10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
34 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,417 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 10)

problem #186

Aug 272024

1500

  • miles

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

This vehicle has had an open recall (22V-406) open since June 2022, Dodge Ram still hasn't provided enough parts to the dealers to fix this recall. The parts have been on back order for two years. Considering this vehicle is registered in California, soon this will lead to us not being able to renew our vehicle registration. Dodge Ram needs to produce and provide the parts necessary to remedy this recall, I feel that two years is sufficient time to get this completed.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

problem #185

Aug 172024

1500

  • miles
The vehicle suddenly started performing very erratically on highway. After inspection the camshaft and lifters are very damaged and the engine is constantly misfiring. I have performed regular routine maintenance on this vehicle its whole life. There is no reason these parts should be damaged unless they were defective from the beginning.

- Lebanon, IN, USA

problem #184

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 #183

Aug 012023

1500

  • miles

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

1. The vehicle has steering issues and is no longer drive able. Steering difficulty began in mid to late August 2023. The steering is now impossible to use and vehicle to l is rendered inoperable. 2. Since purchasing the vehicle I have noticed the transmission is having issues shifting gears. The rpm will be high at speeds of 40-60mph, and the vehicle will only shift to a different gear if I take my foot off the gas pedal for an extended period of time. I had auto mechanic troubleshoot and repair what he thought was a dirty or faulty sensor. Issue continues.

- Antioch, IL, USA

problem #182

Mar 012024

1500

  • miles
There was a recall on my 2016, dodge ram eco-diesel for the crankshaft position sensor and tone wheel. I have tried to deal with the manufacture they said this is not in effect anymore, and my vehicle was not in it. I do not understand they recalled certain plants that made certain vehicles. Mine has same motor Same problems only 130,000 miles

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

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problem #181

Dec 062023

1500

  • miles
The power steering shuts off randomly.

- Oviedo , FL, USA

problem #180

Jan 222024

1500

  • miles

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

While driving through mountainous terrain, my truck became unable to change gears and illuminated a check engine light and an electronic throttle control warning. I was able to limp it home to the dealership for repairs where they identified that the crankshaft tonewheel had delaminated. This exact issue is addressed in recall W68/NHTSA 20V-475 by FCA with the verbiage: "The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel on your vehicle provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this signal material is lost, the engine loses its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine. A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning." Incredulously, FCA will not reimburse me for the cost of the repairs because they did not include my VIN in their W68 recall announcement. The exact part failed in the exact manner outlined in this recall, but their method to avoid liability is to simply say my VIN wasn't affected by the manufacturing defect--which it obviously was. Instead, they included my affected VIN in their W58 recall--which like a safe driver I complied with immediately--that only consisted of a software flash and an extended mileage/time warranty on the part (should it fail), that of course failed within 2 months of the warranty period expiring. I cannot understand how NHTSA would allow FCA to exclude VINs from W68 that were clearly affected by this very same manufacturing defect, and instead loop in clearly affected VINs in a simple software flash with a limited extended warranty. I ask that NHTSA please hold FCA accountable for this manufacturing defect and correctly cover ALL affected VINs with recall W68/NHTSA 20V-475.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #179

Dec 062023

1500

  • miles
While driving at 70 MPH down I-90 in upstate New York, during rush hour traffic, my 2016 Ram 1500 eco diesel lost power (engine stopped). The truck lost power, including a loss in power steering. I was able to navigate the truck to the side of the road and a state trooper pull behind me while waiting for the tow truck. The truck would not start after this. There was no advanced warning for this failure. There were no warning lights, and before the engine stall, the truck was driving and behaving as it should. The truck was towed to a mechanic off the highway and later towed to Castilone Dodge in Batavia NY. The dealer found the magnetic perimeter of the tone wheel was flaking, which caused an issue with the driveshaft sensor, causing the truck to stall. Castilone found there is an existing recall on this for 2014-2019 RAM eco diesel trucks. The recall is for "Risk of delamination of crankshaft position sensor tone wheels". However, upon looking into this and calling RAM directly, RAM stated the recall only affects some VINs, and mine was not included. I spoke to two different people at RAM, who reiterated this. RAM claims that my truck received a good tone wheel, which was not included in the recall, and because of this, they refused to cover the repair and towing bill. The truck was taken to West Herr RAM in Lockport, NY, where they replaced the tone wheel for $1,760.65. I find it curious, that my truck experienced the same issue that was covered under recall warranty for other 2014-2018 RAM EcoDiesels. But my truck VIN was not captured in the recall. I asked RAM to investigate whether there are additional VINs that should be captured under the recall. They refused to escalate my request or do any additional research. I'm asking for help form the NHTSA to hold RAM accountable to at least determine if this issue impacts additional trucks.

