4.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,158 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 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Ram 3500 Owner Comments

problem #19

Jul 052024

3500

  • 60,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a horse trailer with horses inside, there was a message displayed that the vehicle would enter LIMP Mode. The contact was able to drive a short distance to the destination. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it remained undiagnosed and unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #18

Jun 212024

3500

  • miles
DEF pump failed around 62500 miles. Ram sent emission recall notice 67a that states they will reimburse for costs incurred if issue was before recall. Submitted paperwork and they denied due to me replacing the part myself after buying parts from Dodge dealer. I paid $1687.44. Going to a dealer SHOULDN'T be a requirement

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #17

Aug 202023

3500

  • 116,021 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle jerked and slowed down unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel injectors were faulty due to wear and tear. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 116,021.

- Lumberton, MS, USA

problem #16

Apr 292023

3500

  • 149,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine started making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that a grid heater bolt had failed and fallen into the #5 cylinder, causing severe damage to the piston and cylinder head. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

- Central City, IA, USA

problem #15

Dec 282021

3500

  • miles
My 2016 dodge ram 3500 mega cab had a light come on the dash at about 89000 miles I drove it to the dealership, I told the dealership I thought it was something electrical. A couple of times my truck has went into limp mode, when this happens to you the truck will only take off in 4th gear and stays in 4th gear. If I pulled over when this would happen and turned the truck all the way off and then back on it take the light of the dash and shift properly. So the dealership calls me to let me know what they have found he says he has bad news and more bad news which was my transmission was going out and then they didn't have a transmission and had no idea when they would. They already welded up nut on the steering shaft instead of replacing it. I didnt buy a 3500 pickup because i wanted a light duty truck.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #14

Apr 022019

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 18E096000 (steering). The contact took the vehicle to humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge & Ram (1010 route 19 North, waterford, pa 16441, (888) 571-5737) where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was returned to the contact. A few months later, the vehicle needed the outer tie rod replaced and a front end alignment. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that, due to a welding that had been performed on the vehicle from the recall repair, the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the welding was an approved repair by NHTSA and he would need to contact NHTSA for more information. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- North East, PA, USA

problem #13

Mar 132019

3500

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact received notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V562000 (engine and engine cooling), 17V821000 (power train), 18V486000 (structure, latches, locks, linkages) and 19V021000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not available. The manufacturer was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Santaynuz, CA, USA

problem #12

Apr 022018

3500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The dealer (don franklin somerset Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Nissan, 1147 S highway 27, somerset, ky 42501, (606) 678-8178) scheduled the recall repair appointment for NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V562000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17V821000 (power train). When the contact arrived for the appointment, the dealer indicated that the parts were unavailable for the recall repairs. The contact was uncertain as to when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Nancy, KY, USA

problem #11

Jan 012018

3500

  • 42,000 miles
My truck, with the aisin transmission and single rear wheel, has a horrible throttle delay. Pulling out into an intersection or in front of oncoming traffic is terrifying, because if the delay kicks in, I can put the pedal down and the truck will literally not react for 3-5 seconds. This is also true when trying to accelerate to pass on the highway, avoid another vehicle, etc. It's like the throttle pedal doesn't know you're pushing it for quite a few seconds, and then and only then it will react. This is extremely dangerous, and I've had quite a few situations where I've been pulling out across traffic from a stop sign, thinking I had plenty of time in front of oncoming traffic, only for my truck to be dead in the water. No throttle response, nothing. I've almost been hit many times because of this. Ram will not help, and states that my problem is not there. I assure you it is, and based on the number of forum posts I see of people with the same issue, it's definitely out there. I wish I could get out of this truck but can't afford to take such a huge loss on it. It's extremely unsafe and stressful to drive.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #10

Feb 012018

3500

  • miles
Took vehicle in to john hiester in lillington nc. They inform \S of two life th threatening recalls that has no fix. We are fearful of driving due to recalls. Howver we love our Dodge. Please help. We have byt tru K in shop twice for engine and transmission not going in gear and turbo problems. Now recalls constant of water pump and transmission which we had to pay for before

