10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,016 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 8 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Dec 012019

1500

  • 28,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of eureka (located at 4320 S broadway St, eureka, ca 95503, 707-382-3208) where it was diagnosed that the egr failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 71585937. The contact was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

- Mckinleyville, CA, USA

problem #113

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 #112

Oct 122019

1500

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While the contact's husband was driving 70 mph, the vehicle began to sputter. The driver pulled the vehicle over and smoke was seen underneath the engine compartment. Due to the weather conditions, the rain was able to extinguish the fire that was starting underneath the vehicle. The police arrived, but the contact was unsure if a police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to hartley's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (30 main St, newport, me 04953, (207) 368-5751) where it was diagnosed that the egr cooler was defective, which caused the fire. Weeks later, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine, engine cooling). The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure through the dealer and was currently awaiting the part. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Waldo, ME, USA

problem #111

Dec 092019

1500

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact took the vehicle to burns motors (1300 E business hwy 83, mcallen, tx 78501, (956) 984-4400), but the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer also stated that the part was not available and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #110

Dec 012019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. After the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling), it was discovered that the coolant was low inside the vehicle, as listed in the recall. Autonation Chrysler Dodge Ram valencia (23820 creekside rd, valencia, ca) stated that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000. Consumer also stated acceleration is lagging.

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

problem #109

Dec 092019

1500

  • 42,000 miles
Did the new ecodiesel update and now truck lags during acceleration. Takes a second or 2 to take off. Also with the egr cooler recall I'm losing coolant can possibly cause a fire. Fca told me when I called to carry a jug of coolant with me to refill as needed. I would think I would have to do this on a 3 year old truck.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #108

Nov 082019

1500

  • 48,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was unable to be driven. Rockie williams premier Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (located at 600 pleasant grove rd, mt. Juliet, tn 37122, (615) 288-8525) was contacted and the contact stated that they exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The part was not available for the repair. The failure mileage was 48,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #107

Sep 022019

1500

  • 36,500 miles
I purchased a new 2106 Ram 1500 ecodiesel in 2016 from a dealer. There was an emissions recall for which I took to the dealer and had done according to the manufacturer. Since the recall was completed I have had a serious lag in acceleration. There is now a 3 to 4 second delay at 3/4 throttle before the truck takes off in a lurch. I asked the dealer how this can be fixed to accelerate as before the recall and they said there was nothing they could and that they would not undo the computer changes. I live off a busy street and trying to flow into traffic is a real challenge and a safety hazard. I'm afraid to lend my truck to family and friends because of the safety hazard and wanted to make sure a complaint has been filed.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #106

Sep 102019

1500

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While making a right turn, the vehicle hesitated to move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to larry H. miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram sandy (10905 auto mall dr, sandy, ut 84070, (801) 590-0465) where it was diagnosed that the engine software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no remedy. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #105

Nov 242019

1500

  • 52,000 miles
It was just recently brought to my attention that there was a technical service bulletins sent out for the 3.0 ecodiesel to change the type/specification of oil and to go against what the owners manual states because the manual is wrong. It calls for an oil that is to light breaks down molecular weight too quickly and trucks and Jeep alike equiped with the ecodiesel have been having catastrophic engine failure due to premature engine wear on internal components. It is recommended to put 5W40 in instead. This is first and foremost true I did research and confirmed that the change was made but never made public to the owners like the current class action lawsuits was. Many owners don't know this change exsisted and many owners don't know that the dealerships are still making this error and continuing to fill the trucks with 5W30 for owners that come in for service. If it's to save money by not throwing away already purchased merchandise or ignorance I don't know. But this is huge because now even if owners change now they still have potential and highly probable permanent internal damage done to their engine taking a drastic amount out of the possible longevity of the engine away, and the new oil required reduces fuel economy furthering the financial burden of the owner that bought the vehicle with a different fuel economy advertised and with the knowledge that their vehicle may never last as long as they're hope because of the failure of the fca to identify this and make it public. Not to mention the dealerships are aware of this problem because articles claim mechanics have been coming forward saying dealerships are draining all 5W30 on unsold vehicles and replacing it with 5W40. Yet they refuse to make this a class action lawsuits to the public so we can know. We deserve the compensation for the costs that may come about because of this!!!