- Waterport, NY, USA

problem #178

Nov 012023

1500

  • miles
2016 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L 4x4 6 speed. Transmission failed at 149000 kms. Highly maintained police fleet vehicle. Never towed any weights. Transmission failed. Both 4th and 5th gear + O/D clutch are bad.

- London,Ontario,N6g0z9, NY, USA

problem #177

Jun 082023

1500

  • miles
Nothing happened, yet. The magnetic material attached to the reluctor wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this signal material is lost, the engine loses its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. This loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall, as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine. Safety Risk A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.. This is another recall on a new problem. The previous one dated June 09, 2022. These are grossly unsafe. And, again, there is no remedy, no parts available and unknown if or when they will be.. I'd like FCA to buy back this vehicle at the market value it was on June 09, 2022. It's wrong to have to have such serious issues wrong with a vehicle that are dangerously unsafe and potentially deadly.

- Clayton, CA, USA

problem #176

Jan 142023

1500

  • miles

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

My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truck being over 5 years old, the power train warranty no longer covers this. Ram is well aware of this issue but still refuses to initiate a recall. This issue presents a safety concern and has a potential to endanger myself and any other passengers who get in the vehicle due to raw engine exhaust fumes being released within the engine bay while the vehicle is running which could enter the cabin of the vehicle while in operation causing potential injury.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #175

Jun 302022

1500

  • miles
there was a recall issued june 2022 and there are still no parts avaiable to repair it. how long in the NHTSA's opinion is a timely manner for repair of a condition that states "may cause a vehicle to crash"? I have a truck that's been sitting, dangerous to drive for 8 months. i called but whoever i spoke with couldn't give me a timeline. if someone who knows could let me kno, i'd appreciate

- Mullica Hill, NJ, USA

problem #174

Jan 072022

1500

  • miles
My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truck being over 5 years old, the power train warranty no longer covers this. Ram is well aware of this issue but still refuses to initiate a recall. This issue presents a safety concern and has a potential to endanger myself and any other passengers who get in the vehicle due to raw engine exhaust fumes being released within the engine bay while the vehicle is running which could enter the cabin of the vehicle while in operation causing potential injury.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #173

Aug 012019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
I've been trying for over three years to obtain a repair for severe lag in acceleration in my 2016 Dodge Ram Eco Diesel. It's a critical safety hazard. A recall was issued June 2022, but Dodge continues to say a remedy is not available. Dodge has known about this issue for several years, and still does not have a fix? As I said in my first complaint submitted Jan 2020 (11300317), how many lives will continue to be put at risk because of this issue? Please help.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #172

Dec 232022

1500

  • miles
Traveling at hwy speeds the vehicle lurched as if the brakes were suddenly slammed on then removed. Speed was reduced to 60 mph, no sounds or vibrations noticed so began accelerating back to hwy speeds. RPM kept building but speed was not increasing as normal. Within a few seconds loud banging under the vehicle was heard and half the drive shaft came out the back flipping end over end down the hwy. The shaft struck the grill of a jeep following me but no damage was seen upon inspection. The truck came to a relatively calm stop on the side of the road. Both halves of the drive shaft were recovered, one from the middle of the road, the other about 20 yards into the ditch. Rear diff was spilling fluid. All casings and covers seemed to be intact. Towed to Dealer, inspected and they said best they figure is the axle seized up, destroyed the diff, and shaft. They do not believe the transmission or transfer case were affected but can't be sure until new rear assembly and shaft installed. No one was injured in this event, although if the speed and height of the axle shaft flipping end over end down the hwy into the jeep was different serious injury could have occurred. Additionally, if a component of the rear assembly came off the truck could have come to a violent stop.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #171

