE COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING AT…
Complaint 10925920 · Nov 14, 2016 · 65,000 miles

Own a 2016 4500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.