9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$7,180
Average Mileage:
78,900 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. engine replacement (12 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2016 Ram 1500 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Mar 192024

1500 SLT Big Horn 5.7

  • Automatic transmission
  • 198,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have had zero issues with my truck that was a manufacturer issue since I purchased it in 2019. Other than the Manifold Studs breaking and having to be replaced. But now I have a very large paper weight that I cannot do anything with. I have called my mechanics that I trust and only allow to work on my truck, and they all said the same thing I did when this happened. I dropped a lifter and quite possibly the Cam.

I knew exactly what was going on as soon as I started my truck and heard the mass amount of clatter coming from under the hood. When I tried to put it in D and take off I had absolutely zero power. There was damn sure no Guts or Glory under the hood... Saying I was pissed is a hard understatement. I cannot afford to have this issue fixed because it is going to take a new engine being dropped in my truck and then having that engine deleted before anything can happen to it, if I can even get it deleted. I currently have zero vehicles to drive, I have to hope every morning that I can find a ride to work and a ride home from work when I get off, and then if I end up getting a wrecker/rollback call in the middle of the night finding a way to get to the equipment to go on the calls.

What pisses me beyond anything is the fact that FIAT & Chrysler knows about this issue and so many others with the vehicle and yet they DONOT care about the person that spent 30k for the truck and now to replace it is going to cost me over 60k.. How the hell am I supposed to afford that kind of money? I don't make anywhere near what any of the big sh*ts at Chrysler make. I am at a loss as what I am going to do, I recently had filed a complaint about the other know issue with the power steering. Not like they care enough to do anything about that either. So now here I am with a vehicle that is absolutely worthless to me and my family.

FIAT & Chrysler needs to do something about this and no pussy foot around about it and include ALL 3rd Gen 1500's in the recall or whatever because its not just from this date to this date.. ITS ALL OF THEM..

- Kandie W., Fairland, Oklahoma , US

problem #13

Jan 032017

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

Brand new truck with only 9000 miles, just had its first oil change. Took 3 weeks to get the truck back. Loaner was junk and I don't understand why a loaner is not of equal value when doing warranty work. After receiving the truck back the dealership screwed up one of the wiring harnesses and I had no exterior lights and had to bring back in for another day to fix the issue.

- slydogddj, Vernon, US

problem #12

Dec 242018

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The second engine failed at 60,000. The first was 47,600, so, this engine only lasted 13,000 miles. The truck died on Christmas Eve with family in it, in the dead of winter. You know how hard it is to get a tow truck on Christmas Eve?!?!

- kolvenbach, St. Francis, US

problem #11

May 182018

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

First engine dies at 47,600, and 250 miles out of town. FCA did NOTHING to reimburse me for all my expenses to get home.

- kolvenbach, St. Francis, US

problem #10

Aug 062021

1500 Longhorn 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,124 miles

Had a roller lifter snap off. I had the cam lifters and pushrod replaced. No help from Chrysler. Then was told there was scaring in lifter bore, which there wasn't. I was also told it broke a valve spring before I went back to the dealer to see damage.

- terryburleson, Arlington, US

problem #9

Apr 252018

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,600 miles

Driving to work I started hearing a knocking noise coming from the engine compartment. About 3 miles after hearing the noise, my engine light comes on, truck goes limp and I'm stuck halfway up a highway hill. The car behind me about him me. This was the first eco.

- J G., Guadalupe, CA, US

problem #8

Mar 152021

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,806 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

That's it. 3rd engine, 2 documented on video. They still won't lemon/buyback. Have to sue them now. They shouldn't have this engine anymore. Never going to buy another Ram again!!!!

- J G., Guadalupe, CA, US

problem #7

Dec 152019

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,482 miles

2nd engine failure on my 2016 ecodiesel. Fought for 2 months with FCA and they put a new engine after i requested a buy back. Couldn't stand this truck anymore biut couldn't trade it in.

