10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
20,891 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

Nov 012019

1500

  • 20,000 miles

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

2016 Ram drivers window regulator failure.this the 3 time the nylon clip breaks when there is cold weather. If you get just a little freeze and open the window the clip cracks. The replacement part # is 2387602835. I have owned a vehicle and never had a problem in cold weather. I was told not open your windows in the winter months. Chrysler service says don"T open the window when its below 32 degrees.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

problem #59

Mar 012019

1500

  • 48,500 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to start the vehicle after multiple attempts. On another occasion, while driving 30 mph, the headlights ceased without warning. The contact had to use the high beam headlights when operating the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to fremont motor casper (6101 E 2nd St, casper, wy 82609, (307) 462-5508) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle control module was defective. The dealer referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint and have an investigation started. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,500.

- Barnunn, WY, USA

problem #58

Aug 012019

1500

  • 39,000 miles
The tailgate latch and backup camera. The latch does not lock with the key fob or key. At the time this occurred the backup camera stopped working. We no longer can use the camera. You can hear the clicking sound when trying to remote lock the tailgate but it fails to lock.

- Ripley, WV, USA

problem #57

Sep 022019

1500

  • 51,000 miles

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

Extreme lag on acceleration from a dead stop. Extreme lag on freeway while trying to pass or merge. Post the aem emissions recall.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #56

Sep 092019

1500

  • 61,000 miles
At 61000 miles 'fuel sensor fail' warning light came on and fuel gauge read empty.also fuel low light came on flashing.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #55

Aug 222019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 69,000 miles
Driving home from work 22 August 2019, an 8 mile drive. I went to accelerate to reach posted speed limit after turning off of a side street onto main road. I had no forward momentum when I depressed the accelerator pedal. I attempted several times to manually shift gears thinking it was a transmission issue. The engine would rev up to RPM but still barely any forward momentum. I was losing speed quickly. Something grabbed my attention, not sure if I heard something out of the ordinary but I happened to look out my review and side mirrors and notice a huge plume of smoke exiting my vehicle. At about that same moment, I noticed a low oil pressure light from the instrument cluster. I immediately pulled into a driveway and shut the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was off, I still noticed a large amount of white smoke billowing from under the hood and front wheel wells. At first I thought it to be a coolant hose rupture due to the color of the smoke/steam. I immediately jumped out and opened the hood thinking it was a coolant issue. Right away I noticed a flame at the rear of the engine. I had no access to water where I was located and my only option was to blow it out. It worked for me but probably only because I had got to the fire before it was able to spread too quick. Fire/rescue was dispatched, removed engine cover and noticed smoldering plastic/wire harness and doused with 4-5 cups of water until all traces of fire were gone. Tow truck delivered vehicle to dealership approx 10 miles from where vehicle was disabled.

- Bonaire, GA, USA

problem #54

Aug 222019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • 79,000 miles

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

I was driving on the highway, lost power, throttle control error comes on, truck went into limp mode, there are smokes out the back of the truck. I took the next exit to get off the highway. Turn into gas station and engine got cut off. When I pop the hood, saw fire from the top of the engine. I pour my drinks with ice, few water bottles, and my friends drink.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #53

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 #52

Jun 152019

1500

  • 25,000 miles
There was a nationwide recall on the ecodiesel engine due to a class-action lawsuit. The repair was made and now the truck does not accelerate until the engine warms up. This is very dangerous as you pull out into traffic and the truck does not go. I have almost been hit as truck stalls and then accelerates a full 4-5 seconds later. I will not let anyone else drive my truck now due to this danger. In checking with other owners everyone who has the "update" done per the lawsuit is having the same dangerous problem. To be specific, when the engine is cold, you hit the accelerator, the truck does not accelerate for 4-5 seconds. This causes you to roll slowly into oncoming traffic.

- Prosper, TX, USA

problem #51

Feb 142019

1500

  • 44,000 miles
After I bought my 2016 Ram 1500 in February 2019 I noticed my horn and the evic on the instrument cluster stopped working causing me not to be able to read my TPMS or oil life or any other evic functions. Also with the horn not working I feel it's a huge safety issue there is a recall for this same issue on previous year models. I have noticed that the lights on the evic and cruise control switches don't illuminate either. By googling the issue it seems there are numerous other Ram 1500 owners with the same issue. I feel these are all major safety issues and should be investigated.

- Dewitt, AR, USA

problem #50

Apr 202019

1500

  • 27,800 miles

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

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 #49

Mar 012019

1500

  • 46,000 miles
The evic (electronic vehicle information center) switches do not work so I cannot see safety related issues displayed on the instrument panel. Lights on cruise switch and electronic gear shift do not illuminate nor does the evic control buttons located on the left and right side of steering wheel. I was driving at night and while trying to set the cruise control, because the lights won't illuminate I hit the gear down button and downshifted to 1st on the highway while doing about 55mph almost causing a accident. From research I've done online I believe it may have a bad clockspring as other owners have had the same issue on the same and similar year models

- Dewitt, AR, USA

problem #48

Feb 142019

1500

  • 45,600 miles
The horn and the steering wheel controls do not work. The horn will work when locking my vehicle with the key fob but not by pressing the horn. The controls on the steering wheel do not work at all.