Dec 142022

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
Driving 40 mph and suddenly motor died warnings for throttle and other flashing but coming around a curve was difficult to steer and stopped on curve and had to be pushed out of the way tried to start to no avail and had it towed to a local dealership where they determined it was a common problem with the tone wheel/ reluctor plate that apparently delaminates and loses part of a magnet on the outside which apparently they is a warranty expressly for this problem for 2014-2018 ram 1500 3.0 eco diesels which I-??m being told by the dealership that chrysler says my vehicle is not covered ? Why I don-??t understand.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #170

Apr 292022

1500

  • miles
On April 29, 2022 while driving 75mph pulling a trailer my truck (Ram 1500 3.0L Ecodiesel) lost full power and electrical. When taken to the dealership for repair, they found that the crank shaft position sensor tone ring attached to the flywheel had become delaminated and caused the entire truck to shut down. When I inquired about a separate recall NHTSA Recall No. : 20V-475, but was told that didn't include my truck. I believe that FCA did not include all the vehicles possible in the previous recall and are putting people at risk as a result.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #169

Nov 262022

1500

  • miles
The service electronic throttle control keeps coming on despite efforts to correct. The sensor was cleaned but the throttle control warning light continues to come on. The vehicle emissions are too high and impacting the power train. The vehicle loses power significantly and will not accelerate and the electronic throttle control warning light will come on. This issue is dangerous to the wellbeing of drivers as the loss of acceleration could increase risk of collision. Based on reading forums about the 2015-2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is notorious for this occurring. This is endangering the lives of all owners as there is no indication that this is going to occur, and no recall has been issued.

- Olive Hill, KY, USA

problem #168

Aug 102022

1500

  • miles
There is an open recall for certain vin#'s 20v-475 that happened to my vehicle and according to message boards a lot of other vehicles that have the failure of the tone wheel to the exact way the recall is listed but for some reason the vin does't fall under the recall. My vehicle had a complete shut down without warning or noises while driving at highway speeds on a windy narrow parkway with minimal shoulder. If I wasn't driving in the right lane at the time my situation could've been even more dangerous than it already was. I don't understand how a part that that is used in all ecodiesel engines from 2014-2018 and has a known failure is supposedly only affecting a small percentage of engines when they all have the same part. I have searched message board after message board and have found a lot of listings of this part failure all on vin's that for some reason aren't on the recall. As a SAFETY precaution letters should've went out to all ecodiesel vehicles within those years to at least alert drivers theres a potential for this failure. If it wasn't for the fuel pump recall that they do not have a fix for, I wouldn't have been as aware of m vehicle possibly shutting down without warning. Again I think as a SAFETY precaution letters should be sent to all ecodiesel owners alerting them of this possible engine failure that could endanger their lives and open an investigation to see why a part used in all of the vehicles only affects certain ones when it is obviously failing in all ecodiesel engines.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #167

Aug 092022

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
While traveling at highway speeds on a narrow parkway with minimal shoulders, the vehicle without warning or noise shut down, almost causing a major accident and I wouldn't have been able to get to the shoulder if I wasn't in the right lane. The shoulder barely had room for my truck putting myself and other vehicles at risk. There was ABSOLUTELY no warning that my car was going to completely shut down, no lights illuminated on my dash until i was on the grass and the engine was dead. The dealership confirms the exact issue was a failure of the Magnetic tone wheel that has a NHTSA Recall# 20V-475, that is an identical symptom and diagnosis to my exact issue. The dealership Meadowlands of Carmel (845)225-8468 [XXX] in the service department quoted me $1,600 plus tax to replace the magnetic tone wheel. I am also a government employee and I am unable to get to work. My engine type and year (2016) is identical to this recall stated above (20V-475), but for some reason that no one at RAM Customer Service or the RAM Recall Department can identify why my VIN number is excluded from a recall that my VIN is clearly a part of. I had ZERO symptoms, warnings before I could have been potentially killed. My kids were thankfully not in the car with me. I feel this is well within the spectrum of my VIN number qualifying to participate in this recall coverage, as well as other RAMS who may not even be aware of this without doing their own research of the circumstances and symptoms. I feel incredibly lucky to be alive and I follow my maintenance as recommended to a tee. Please feel free to go to Meadowlands in Carmel, NY: 1952 US-6 Carmel, NY 10512. Please see recall I am referring to: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V475-5815.PDF Time is of the essence for me and if i can be of any help please do not hesitate to call me at [XXX]. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

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