10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,986 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 1 of 4)

problem #73

Oct 312023

1500

  • miles

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

This complaint is to acknowledge a problem with my 2016 Ram 1500; I understand that NHTSA is currently investigating the issue. I urge NHTSA to require a recall on this in order to expedite a solution. The following warning lights are present: service ABS system, traction control, check engine, brake (parking brake engaged), check fuel tank cap; the turn signals also blink fast and problem message is present. Inspection is available upon request. The main safety concern is whether or not the brakes are functioning properly. It seems as though the dealer is aware of this widespread issue and the parts needed to fix the issue are unavailable and have been unavailable for an extended time. October 2023 is the date when I had the truck evaluated, if I recall correctly.

- Hillsborough, NC, USA

problem #72

Jun 052024

1500

  • miles
Driving my ABS, traction control light and brake light all came on. Took to Garage and was told it was my ABS module pump control unit and was told part was not available and was under redesign. with no idea when avaiable and that there would likely be long wait when it does. My concern is do not believe safe to drive with all these lights on as if another problem occured in this system a person would not know and could lead to a incedent. I believe there should be a immediate recall on this issue for safety reasons as my research shows the apperance that this is a far reaching and widespread problem

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #71

Jun 052024

1500

  • miles
While driving at highway speed the ABS, Brake, Traction control lights illuminated and stayed on I was able to get the truck home and took to the dealer they read the codes and stated that it is an internal failure on the ABS module, he said there are hundreds of these with failures. He said he would see about ordering a new module but the lead time would be 6 to 8 months as the parts are not available from Dodge and some are still in engineering for redesign. This needs to be a recall to get them off their duff and produce parts and replace for customers. The service advisor said would not hurt to drive truck but others online have said it could cause brakes to lock up and is dangerous to drive with this failure.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #70

Mar 012024

1500

  • miles

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

The brake, ABS brake, traction control lights are lit up on the dash. We took the truck to a dealership in March of 2024 to get the truck worked on. We were advised the the ABS Module has went out. The Ram dealership told us that the ABS module in question is under review, and it would be mid June before the review results would be available. We were told that we could still drive the truck, even though the ABS brakes aren't working. We have even asked about pulling our bumper pull travel trailer, and we were told we could also do this. It is now June 20th 2024 and we have yet to get a straight answer about the part being on recall or if everyone with the same issues is going to have to pay for the part that is apparently a manufacturer defect. We are afraid to drive the truck any distance because of this issue. And we definitely will not pull the travel trailer. We are stuck in Mississippi where we went for the winter. We would like to go back home to Oklahoma but we are afraid to drive that far with or without our trailer.

- Tahlequah , OK, USA

problem #69

May 212024

1500

  • miles
I have a 2016 RAM 1500. At 50k miles, the ABS light and the brake light came on. The message states -??service ABS braking system-??. -??I went to NAPA to get the code read and they said that I need the ABS Electronic Brake Control Module and the Brake Fluid Pump assembly replaced and that it could be very dangerous to drive my truck and in fact, if I keep driving the truck without it being fixed it was a danger to myself and others. NAPA called to order the parts and they said that it was back ordered by 3 days. The date of was 5/21/2024. They have NO date when they will have the vital parts to make my truck stop in the manner and condition that I bought the truck. I went online to do some research and I found out thousands of people are waiting years to get these parts and for every model and year since approximately 2012. The Dodge RAM people are not making the parts. They say it-??s under -??engineering review-?? or that they are simply backordered, FOR YEARS!!! So let me get this straight, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THEIR TRUCK ON THE ROAD IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE THE RAM PEOPLE -??REFUSE-?? TO MANUFACTURE THE PARTS. This is what I-??m being told. That my truck, that I paid a lot of money for and incidentally is paid off, doesn-??t have the vital parts in it to make it stop effectively. I wrote to them to find out about the parts. The response that I got was telling me that the parts are no longer under warranty. I didn-??t ask that question I asked when can I get the parts. And they never will answer the question. Why is this not under a number one priority for the safety of individuals and the general public" Why are people allowed to drive their RAM around when every one of the modules is failing in every RAM? I was told by NAPA that the modules are all failing around 50,000 miles. And again, they warned me not to drive my truck. How are we all supposed to get to work"

- Saint George, SC, USA

problem #68

May 282024

1500

  • miles
Vehicle has warning message regarding ABS, Electronic Brake System, and Trailer Brake System, and there is not nothing it can be done because manufacturer does not have part in stock, which restricts vehicle usage due to safety issues. I have tried thru several means to purchase the part without positive results.

