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The 2016 RAM 1500 has 1,512 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 17 active recall campaigns.
The 2016 RAM 1500 has 1,512 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 303 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,671 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 1500 | 1,259 | 12 |
| 2014 1500 | 1,742 | 17 |
| 2015 1500 | 1,428 | 18 |
| 2016 1500 (this page) | 1,512 | 17 |
| 2017 1500 | 861 | 13 |
| 2018 1500 | 644 | 15 |
| 2019 1500 | 1,455 | 29 |
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Ram 1500 Regular PU/RC 2WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 88,924 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 17 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 3.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 19v757000 (engine) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification on november 29, 2019. The contact spoke with five star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram…
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…
Traveling at hwy speeds the vehicle lurched as if the brakes were suddenly slammed on then removed. Speed was reduced to 60 mph, no sounds or vibrations noticed so began accelerating back to hwy speeds. RPM kept building but speed was not increasing as normal. Within a few…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25003 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ23003 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA23001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 3.2 out of 10 based on 1,512 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 RAM 1500 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 RAM 1500 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 15 fire-related complaints on the engine; Electrical system: 135 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 18,250–55,000 mi; Reliability score 3.2/10 — below the segment average; 17 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 303 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,671 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 3.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,512 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 81,671 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 303 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,671 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 40,735 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,512 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.