10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,472 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ram 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Jun 062022

1500

  • miles

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

ABS brakes and electronic braking system errors, The components and any error codes are available for inspection. When lightly holding the brake at a light I felt the abs activating in the pedal, again twice while driving within minutes from the first. I-??m not a mechanic but I would think not having proper control of your brakes is a safety risk. I have not been to a dealer yet because it just happened and reading online forums it seems to be very common on my truck, hence my belief that a recall is needed. It has not been inspected by anyone yet. The warning lights came on for ABS and traction control along with a service ABS and a service electronic braking system messages. Prior to the messages a few sounds (like the seatbelt unbuckled sound) rang and a few seconds later the messages and the -??pulling-?? feeling in the brake pedal.

- East Meadow, NY, USA

problem #28

Aug 102021

1500

  • miles
79,000 miles on 2016 Ram 1500 eco 4x4 has differential problems and the back axle. Makes the transmission over heat. Brakes also go to the floor have to double tap on the brakes to stop.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #27

Jan 042022

1500

  • miles
On Tuesday January 4th 2022 I was driving my vehicle on interstate 10 at approximately 75 mph, as I was driving my vehicle lost all power and shut off leaving me with no brakes or power steering, I coasted to the off ramp. At which time I was coming up on an intersection where I attempted to apply my brakes to prevent me from rear ending several vehicles. My brakes did not engage properly my steering very stiff and hard to turn, I barley made it around the vehicles in front of me. I then coasted as far as the vehicle would go not being able to stop, leaving me in an active intersection right on the off ramp. I have contacted the manufacturer in regards to recall W58 which is the crankshaft position sensor and tone wheel which 85% of these trucks where recalled for. I was dismissed and told they would not speak with me again. After this I believe it is to my best interest to file a safety report with you guys!

- Lecanto , FL, USA

problem #26

Dec 072021

1500

  • miles

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

Hello, The safety problem is while driving the truck the fuel gauge needle drops to empty intermittently and a warning light flashes. Now not knowing how much fuel is in the tank is dangerous because running out of fuel especially on the highway will stall the engine followed by loss of brakes and steering. The dealer said its an electrical fuel sender resistor card inside the fuel tank that is shorting out, that alone scares me. Searching online I found out it's a common problem among 2016 Ram trucks. I will not let my family drive this truck until the electrical problem is fixed. Thanks for reading!

- Carver, MA, USA

problem #25

Jan 022021

1500

  • 141,000 miles
I was driving on I 90 in Indiana. It was raining and the road was straight. The service ABS light came on. A short time later, I heard a noise and slowed down to 50. Then the front right tire exploded. The tire was relatively new (past July]) with lots of tread. I pulled on to the shoulder and got out to see the brake glowing red hot and smoking. I believe the noise I heard before the explosion was the cv joint disintegrating. Traffic was flying past at 70 to 80 mph. I was in 2 wheel drive. The truck is a 4X4.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #24

Dec 102020

1500

  • 56,000 miles
The left rear parking brake sags I looked at Dodge forums and it looks like there are numerous reports on this problem the cable hangs so low it could get hung up on downed tree branches ect. It seems there not releasing all the way or something

- Winthrop, IA, USA

problem #23

Jan 062020

1500

  • 38,000 miles

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

On 01/06/2020 I was coming to a stop at an intersection in my 2016 Ram 1500 express ( 38,000 miles ) and as I applied the brake, the peddle went straight to the floor. As I was nearly about to collide with the vehicles at the traffic light/intersection and frantically pumping the brake peddle, I finally got the brakes to engage. When I finally came to a stop, I was happy to not have been in an accident and kept driving thinking whatever happened had fixed it's self ( sunny day, and dry pavement ). the next day on my way home for work I heard a grinding noise from the passenger rear wheel, and pulled over to check it out. I noticed the rotor scored badly, and the outer pad missing the friction material, so I picked up a set of pads and went home to pull the wheel off and inspect. Now, I have been a mechanic over 20 years and done well over a thousand brake jobs/services on hundreds of makes/models of vehicles, and have never seen the outer brake pads ware out first. The truck has only 38,000 miles on it and the front brakes have over 1/4" of pad left, and the rears have about the same, and a brake change is a long ways away, so I was curious what I'd find. I found the caliper to be in great condition, guide pins / races to all be in great smooth working order, and when I pressed the piston back in noticed good smooth operation, all dust boots in good condition, and no leaking brake fluid anywhere. I did however find the inner pad about 1/2 delaminated ( friction material-to-metal back plate ) and an outer pad with the friction material completely missing. I cleaned up all surfaces, applied proper grease, and installed new pads because rotor was in useable condition because I caught the problem quickly. I am concerned the other pads on the truck might fail as well causing an accident, injury, or fatality, and wanted to report

- Queensbury, NY, USA

problem #22

Nov 262019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owned a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving on the highway, the contact smelled a burning plastic odor and turned off the heater. An unknown indicator illuminated and the contact was alerted by another motorist that the vehicle was on fire. Flames came out of the heat vents and the side of the hood. The contact pulled over and the brakes failed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact and passenger jumped out of the vehicle. The vehicle burned to the ground. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The following day, the contact received a recall letter for NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called the manufacturer and filed a claim, but the claim was denied because they could not determine what caused the fire. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. The contact was not compensated with assistance towards a new vehicle. The dealer stated that they were not aware of the fire or the recall. The failure mileage was 57,000.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #21

Aug 232019

1500

  • 55,000 miles
Today I drive on the express way on heavy traffic my pedal brake go too the end notice something is wrong I get out on the first exit with caution and parking on safe place I look under my truck was dripping some fluid I check the brake fluid container was on minimum so I drive carefully to the first auto parts and add more brake fluid and still dripping so I follow the the brake lines runs next to the headers was leaking there look like heat melt the brake lines or something.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #20

Jul 102019

1500

  • 35,545 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. Every time the vehicle came to a complete stop, the contact would depress the brake pedal and the check electric control warning indicator illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to lose power. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and back on in order for the vehicle to resume normal operation. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to tom dinsdale automotive Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2800 osborne dr E, hastings, ne 68901, (402) 463-3104) and a diagnostic test was performed, but a failure code could not be located. The vehicle was also test driven, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,545.