- Havelock, NC, USA

problem #104

Sep 162019

1500

  • 149,500 miles

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

Vehicle taken in on 8-12-19 to dealership to check out driveability concerns after "approved emisson modification" they had it to apply update from 5-17-19 to 6-12-19, concerns on 8-12-19 were acceleration, also to check egr system as I was losing coolant they had my vehicle from 8-12-19/9-13-19 when they called me telling me I needed to return the rental car and pick my vehicle as they couldn't do anything for the acceleration I would have to wait for an update to be released. They didn't check the egr system only topped it off with coolant and told me to watch it. All was fine until 9-16-19 when I was on my way to work, about 7 miles from work the check engine light came on I continued on about a mile from my work location the service throttle control light illuminated I lost the ability to accelerate and about 1/4-1/2 mile away from the work location the low oil pressure light illuminated and vehicle died. I finished coasting into the driveway and parked went inside to get work related paperwork I needed and came back outside and see smoke coming from under the hood. I open the hood to see what was going on and there was smoke/fire on the left side of engine bay when staring in (intake, egr area) at that point I got in to the vehicle to put it in neutral via disengagement lever to roll vehicle away from the house I got it away from the house and got out and away and called fire department to come extinguish the fire as it was engulfed in flames at that point. Resulting in a total loss of the vehicle. Now afterwards there is now a recall for the egr cooler that "may fatigue and cause vehicle fire" Chrysler has been contacted and aren't willing to do anything they sent out Bosch automotive engineering people to inspect the vehicle it was stated there was no vehicle manufacturing defect. A buyback claim has been started but I have not heard anything to this point.

- Arkansas City, KS, USA

problem #103

Oct 032019

1500

  • 48,800 miles
2016 ecodiesel has a malfunctioning egr cooler and leaks coolant into the exhaust system thus causing several issues: Cel code P20ee, loss of coolant at a rate of 2 gallons per week, dpf issue & def injector issues. Ram customer care says I should just drive it and "monitor" the coolant level and I get to pay for that at $20 a gallon at two gallons per week until January 2020 or later. With the possibility that the engine will get on fire.. there is a fix, so Ram says but no parts and we are to drive a vehicle with major issue for months? appears Ram doesn't care about customer safety only their money. Greedy, greedy...

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #102

May 142019

1500

  • 122,000 miles
When the vehicle's HVAC is activated a very strong smell of exhaust fumes permeates the cab of the vehicle. A haze from the exhaust also enters into the cab. Both of these occurs whether the vehicle is stopped or moving. This requires that the HVAC not be operated.

- Walla Walla, WA, USA

problem #101

Oct 222019

1500

  • 62,000 miles
Bought my truck 7-22-2019 with 61.885 miles on it three days later the egr blew a gasket, stayed in the shop three days. Weak later the Dodge dealer changed out my coolent and the truck was wrecked at the dear lership stayed in the shop for eight days, two weaks later the oil cooler is leaking and I can not drive it and the dealerahip has it already for three weaks and was told not to look for parts until January or later, have only put around 2000 miles on it. Case no.-68164081 bv-

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #100

Aug 212019

1500

  • 70,600 miles
The contact owned a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V757000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving 65 mph, there was an abnormal grinding noise detected from the engine and the low oil pressure and electrical warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. In addition, flames were detected under the hood prior to smoke being detected. The contact was not sure if a police report was filed. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot and then towed to lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of eureka (4320 broadway St, eureka, ca 95503, 707) 382-3208). The dealer refused to service the vehicle and had it towed back to the local tow lot. The vehicle was currently in the insurance company's possession where it was considered a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously taken to lithia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of eureka (4320 broadway St, eureka, ca 95503, (707) 382-3208) due to the engine stalling. The dealer could not duplicate or determine the cause of the failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they could not prove that the failure was due to a manufacturer defect. The failure mileage was 70,600.

