10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 1
Average Mileage:
19,740 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 1 of 7)

problem #127

Feb 152024

1500

  • miles

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

Ram has an issue with the electronic brake module. It effects the anti-brake, anti-slip, trailer brake, and cruise control. They are aware of it and it is documented on many forums as far back as 2016 on my model. My son has a 2018 2500 and is starting to have the same issues. This is an $1100 job but they don't have the part and can't get it. They say it is on back order? No real guarantee it will even last when it is replaced. This is a hazard driving. And definitely an issue you need to address

- Hamilton , OH, USA

problem #126

Dec 052024

1500

  • miles
Since buying our 2016 Ram 1500 ecodiesel, we have had nothing but problems. In 2020 there was an EGR/coolant leak that was supposedly done. Upon getting the recall done, they said that the manufacturer has not yet made any equipment to fix the issue. They replaced our hose, but we have had to get it fixed almost annually since then. This is a lemon of a truck and FCA should be ashamed releasing a vehicle with so many issues and no fix in sight. It says our recall was "remedied", but even the service department said that there is no guaranteed fix because FCA has not released anything to actually fix this issue. We were without our truck for almost a month. Ridiculous. DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK, YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!

- Ridgefield, WA, USA

problem #125

Nov 082024

1500

  • miles
ABS Code C2200-49, anti-lock brake module internal electronic failure. Have not been able to source a new ABS control module for my vehicle. Apparently Dodge/Mopar/Chrysler has stopped producing this part. No ABS makes it dangerous to drive in the snowy/wet conditions prevalent during the winter months, especially in New York State. ABS, traction control, and brake lights are illuminated on dash. Owners manual states that the vehicle should not be driven with the brake light illuminated. Don-??t really have a choice but to drive the vehicle, as I can-??t afford to park the vehicle for an unknown period of time until the new module becomes available.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #124

Nov 012024

1500

  • miles

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

The power steering quit the steering was very different to use and make turns. There is a steering wheel icon in red and message that says to service power steering. I took into dealer after a day they got the code to reset I drove home and the code came back on and I lost power steering again and the steering icon is back on. The dealer says you will have to replace the power steering module which doesn-??t seam right if they can temporarily get it to clear

- Roy, UT, USA

problem #123

Sep 242024

1500

  • miles
I was driving the truck and went to make a turn and suddenly the power steering went. It was very difficult to drive and was a definite hazard to myself and others. I took the truck to the dealer where they in turn said there was not a problem with the power steering. I have included the document given to me by the dealership. Upon my own investigation the power steering has defaulted many other drivers as well. This should be a recall. I then disconnected the battery and reconnected it two days later and the power steering returned. Withing the next few days the power steering went again. This is an electrical power steering and needs to be investigated asap. Yor help in greatly appreciated. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #122

Oct 282024

1500

  • miles
ABS module on the vehicle has failed. Took it to be diagnosed and was told the code was that there was an internal component failure and the module would need to be replaced as it is a common issue. Intermittent service power steering message while driving and power steering stops working making vehicle has to maneuver at low speeds. Power steering returns after the vehicle is shut off and restarted. Have not been able to be reproduced for dealer to diagnose.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

problem #121

Sep 162024

1500

  • miles

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

ABS / BRAKE / TRACTION CONTROL/CRUISE CONTROL I am having problems with the list above. I have had my brakes, rotors and abs sensors replaced. Not to mention the dealership (Nyle Maxwell -Killeen, TX) supposedly did thorough check up and also changed out all the brake necessities a few years back. *** will NEVER take my truck back to them EVER.**** The problem is because of this, I am a hazard to be on the road. My brakes work, but may give out at anytime if too much pressure is applied. This is due to a faulty ABS Module. Through no fault of my own, I'm having to pay out of pocket for a fix that the MANUFACTURER is responsible for. ****Please issue a RECALL on the part. It will save you lives and money in the long haul.**** I've always loved Dodge/Ram Trucks. Please issue a recall.