- Angier, NC, USA

problem #9

Feb 132018

3500

  • 24,000 miles

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

Manufacturer recall numbert51 NHTSA recall number17V-562 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available summarythe water pump may experience a failure which may result in an engine compartment fire. Safety riska water pump failure resulting in an engine compartment fire can cause the vehicle to crash without prior warning increasing the risk of injury to motor vehicle occupants or persons outside the vehicle. Remedythe water pump must be inspected and replaced if required. Dec 20,2017 manufacturer recall numbert79 NHTSA recall number17V-821 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available summarythe brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) locking pin may become stuck in the open position. A BTSI locking pin stuck in the open position may allow the transmission to be shifted out of park and to or from any gear position without depression of the brake pedal and/or without the key in the ignition, if a key is applicable. Safety riskthe transmission may be shifted of the park position without a key in the ignition or a brake pedal application. This increases the potential for an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in a vehicle crash or injury without prior warning. Dealership still do not have the parts to make this repair. Being a failure of a water pump in an engine compartment can cause fire and crash, seems they would be moving at a faster pace on this repair. Wife pulls a 80,000 horse trailer with three horses valued at 350,000 dollars. Either Chrysler gets these parts to the dealership for repair or they need to buy back this vehicle and get us into a truck that has no recalls that can cause death.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #8

Jan 012017

3500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
2016 Dodge Ram 3500. Consumer writes in regards to water pump failure.

- Glasgow, KY, USA

problem #7

Nov 152017

3500

  • 13,000 miles
NHTSA recall number: 17V-562. The description provided in the notice reads: "a water pump failure resulting in an engine compartment fire can cause the vehicle to crash without prior warning increasing the risk of injury to motor vehicle occupants or persons outside the vehicle." I contacted the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, tate branch Dodge in carlsbad, nm on 11/21/2017. They stated that nothing can be done, even after I asked if I just have to hope that the vehicle doesn't catch on fire, to which they said, "yes". also, the vehicle has an occasional "lull" with the accelerator which leads to extreme loss of power when accelerating. This has almost caused several accidents with myself and my wife. I have an appointment on Dec. 14th to have the problem looked at for the second time.

- Artesia, NM, USA

problem #6

Jan 012016

3500

  • 852 miles
From day 1 the truck has had very poor throttle response. The big problem is on take off. The truck has a dead pedal with a delay of 3 to 5 seconds before the truck will accelerate. This can make for some dangerous situations. In looking for a solution to this problem I have found there is a huge number of owners complaining of the same thing. It seems Chrysler response has been to ignore the complaints and not look into a solution

- Galveston, IN, USA

problem #5

Feb 062017

3500

  • 8,000 miles
Delayed throttle response. Also fumes in cab.

- Braintree, MA, USA

problem #4

Feb 132017

3500

  • 2,124 miles
Daily occurrence. While dead stopped at light or idling along after lifting foot off of brake pedal, then slowly depressing accelerator pedal, there is a 2-4 second delay before truck starts to accelerate. Feels like a dead pedal. This has become worse as the truck accrues miles. When needing to accelerate quickly, the pedal response is slow to respond and has caused many anxious moments with vehicles bearing down on my rear end. I press the pedal and wait for engine to respond. The truck is a diesel and it does not feel like turbo lag. I had a 2007 diesel and this was not a problem at all. I feel that eventually this will cause or lead me to have an accident of some type. Every time I drive the truck I have to make allowances for the lack of pedal response, mostly in city, slow and go driving. On the highway at higher speeds this problem does not seem to be such an issue. I believe that Ram needs to address this with some type of reprogramming for the engine, drive-train or both. This type of pedal non-response is very dangerous and quite disturbing. The dealers have no answer to this problem.

- Shingle Springs, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 152016

3500

  • miles
There is an extreme delay when pressing the accelerator and actual acceleration of the vehicle. There seems to be no correlation between how far the accelerator is pressed and vehicle acceleration. When merging into traffic and especially when pulling out into traffic or passing a vehicle. This delay is a severe safety problem. There is a 2-3 second delay between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle actually moving.

- Kalispell, MT, USA

problem #2

Nov 062016

3500

  • 6,014 miles
Significant lag in engine response when accelerating from dead stop. Delay is approx 3-4 seconds from time accelerator pedal is depressed until truck responds.

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #1

Oct 032016

3500

  • 0 miles
Dead pedal. From a dead stop if you stab the accelerator pedal as in a emergency situation there is a 2-3 second delay before power is applied to the drivetrain. I feel this is a very dangerous situation and Ram should have to reprogram these trucks to apply power when called for by the accelerator pedal. This has occured since new

- Blissfield, MI, USA

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