10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
29,553 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 1 of 4)

problem #72

Sep 092024

1500

  • miles

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

ABS control module failed while driving. This also took out cruise control and electronic stability. This can cause brakes to lock up and/or a loss of control in inclement weather.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

problem #71

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 #70

Oct 262023

1500

  • miles
the abs module brake setstem has not been working properly for about 9 to 10 months. when I call to see if dealership they keep telling that their engineers are still working on the problem. the problem can go out anytime. i would like for the NHTSA to investagate the problem. I was told that this problem is a big safety problem.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #69

Nov 282023

1500

  • miles

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

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 #68

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 #67

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 #66

Nov 102023

1500

  • miles

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

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

problem #65

Nov 282023

1500

  • miles
Service Electronic braking system. ABS dashboard light illuminated. Traction control symbol illuminated. Dashboard brakelight illuminated. Faulty ABS control module diagnosted by independent repair center.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #64

Aug 152023

1500

  • miles
Abs brake light is on and cruise won-??t work with brake light on told by dealer ABS MODULE HAS FAILED manufacturer has no idea when parts will be available This needs to be a recall don-??t know if abs brakes will ever work

- Mint Hill , NC, USA

problem #63

Aug 262023

1500

  • miles
Same issue as NHTSA is investigating on RAM 2500 is occuring on RAM1500 frequently. ABS computer failure. Warning lights on for ABS, ESC and parking brake. My RAM dealer found defective ABS computer and told me its on back order. My issue popped up in August and apparantly back order is until at least/earliest March of 2024. This is based on multiple comments found on internet from others with same issue. If comments are true, backorder is not for procuring parts but for engineering to advise a solution. Clearly RAM is aware of the issue yet has not issued a recall or offered any solution. According to nhtsa own site there are multiple reports of this type failure on RAM 1500s. Also here is another link to a site where people list there complaints with many related to same symptoms: [XXX] While this has not caused an accident or issue, No one can answer how safe is it driving a vehicle with these lights on and confirmed computer issue -by dealer. Should everyone with this issue just not drive vehicle for months on end" Apparantly that is what RAM is hoping for or crossing fingers and hoping crashes/liabilities are minimal" Please step in and drive RAM to issue a recall and push them to expediate a fix. Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #62

Sep 012023

1500

  • miles

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

The ABS and traction control lights come on and off intermittently. When on the cruise control also doesn't work. No traction control or Automatic braking control. Seems to be a common problem with RAM 4x4 trucks.

- Harrison, AR, USA

problem #61

Jun 032023

1500

  • miles
The ABS light, break light and traction. Control due to either a faulty abs modul or tip computer. Dealers unable to replace until MAY 2024. Concern is the abs breaking and traction control for safe driving. From what I have read this is a common problem that needs to been corrected.

- Corinth , TX, USA

problem #60

Aug 252023

1500

  • miles
The ABS module failed on my truck and was replaced using an OEM part. The newly installed module worked for a few months, but failed. Upon failure the speed control failed, the ABS light came on and the truck was stuck in the middle of the street where I tried to restart the vehicle. The truck wouldn't shift into drive or neutral to be moved. The truck was unable to be moved and it took multiple restarts to get it able to be driven again. I have tried to get a new part for repair from Dodge (Ram) and they informed me the part is not being sold due to an engineering review being completed by the company that was going through March of 2024. The truck is far too dangerous and unpredictable to drive in this state and there is no way to repair the issue. What recourse is there to have an operational vehicle for use? This alone tells me Dodge knows there is a problem and they are unwilling to do anything about it in the immediate future. This repair is $1,000 to $2,000 every time it is completed.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #59

Mar 232023

1500

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal to the floor and turned off the vehicle and the vehicle stopped. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the engine was still revving at full throttle. The contact turned off the vehicle for a second time. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #58

Jan 012022

1500

  • miles
At about 75,000 miles, the BRAKE, ABS and Traction Control lights on my dash came on intermittently. Shortly thereafter, they said on indefinitely. I have had diagnostics run and the shop confirmed that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and/or ABS Control Module has failed. I was told by the Dodge dealership that this is a known issue with Ram trucks of this generation and they have replaced countless HCUs/ABS Control Modules. These failures cause the ABS system to no longer function. It also disables cruise control. I understand NHTSA has already opened an investigation into a similar issue with heavy duty 2017-2018 Ram trucks, but this problem is common among 2016 models AND 1500 (not just the 2500 or 3500). I have encountered innumerable people online with this exact same problem. The dealership wants $2,000 for the repair.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #57