- Copperas Cove , TX, USA

problem #120

Aug 252024

1500

  • miles
When driving I lost steering and received dashboard alarm with service power steering. Turned the truck off, when I turned it back on the steering was working. A week later I lost steering again while driving.

- Beckley, WV, USA

problem #119

Jun 012023

1500

  • miles
My problem is with my Ram ABS/Traction control, cruise control doesn-??t work, 4 wheel drive will not engage. Having only rear wheel drive makes it hard and dangerous to drive on snow covered roads. Almost hit a semi head on because my traction control and 4 wheel drive doesn-??t work. I-??ve been waiting almost 2 years for a new ABS controller. Chrysler has put the part I need on back order like 5 times in the last two years and winter is coming and it-??s not safe to drive my truck on snow covered roads. I don-??t know what to do. I-??ve seen and heard lots of people having the same issue with the RAM trucks. Please help. Thank you!

- Celina, OH, USA

problem #118

Mar 142024

1500

  • miles
I was driving the truck when the light came on for EBS (Electronic Braking System) and the steering wheel locked up then the truck dash read a warning stating "Service Power Steering". Through my research on Kelly Blue Book this is a common problem with this year make and model of Ram 1500 pickups yet mine doesn't have this as a specific recall. I also have an issue with the exhaust manifold bolts rattling loose separating the exhaust manifold separating from the rear of the engine block at the head. My father owns a 2014 Ram 1500 and had that same issue with his exhaust manifold and I know 3 other gentlemen that had the issue with the exhaust manifold I was wondering seeing as these are common problems with this generation of Ram 1500's if I could have these 3 issues put out as recalls on my specific Ram 1500 because with these common problems I feel like I shouldn't have to come out of pocket to pay for them. Please consider my complaint. Thank you.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #117

Apr 242024

1500

  • miles

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

while driving the abs, traction control, brake lites came on, also cruise quit an service abs brake and service trailer brake appeared on dash this happened in april 2024 it does this evertime you crank it after a mechanic lookibg at it an me calling dealerships an looking on line there is thousands of ram trucks with this problem stallantis has known about part defects an stopped the production of it but they are not producing new ones so peoole like me that has only one vehicle are have to drive these unsave vehicle there is a class action lawsuit but it only list 2017 -2018 my truck is 2016 and on ram truck forums there are even 2015 with problem i am stuck with this unsafe truck because i cant sell it when there is no part to fix

- Trinity, TX, USA

problem #116

Jul 182024

1500

  • miles
On Thursday July 18, 2024 at approximately 5:00pm. I was on my way home from picking my son up from daycare when the screen turned black and my shift knob light (above D letter) began blinking and about 10 seconds later the truck shut off completely. The key wasn-??t able to be removed from the ignition. About five minutes later, I was able to turn the key and turn the truck back on. This was a frightening moment because I was crossing over railroad track when this started.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #115

May 302024

1500

  • miles
ABS module / Hydraulic Control Unit failure

- Harvest, AL, USA

problem #114

May 292024

1500

  • miles
While driving, dash board alert notice of shifter requiring service appeared. Message states not to take gear out of "D" until reaching desired location or may not be able to use "D" again. Later Engine, power steering, air suspension, anti skid alerts began to appear is sequence. Cruise control and other electrical feature will not work during alert. Last anywhere between 5 and 30 or more minutes. Happened 2 days ago while on vacation road trip to Gulf. In Gulf shores now. Now I get an email from dealer about purchasing car insurance repair plan. Seems odd on the timing. Please help. Vehicle will restart and go into gears. Power steering may not work for up to five minutes. Have to stop and restart. Sporadic operation. Suspect tactics by dealer repair database to get customers to buy repair insurance or get vehicle into shop/trade for new vehicle. Please help. Do not know if recent CDK hack involves my dealer.

- Chillicothe, IL, USA

problem #113

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 #112

May 152024

1500

  • miles
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 #111

May 042024

1500

  • miles
No one has ever fixed my recalls but it says it was done. I-??m am getting the occupant light and having electric problems. Also there is leaking around the top break light causing it to leak inside

- Mather, CA, USA

problem #110

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 #109

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 #108

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

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