- Grand Island, NE, USA

problem #19

May 312019

1500

  • miles

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

When the brakes are applied to a stop there is a surge that feels like you have been hit from the rear.

- Bryant, AR, USA

problem #18

Apr 292019

1500

  • 62,000 miles
I was backing out of garage and went to apply the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor without slowing the vehicle. Pumped the brakes a second time and the pedal again went to the floor without slowing the vehicle. Pumped the brake pedal a third time and the pedal did not go to the floor and the brakes slowed the vehicle enough so that it could be put in park. Upon brake inspection, the friction material separated from the backing plate on the drivers side rear inner brake pad and fell off the vehicle. This caused the brakes to be inoperable for the first two applications of the brake pedal as the brake system fluid and calipers had to make up the missing space of the missing friction material. My brake pads had over 60% of their material remaining so it is not a maintenance issue. This is a manufacturing defect that caused premature failure. If I were traveling at highway speed and this failure occurred, I would not have had adequate brakes and would have gotten into a serious accident or could have been killed. Others could have been injured or killed as well.

- Peshtigo, WI, USA

problem #17

Apr 202019

1500

  • 27,800 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 15 mph down a hill, all the instrument panel indicators began to blink and the engine shut off. All power was lost and the contact had to stand on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. When the vehicle was restarted, the failure recurred twice while traveling down the hill. The contact was finally able to stop the vehicle at the bottom of the hill. The contact parked the vehicle for a few minutes before driving home. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 27,800.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #16

Dec 212018

1500

  • 30,300 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. When the brake pedal was depressed, it traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle rolled away. The vehicle struck a curb and came to a stop. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to foss motors (133 portsmouth ave, exeter, nh 03833, (603) 772-7777) where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer stated that they would notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,300.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #15

May 082018

1500

  • 44,771 miles
Intermitment "service electronic braking system" message displays on the dash, unresolved by dealer service department after multiple visits. Occurs randomly while vehicle is driving or parked. Started happening randomly prior to 05/08/2018 random "service electronic throttle control" message has displayed on dash putting truck into reduced power/speed while driving. Took truck into dealership for reset, no explaination why issue happened. Happened the first time on 05/08/2018 while driving, again on 7/3/2018, and again on 8/17/2018. "service def system see dealer" message displayed on dash informing me to see the dealer. Service advisor reset issue with no explaination of why proplem occured. Happened on 9/30/2018 while driving.

- Cedar Springs, MI, USA

problem #14

Jul 272018

1500

  • 0 miles
Dropping boat in water on slight grade ramp. Put car in park and shut down. As I dropped boat from the trailer the truck rolled down the ramp immersing 3/4 of the body in the salt water. No one was behind the wheel. This product has had issues with rollaways

- Poulsbo, WA, USA

problem #13

Jun 152016

1500

  • 30,000 miles
My cruise control was engaged as I was going down a mountain approaching a sharp turn when I hit the brakes the petal went to the floor and the truck accelerated. I went into the woods where I hit numerous trees and totaled the vehicle. What can be done about this

- Westbury, NY, USA

problem #12

May 022018

1500

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving various speeds, the brake pedal became difficult to depress when attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact had to apply excessive force to the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The electronic stability control warning indicator and the brake light remained illuminated. When the contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, powered off the engine, and restarted the vehicle, he was able to drive; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to mcpeek's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of anaheim (1221 S auto center dr., anaheim, ca 92806, (714) 635-2340), but no failures were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 102018

1500

  • 40,300 miles
My vehicle rolled away while in park with the engine running. The temperature was 35 degrees and it was just started and moved in the driveway. The vehicle would not go back into drive or park. It had to be shut off and then re-started to reset the shifter activity. This is a rotary shifter nob vehicle.

- Ortonville, MI, USA

problem #10

Sep 232017

1500

  • 11,000 miles
The oem trailer brake controller does not provide enough braking power to a towed trailer. The towed single axle travel trailer weighs just under 4,000lbs fully loaded. All gain and trailer type settings on the controller produce the same level of braking to the trailer at any speed from idle to 25-30mph or faster when using the manual brake lever on the controller. Factory owner's manual describes the process for setting the gain is to move the manual brake lever to full braking so the wheels on the towed trailer lock up at 25mph and then reduce the gain until just before trailer wheels lock up. Ram dealership says that the controller will not lock up the trailer wheels with the manual brake lever because the computer reads the speed of the truck, and if full braking isn't needed, it won't apply it. This is in direct contradiction with the information in the owner's manual. The oem brake controller is not working properly, and this is a huge safety issue because the trailer brakes are not getting the proper amount of power to safely stop the vehicle while towing. The controller will barely send enough braking power to slow and stop the vehicle at idle rolling speeds of 5-10mph. After searching online forums, numerous people are having the same issues with their Ram manufactured in model year ranges from 2010 to 2016.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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