- Kneeland, CA, USA

problem #99

Sep 022019

1500

  • 56,000 miles
This 2016 3.0L eco diesel is a death trap after fca reprogramed the software 2 months ago. 2-4 second hesitation when you press on the gas. The truck just sits there and does not move. In two months I have had 3 close calls pulling into traffic. Extremely scary when you hit the gas and nothing happens and a car is coming down the highway at you at 55 mph and you're seconds from getting T-boned. It's just a matter of time before people start dying in this death trap. The diesel had many problems before they reprogramed it. Since new the truck has gone into limp mode 4 times where the engine lights come on and the motor shuts down to about 10 mpg. Last time I almost got killed on the freeway when this happened. You're stuck on the highway going 5-10 mph trying to get off the highway when cars are flying past you at 70 mph. These 3.0L Dodge eco diesels are very, very, very dangerous to drive. After the reprograming from fca they have a very dangerous turbo lag time. Fca has done nothing to address the problem. The reprograming of the software made them worse and more dangerous. Because of the way they designed this eco diesel, it is prone to catch fire. On my truck I had a fire under the hood and a hole melted through the intake manifold. Luckily, the truck did not burst into flames but it was in the dealership for almost 3 weeks being repaired. This truck is very dangerous and the truck needs to be recalled and if fca can't fix them, they need to buy them back and get these death traps off the road. Sorry, I can't describe just a single specific instance, it's dangerous every time you get behind the wheel. I would like to meet with the president of fca and have him take my truck for a drive with his family in it and then give his opinion as to the quality of this engine. I do not allow my wife to drive this truck as it's a death trap.

- Gladstone, MI, USA

problem #98

Jun 152019

1500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 65 mph, a loud rattling noise was detected. The vehicle stalled and was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact and his son-in-law diagnosed the failure as cylinder two misfiring. The heads were replaced, but the vehicle was still currently awaiting other repairs. Thunder Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1425 w main St, bartow, fl 33830, (863) 533-0793) was called and informed the contact that there were no recalls for the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Eaton Park, FL, USA

problem #97

Oct 262019

1500

  • 67,000 miles
Coolant leaking from back of motor research says it's a common problem coolant line to turbo has a piece of rubber hose under intake and the rubber can't hold up to the temp 67000 miles on truck

- Twincity, GA, USA

problem #96

Oct 232019

1500

  • 65,895 miles
Ecodiesel model pickup while towing our 4,000 lb travel trailer at 50 mph on a state highway, 90 miles into a camping/fishing trip, suddenly displayed symbol and message alerts on the dash and at the same time lost engine power. I was able to keep enough speed to pull onto a dirt side road within the next couple hundred yards, then coasted to a stop. During the last 20 yards, the engine died completely so I had no power steering. At full stop there was a strong chemical smell in the cab and grey smoke coming from the hood. When I opened the driver door, grey smoke was billowing from the left front wheel well. When I opened the hood, there was a fire in the engine compartment. Flames were shooting up from behind the engine, the insulation on the underside of the hood was burning and flakes of burning insulation were floating around in the engine compartment. I was able to put out the fire with an extinguisher before the entire truck and trailer and the surrounding forest caught on fire. Just as the flames died out, the coolant reservoir on top of the engine burst and boiling coolant sprayed out creating a bunch of steam and more bad chemical smell. I arranged for the truck to be towed to our hometown dealer. Truck was stock and dealer maintained. I am waiting to hear from the dealer and their Ram investigator on what caused the fire and how this matter will be handled.

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #95

Sep 262019

1500

  • 66,000 miles
I bought my truck on the 25th at 6pm. And at 7P on the 26th it had caught fire on the highway and burnt ro the ground with me and my pregnant wife in the truck. I heard ticking coming from the motor followed by a loud pop and then lost all power no gas response and coasted to breakdown lane just barley got mi wife out of the truck and the truck was fully elguffed.

- West Haven, CT, USA

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