Jun 122021

1500 8-cyl

  • miles
RE: Colorado State Patrol Case #[XXX] Fremont County Case #[XXX] Agency ORI #[XXX] VIN #[XXX] NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #18V332000 (May 23, 2018) Also referred to as #U61 Dodge Ram Campaign #U53 (October 1, 2018) Dear NHTSA Officer: On June 12, 2021, at approximately 4PM, my sister [XXX]was KILLED while riding her motorcycle along with her pleasure motorcycle group. While preparing to make a legal left turn from CO State Highway 69 on to Route 1A (38.30908? N 105.62018? W) my sister [XXX] was struck from behind, by a 2016 Dodge Ram Truck traveling 61-64 MPH with activated Cruise Control. In Fremont County Court hearing Jan. 30, 2021, the driver [XXX] referred to the judge, that he was unable to deactivate his 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 cruise control, thereby causing the DEATH. In open court [XXX] referred to cruise control RECALL NHTSA Campaign #18V332000 and FAILED Dodge Ram Campaign #U53 that discounted proper repairs ORDERED in the original NHTSA SAFETY RECALL #18V332000. IT APPEARS, that the disregard for proper repairs to be carried out on the cruise control system amount to MURDER of my sister [XXX] at the hands of Chrysler, Ram Trucks, and FCA US LLC. INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE OPENED on HOW or WHY GEICO Insurance ([XXX]'s Auto Ins. policy #[XXX]) declared his 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 with approximately value of (at time of crash - June 12, 2021) $33,000, a total loss. THE EXACT DAY, a Saturday after the 4PM crash. Per Car Fax and notes from the court regarding release of the 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck. The truck was CRUSHED - EXACTLY 6 months +1 day after the crash. IMPORTANT TO NOTE, that Both Trooper [XXX] (C.S.P. Investigator with 26 years of service) was FIRED for "DISHONESTY" and his supervisor was also fired likely for same cause. Likely due, or at least, in part to my opening CBI investigation into this matter. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Kirkland, WA, USA

problem #56

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 #55

Sep 152020

1500

  • miles
2016 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7 Hemi....ABS, Traction Control, BRAKE lights are all on. Had the DTS codes scanned and told the ABS Module is Bad (Internal Failure) as well as the HCU unit. Happened with approx. 24,000 miles but out of 36 month warranty. Well documented issue with these vehicles yet FCA will not recall nor help with repair. To make matters worse, the ABS module (part #68295368AC) is not currently available at all and there is no ETA either. Says part is discontinued on many Mopar parts websites. I, like who knows how many hundreds of others, are driving around with no ABS, Traction Control and also cruise control is automatically disabled. Also, the other day my Speedometer stopped working and I also lost power steering. This is a MAJOR safety issue and should have at least been covered by the powertrain warranty so at least I would not be liable for the approx $1800+ repair cost. The fact that the ABS Module is not even available is very worrisome at the very least. I have no choice but to drive my truck in this manner hoping I don't get into an accident due to failing brakes!!! I hope someone in your agency takes the time to review and research this issue and make FCA/Chrysler liable for repair of this major safety issue.

- Avon Park, FL, USA

problem #54

Jul 082022

1500

  • miles
Cruise control stops working. It is not a fuse per dealer maintenance services. It is the steering column wiring harness for the cruise control and they reported that they see this issue a great deal in the RAM trucks.

- Marshall, MN, USA

problem #53

Mar 302021

1500

  • miles
The first sign of a problem was when my touch screen radio would randomly shut off and then turn back on again. As it would get hotter it would happen more often. Then the turn signals would have trouble flickering. The check engine light would show up and I've tried getting that figured out. When I was driving it would tell me "service transmission continue in D. Do not shift or turn engine off until you reach a desired location. You may not be able to shift again until serviced" with a blinking exclamation point. It would occasionally also say "service shifter" and sometimes when I would start it, it shuts off immediately.?The worse part of all is when I was driving it doesn't automatically shift gears so I have to pull over and shut the truck off to be able to shift at the speel limit speed. This was all happening repeatedly 6 months ago before I dropped it off at the 2nd dodge dealership. The first one gave up on finding the problem. 1 year later and it's only gotten worse, aside from all the money spent.

- Tremonton, UT, USA

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