- Juana Diaz, PR, USA

problem #67

May 152024

1500

  • miles

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

My ABS/Brake/Traction alarm is lit up on my 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn (99.5k miles) and I was notified that the part is not available from Mopar/Dodge. It has been checked out by Firestone and confirmed by them that the part is not available.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #66

Nov 282023

1500

  • miles
Electronic braking system, traction control system and cruise control are non-operational. This problem affects all vehicles travelling on the road with me. The problem has been confirmed and diagnosed by a dealer. Warning lights on the dashboard are constant, along with "service electronic braking system" on engine start-up. This fault started in November, 2023. The dealership is unable to procure a replacement ABS module. Why is this not a recall issue? This fault prevents the vehicle from passing inspection.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #65

Apr 292024

1500

  • miles
ABS module is not communicating with the vehicle which is a known issue with Ram 1500. No repair parts are available and have not been available from Ram in over a year.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #64

Apr 222024

1500

  • miles
The Antilock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminated in approx December 2023, and I took it to the dealership. The dealership service center confirmed that the ABS Module is bad, and requires replacement. The component is still under warranty, so the dealership ordered the module. The dealership stated in December that the component is "on backorder, " but should be available by March 2024. It is now April 2024 and I just checked with both the dealership and RAM headquarters, and still no ETA on the part (still on "backorder"). This IS THE BRAKING system! If RAM wanted to do anything about it they could (take parts of a new vehicle, pay more to have one built, etc), but they're doing NOTHING. Again, this isn't AC or the radio... it's brakes, a safety issue. Please help. Thank you.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #63

Apr 162024

1500

  • miles

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

Abs keeps going in and out due to a faulty abs module control. Thousands of people are having this issue and No parts are being made because they are under engineering review. Meanwhile we are not safe driving with faulty abs modules that the manufacturer is fully aware of.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #62

Nov 052023

1500

  • miles
ABS failure resulted in life-threatening failure of the trailer-brake-system, and associated traction and cruise control November 5th 2023 while towing 7,000 lbs on the Interstate. Local dealership was of no help whatsoever (see attached). This is a widely reported issue on various forums.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #61

Feb 062024

1500

  • miles
Been inspected by the dealer. ABS modules as with many other owners cannot be replaced due to a lack of inventory on a vehicle less than 10 years old. Abs and traction control lights stay on as well as having the brakes locking up during wet conditions. It-??s completely unsafe and too widespread for the company not to have a solution. Much less at the owners dime due to a flawed design.

- New Bern , NC, USA

problem #60

Feb 082024

1500

  • miles
Loss control while going down the highway, as the traction control is not working, I loss control when the road had a slight hill and curve. It has been a little under a year since my ABS module/control as gone bad. This causes the loss of traction control, ABS braking and other issues. This is a safety concern as the traction control is needed and brakes lock up without the ABS. This is a well-known issue with 2012-2017 Ram's. The main issue is the part is not available to correct the issue which makes this an even more serious safety issue.

- Corinth, TX, USA

problem #59

Mar 212024

1500

  • miles
ABS and Traction control light is on in the instrument cluster indicating a failure of the anti lock brakes. I took my vehicle to my local Ram dealer and they did a system scan. One of the results was a defective ABS module. I was told by the dealer that a replacement module was not available due to national backorder. They could not give me any date of availability to correct this dangerous failure. I shopped all over for a after market module but was told it was a Ram dealer item only. So I either have to continue to drive my truck without the aid of antilock brakes or try to buy a used module from a scrap yard and see if it will restore my ABS function.