- J G., Guadalupe, CA, US

problem #6

Oct 222019

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

3 times this has happened to me. I do not drive crazy or go above the advertised capabilities of this truck. The first motor died at 9,000 miles and the second motor got 36,000 miles and the third motor has made it to 26,000 miles. Stay far away from the ECODIESEL s***box.

- slydogddj, Vernon, US

problem #5

Nov 282019

1500 Laramie 3.0L Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

I'm trying to just get FCA (RAM) trucks to issue the offer letter. Right now they have all kinds of excuses but show the offer was given back in November (on the web site). I have ask for over a month for a re-send but they have to have a case manager look it over. All my other emails have no problem arriving. Now the truck has another recall they locks it up from being traded or sold. I'm so tired of being RAMs test truck. Since the EPA reboot of the truck's computer. It has become dangerous to pull out in to traffic. It flat spots, hesitates, and has no pickup unless it's almost floorboarded. I haven't pulled my RV with it since the computer re-flash, because I afraid I will get into a situation that will cause an accident.

- Junior G., Mount Calm, TX, US

problem #4

Aug 292020

1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2016 Ram EcoDiesel with 75K miles. I was told the engine does not break in until 100,000 miles. Well after 75,000 the engine had a catastrophic failure. The motor was covered, but the dealer will not tell me anything about the new motor. They wanted to get me into a new vehicle with a new 6 year payment plan, did not go for that. The new engine will be warrantied until October 2020 and nothing else. If RAM knows there is a problem with this motor why wouldn't they step up and warranty the new engine if they believed in their product.

So I have a new motor that has a horrible reputation, not sure how long this business model will work for you RAM.

I thought "Dodge Trucks Were Ram Tough"!!

- hpsurveyor, El Cajon, US

problem #3

Jul 112018

1500 Express 5.7L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,422 miles

The only reasons the engine didn't totally fail are; I have an excellent understanding of engines. Because of that I accurately suspected an extremely grave issue. I dropped everything in my life to get this junk to the dealer with minimal wear and tear and not leave me stranded. My sports car immediately was put in service to replace my truck till dealer opened. I ripped into the little girl at the service counter that flipped out on me about not having an appointment. The service manager intervened and moved my truck to the front of the line. If anything before had not happened the engine would have completely failed. The job took three weeks because this problem is so common that the part was back ordered. Within a month of getting my truck back from the dealer I traded the truck over this issue. I can't own a sports car if my main practical vehicle is some old beater or a new one that acts like some old beater.

- darth1, Brantford, ON, Canada

problem #2

Feb 062019

1500 Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

2016 ecodiesel with 70000 miles on it driving on interstate and suddenly engine stops and will not restart for 15 mins. Finally got it started ran fine for 2 weeks, then loss of power occurred and truck could not get up to speed. Check engine light came on, service electronic throttle code came on. At shop now. Dealership says no warranty. Looks like this is a reoccurring problems with ecodiesel Ram trucks that they have not fixed. Never had an issue with Chevy, Nissan or Ford trucks like this. Will not be purchasing a Ram or truck again.

- Kim W., Xenia, US

problem #1

Jul 052018

1500 Big Horn 3.0L Ecodiesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

This was fixed under the power train warranty but took 4 weeks to fix and it took Ram 3 weeks to get me a loaner which was hardly anything good. Not pleased with the service at all and upon getting the truck back i was out of state inspection that they could have easily taken care of for me. ($200 Ticket) so I took back and they failed me saying rear brakes were bad and they had no parts to replace, and would take a week to get for a price of $1000 to do brakes all around. Crazy..

I ordered upgraded brakes and slotted rotors for 400 and went to install and the dealer stole my lock nut tool for the wheels. The wheels had never been off the truck besides at that dealership and my tool package was opened and empty. Also by the way the brake pads had plenty of life left and the average ram doesn't need brake replacement until 60 to 70,000 miles so all said and done 1 month no truck, $200 ticket for no inspections and a whole lot of hassle to get my tool back.

- slydogddj, Vernon, US

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