2016 Ram 2500: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 362 complaints
362
Total Complaints
21,500mi
Median Mileage
Power Train
Top Issue
19
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
4,501
25th Percentile
21,500
Median Mileage
42,886
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Power Train
61
Engine
52
Steering
40
Electrical System
34
Service Brakes
33
Unknown Or Other
33
Vehicle Speed Control
16
Body
12
Fuel/Propulsion System
12
Suspension
11
Severity Assessment
19
Crashes
5
Fires
16
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION: THE 2016 2500 RAM DIESEL TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE LOST, INCLUDING A... COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE... BRAKE LIGHTS... POWER STEERING... POWER BRAKES. EVERYTHING DIES WI..."
"LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION: THE 2016 2500 RAM DIESEL TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE LOST, INCLUDING A... COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE... BRAKE LIGHTS... POWER STEERING... POWER BRAKES. EVERYTHING DIES WI..."
"LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION: THE 2016 2500 RAM DIESEL TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE LOST, INCLUDING A... COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE... BRAKE LIGHTS... POWER STEERING... POWER BRAKES. EVERYTHING DIES WI..."
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.
Power Train
61 complaints
25th: 9,950 mi
Median: 25,500 mi
75th: 37,900 mi
Engine
52 complaints
25th: 1,627 mi
Median: 4,800 mi
75th: 26,900 mi
Steering
40 complaints
25th: 15,629 mi
Median: 34,000 mi
75th: 49,000 mi
Electrical System
34 complaints
25th: 8,000 mi
Median: 23,000 mi
75th: 28,400 mi
Service Brakes
33 complaints
25th: 6,900 mi
Median: 37,506 mi
75th: 74,750 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 51
FL: 29
TX: 20
WA: 18
AZ: 17
MO: 15
NY: 14
GA: 13
NC: 13
TN: 12
Who Files Complaints?
2.5%
Original Owners
97.5%
Second+ Owners
Ram 2500 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (14)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Connection
Campaign 19V021000 | 25/01/2019
A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numbe
Linkages
Campaign 18E096000 | 16/10/2018
The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.
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
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.
Wheels
Campaign 17V499000 | 10/08/2017
If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
AEV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
Equipment
Campaign 17V824000 | 21/12/2017
If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidd
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.
Diesel
Campaign 17V562000 | 12/09/2017
The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, 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 T51.
Engine
Campaign 15V592000 | 23/09/2015
An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
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.
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.
Extend Your Transmission Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Change transmission fluid at manufacturer intervals — not 'lifetime' fluid
- Come to a full stop before shifting from reverse to drive
- Don't ride the brakes on hills — use a lower gear
- Check transmission fluid level and color monthly — dark fluid needs changing
- Address slipping, hard shifts, or delayed engagement immediately
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