- Homosassa, FL, USA

problem #58

Nov 032023

1500

  • miles
ABS Service light is on. Brake light also comes on periodically. Replacement part is unavailable. I have been to multiple service locations to have the issue resolved. At this point I'm told by the Dodge Dealer Service people that they cannot order the part until March 20....On top of that the part repair is over $3000. This: 1) is a common problem with Dodge RAMS and many others from what I've discovered in my research 2) Is a safety issue that is not being properly addressed and escalated. 3) Should not be a short supply part if it's a safety component 4) Needs immediate attention by Dodge

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #57

Feb 292024

1500

  • miles
Abs/Hcu are faulty causing abs and traction control systems to not function causing hazardous conditions while driving

- Grand Bay, AL, USA

problem #56

Nov 302023

1500

  • miles
ABS module, traction control, cruise control not working due to failed ABS module. Yes it can be inspected. RAM dealership saying to drive it. Puts myself, my family, and others at risk due to failed braking. ABS is a safety feature that is required in newer vehicles but isn-??t working. Dealer confirmed and also by 3rd party mechanic. Yes. Abs and traction control lights on. Appeared to fully not work December 2023. Had intermittent problems before starting back in 2019. I cannot afford to drive a rental car for the unforeseen future while Chrysler takes their time to figure out a statement. It isn-??t right for the customers and other drivers to be put at risk for their engineering problems. Now my truck cannot be traded in at the max value due to the ABS module failure so the customer loses money trying to get from under the non safe vehicle. Please help and save peoples lives by making Chrysler own up to their failed engineering.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #55

Feb 012024

1500

  • miles
Has had the "Hemi tick" ever since I bought it new. But didnt seem to effect performance, so I thought.......Time went on and the "tick" became louder and louder even though I got the oil changed religiously, air filters, tires, (2) tune ups, all proper maintenance was performed for the livelihood and longevity of the truck accordingly and have receipts to back up that claim. Now, at about 100,000 miles i had to replace the rear differential and axle of which i noticed was a recall of the same year and same truck but they say according to my vin number there are no recalls.......well, we need to include my truck in some of these because ive already paid out of pocket for the same problem listed in the recall. Also, regarding the active class action "HEMI TICK" lawsuit, low and behold, as i accumulated more miles, it gravitated to a loud tick, and an extreme loss of power when trying to accelerate to get on a highway or pass somebody on the highway, or even just take off from a green light.....it runs higher rpm than normal, the combustion is incorrect for sure, If I needed to hit the gas to get out of the way of danger, chances of success are grim. Twice I was on the highway going 70 and it straight up died, went blank! We were ok, thank God! My miles per gallon has dwindled away lower and lower getting about 8-11 mpg. It overheated this last summer in this condition. Anytime I parked and idled i had to have the hood open to prevent overheating. Took it to a couple auto shops and after replacing the fan clutch twice, the PCM, the throttle body/position sensor, accelerator position sensor, radiator flush, new radiator cap..........we cleared all error codes being we replaced the problems causing it to present a clear operating truck error free..........all except the engine light when turning the key to power on, it blinked 10 times. Took it to dealership who quoted 800 to tear down the engine to get to the lifters and camshaft. $5,250 quote for lawsuit problem.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #54

Nov 102023

1500

  • miles
Vehicle ABS system, brake, and towing problem warning lights are on as well as loss of cruise control. I started noticing my cruise control not functioning properly about a month or two prior to total failure. The local RAM dealer in Live Oak, FL. verified problem and admitted this has been an ongoing issue. Replacement parts are not available with a tentative availability date in March. In my research I have found these estimates of part availability to be hopeful guesses. In the meantime I am not able to tow my travel trailer or utility trailer due to this unsafe condition. My vehicle has approximately 82,000 miles on it and for this to be happening to so many of these similar vehicles is unacceptable and Chrysler be held liable for this issue. I cannot safely take my family on vacation with our travel trailer without having use of the trailer braking system. I cannot sell the vehicle like this nor can I afford to buy another vehicle to replace this RAM 1500. Thank you.

- Lake City, FL, USA

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