2016 Ram 1500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1990 complaints
1990
Total Complaints
50,000mi
Median Mileage
Steering
Top Issue
122
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
26,000
25th Percentile
50,000
Median Mileage
80,115
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Steering
288
Engine
282
Service Brakes
207
Power Train
197
Fuel/Propulsion System
181
Electrical System
173
Unknown Or Other
123
Vehicle Speed Control
96
Fuel System, Diesel
77
Suspension
64
Severity Assessment
122
Crashes
59
Fires
99
Injuries
7
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"PURCHASED VEHICLE FOLLOWING DAY I LOOK UNDER TRUCK AND NOTICE LOTS OF CORROSION THROUGHOUT DRIVE TRAIN. I TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT MONDAY 3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT TRUCK AND DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT FIX AND ITEMS. MY CONCERN IS CORROSION WILL LEAD TO COMPONENT FAILURE OVER TIME."
"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI..."
"THURSDAY MORNING APRIL 14 I GOT INTO MY TRUCK TO GO TO WORK. PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND START THE ENGINE. TURNED THE TRANSMISSION ROTARY KNOB ON THE DASH TO R AND BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO GO TO P FOR PARK. AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE TRU..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Steering
288 complaints
25th: 50,000 mi
Median: 70,000 mi
75th: 100,000 mi
Engine
282 complaints
25th: 41,000 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 89,500 mi
Service Brakes
207 complaints
25th: 10,000 mi
Median: 30,300 mi
75th: 56,000 mi
Power Train
197 complaints
25th: 9,882 mi
Median: 31,500 mi
75th: 54,318 mi
Fuel/Propulsion System
181 complaints
25th: 38,500 mi
Median: 51,000 mi
75th: 69,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
TX: 231
FL: 181
CA: 146
NY: 112
OH: 82
MI: 78
GA: 73
NC: 66
WA: 65
PA: 59
Who Files Complaints?
2.1%
Original Owners
97.9%
Second+ Owners
Ram 1500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (17)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Diesel
Campaign 20V475000 | 13/08/2020
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners
Latch
Campaign 19V347000 | 09/05/2019
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.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this rec
Tailgate
Campaign 18V486000 | 27/07/2018
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.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.
Wiring
Campaign 18V332000 | 17/05/2018
If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise
Inflator
Campaign 21V632000 | 12/08/2021
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 vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number
Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Campaign 19V757000 | 24/10/2019
Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB
Column Shift
Campaign 17V821000 | 20/12/2017
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 rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Differential Unit
Campaign 17V198000 | 23/03/2017
A broken or locked up differential may result in a loss of motive power and possibly a loss of vehicle control. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the differential retaining pin, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T20.
Air Bags
Campaign 17V302000 | 09/05/2017
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 crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
Axle Shaft
Campaign 16V301000 | 16/05/2016
A fractured halfshaft may damage underbody components and create road debris, increasing the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front halfshafts, free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S32.
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Campaign 15V663000 | 16/10/2015
Without a heat shield, heat from the exhaust system may damage the spare tire. When used, the damaged tire may have a tread separation or side wall rupture, resulting in a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a spare tire heat shield if the vehicle is missing one. Vehicles that have already been sold with an excess of 50 miles will also have their spare tires replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 2,
Axle Shaft
Campaign 15V661000 | 15/10/2015
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.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the axle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R59.
Electric Power Assist System
Campaign 16V167000 | 23/03/2016
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 vehicle crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPS unit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S19.
Equipment
Campaign 16E041000 | 16/05/2016
If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
Fuel Pump
Campaign 22V406000 | 09/06/2022
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting Ja
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 23V411000 | 08/06/2023
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification
Inflator
Campaign 25V010000 | 16/01/2025
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Protect Your Steering System
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Get a wheel alignment annually or after hitting a significant pothole
- Don't hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than a few seconds
- Check power steering fluid monthly on hydraulic systems
- Address wandering, vibration, or play in the wheel promptly
- Replace worn tie rod ends before they cause tire wear
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28