- Dewitt, AR, USA

problem #47

Nov 202017

1500

  • 23,000 miles
I would like to thank Ram with the awesome troubleshooting skills you have provided me with my parking sensors in my 2016 Ram. After 6 trips to the dealership replaced almost all the sensors and the control module. Your answer is to turn off your sensors when it's not sunny and dry out because rain!!!! can affect an outdoor sensor. So anytime it rains I need to turn my sensors off and turn them back on when its dry. Now explain to me why I would want to buy a Fiat/Chrysler product.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #46

Jan 252019

1500

  • 32,000 miles
The original problem happened earlier in January of 2019. I opened my vehicle and upon starting it, I began to put my seat belt on I noticed the tension on the belt was non existent. In fact I had to "help" the belt back down into the pulley. It has not worked since. Shortly afterwards my air bag light came on on my dash. I have received multiple factory recall postcards in the mail at my new house listing my VIN/vehicle as well as issues with the seat belt and air bag system. Upon receiving these postcards, I followed the instructions as it stated on the card and called two local Ram service centers: Brunswick auto mart 3031 center rd, brunswick, oh 44212 (330) 460-0721 (authorized Ram service center) and spitzer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram cleveland 13001 brookpark rd, brook park, oh 44142 (216) 267-2100. The brunswick service center refused to acknowledge the recalls as they pertain to my vehicle and told me that I would be charged. The brook park service center told me that my VIN was not coming up in their system. I still receive the vehicle recall postcards from Fiat-Chrysler-Dodge-Ram however my local service centers refuse to fix the issues because I didnt purchase from them. I originally purchased this vehicle out of state. I have also has problems with my turn signal lamp consistently going out. I purchased the vehicle with less than 15,000 miles on it. It now has a little over 30,000 miles.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #45

Feb 072019

1500 8-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
Vehicle completely died in the intersection right after taking off from the stoplight. Could not remove key and it will not shift into park. The consumer stated vehicle was repaired, a loose battery terminal was the problem.

- Macedon, NY, USA

problem #44

Jan 292019

1500

  • 15,400 miles
28 degrees F this morning. I started truck and let it warm up for 5 min. Disengaged the parking brake, put it in drive. As I started to move (3) error messages came up on dash: Service shifter, service transmission, service throttle control. I stopped truck, turned it off and then started it again. No error codes; engine warning light on. I drove to work 2.5 miles away. I had to stop at a traffic light and engine just turned off. Dash board was flickering. I put truck in park, turned key off and then tried to restart truck. Nothing, lights still flickering on dash. I tried to put on hazard lights but no power to them. I tried multiple times to restart truck but to no avail. At some point it wouldn't even let me turn the key to off. It was stuck in the "accessory" position. I did catch an error message on the dashboard that said "no bus". if I was moving when truck shut down I would have gotten into an accident; no power brakes or steering. After about 5 minutes sitting at traffic light, the dashboard lights stopped flickering and the truck appeared to reset itself. At this point I was able to start the truck and get to work. The truck has been in four times for "service shifter" error. On three of the visits the dealer loaded new software into the truck to address this and a few recalls. The last visit (3) weeks ago the software was changed so if the truck is not in park, the driver's door is open, truck is in gear, and the driver's foot is not pressing on the brake pedal the computer will put truck in park they also replaced the rotary shifter switch. Since that time the service transmission, service shifter and service throttle control error started and has appeared three times. 2016 Ram express 1500 was bought new in July 2017 and has 15,400 miles on it. I have no confidence in this vehicle as it will leave me stranded at some point.

- Milford, CT, USA

problem #43

Jan 222019

1500

  • 38,801 miles
When the engine is shut off and the key removed the ignition portion of the switch does not come out and remains in the lower position in the switch. The key can be used to get the switch to the position to start the truck.this situation does not happen all of the time. The dealership said that they could not duplicate the problem..

- Rocky Mount, NC, USA

problem #42

Dec 212018

1500

  • 92,000 miles
Driving on a highway at 60 M/H engine start smoking and caught on fire without any previous alert or check engine light on after I pullover and lift the hood to inspect the smoke.

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #41

Dec 102018

1500

  • 57,897 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 45 mph, the fuel gauge went from full to empty. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and all the electrical features shut down. The vehicle was taken to brown motors of greenfield (399 federal St, greenfield, MA 01301) where it was diagnosed that either the fuel sensor or the sending unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 57,897.

- Ware, MA, USA

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