Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →2016 RAM 1500 body problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1fire
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →Squeak Or Squawk Noise Coming From Either Side Door Of The Vehicle, It Could Be Just One Door Or More. The Noise Can Be Present In Either The Upper Or The Lower Hinge.
View on NHTSA →Outside Power Fold Rearview Mirror Noise Or Loose At Pivot. Mirror Contacts Door Window Glass In The Folded Position.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 RAM 1500 exhibits multiple structural failures involving latches, seals, and hinges. Most common is tailgate opening while driving at various speeds without operator input, occurring repeatedly even after recall 18V486000 was completed. Owners report lost cargo spilling onto roadways; one owner ended up hospitalized with a concussion, fractured pelvis, and broken ribs when a tailgate assembly struck them.
Window mounting clips fail in freezing conditions, causing windows to disconnect from their tracks and drop completely while driving or parked. Dealers acknowledge this as a design defect and advise against operating windows below 32°F—an unacceptable workaround for a safety feature.
Rear window seals fail, allowing water intrusion that pools in tracks and breeds mold. Fuel tank straps corrode and break, dropping the tank and creating fire hazards. Interior door latches fail at low mileage, blocking emergency egress.
One owner experienced an EGR cooler fire at 18,000 miles after dealership service; the manufacturer denied the defect despite a subsequent recall. Windshield seam rust and A-pillar deterioration are also documented. Recall parts availability has been inconsistent, delaying repairs on vehicles already experiencing failures.
Same RAM 1500 body reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Tailgate unintended opening
Tailgate latch fails to hold secure, allowing the tailgate to open while driving or at rest without operator input. Occurs across a wide range of mileages and vehicle states. Multiple narratives indicate this is a recurring issue even after NHTSA recall 18V486000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) was performed.
When: 10,000 to 78,000 miles; incidents occurring while driving at various speeds and while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate opens independently while driving; Tailgate opens while vehicle is stationary; Contents spill from truck bed onto roadway; Tailgate does not secure or latch properly; Rattling noise from tailgate latch area; Tailgate opens at speeds as low as 15 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 18V486000 performed on some vehicles without permanent resolution. One owner reported replacement of tailgate latch; dealer unable to replicate failure in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 18V486000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages); some vehicles reported as completed but failures still occurring post-recall.
Driver and passenger window clips breaking in cold weather
Window regulators fail when temperatures drop below freezing, causing windows to become disconnected from their mounting clips or come completely out of track while driving or parked. Plastic clips holding the window to the regulator mechanism fracture in cold conditions, allowing windows to drop into the door.
When: Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; one owner had failure twice in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Window falls into door while driving; Window disconnects from track when attempting to operate in cold; Window drops partway down on its own when parked; Window becomes inoperable until brought back up; Plastic mounting clips break or fail
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits required; parts replaced; dealer suggestion to not operate window in freezing temperatures. One owner reported three separate repair visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA claims this is a safety feature and refuses to cover repeated repairs under warranty; no recall issued.
EGR cooler fatigue and fire
EGR cooler cracks or fatigues under load, causing fuel or coolant system leakage that ignites in the engine bay. Vehicle exhibited loss of acceleration, check engine light, service throttle control light, low oil pressure warning, and finally smoke and fire in the intake/EGR area. Recall issued after vehicle fire.
When: Approximately 18,000 miles (vehicle 4.5 years old at time of incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration capability; Check engine light illuminated; Service throttle control light illuminated; Low oil pressure warning light; Smoke from engine bay; Fire in intake and EGR area; Vehicle total loss
Codes mentioned: Check engine
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss due to fire. Bosch Automotive Engineering inspection concluded no manufacturing defect despite fire.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for EGR cooler that 'may fatigue and cause vehicle fire'; Chrysler refused warranty claim and stated no manufacturing defect found; buyback claim initiated with no resolution reported.
Interior door latch failure
Driver's side interior door latch fails at low mileage, preventing emergency egress from the vehicle. Safety-critical function lost in a vehicle under 50,000 miles.
When: Less than 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Interior door latch fails to open; Inability to exit vehicle in emergency
Repairs/costs cited: $521 repair cost; classified as non-warranty item by manufacturer despite safety-critical nature.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ram classified as non-warranty item; refused to provide failure rate data or escalate to senior management.
Rear window water leak
Rear sliding window and rear passenger window seals fail, allowing water to enter the vehicle interior. Water accumulates in the window track and overwhelms drain system, leading to interior water damage, mold growth, and rust.
When: Not specified; noted as common problem across multiple model years
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking into rear driver's side interior; Water leaking from top of passenger rear window during rain; Water running into vehicle while driving; Water pooling in window tracks; Mold growth; Interior rust formation
Repairs/costs cited: Warranty covered repair in one case; common problem across 2015 and 2016 model year Rams.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty repair available per owner report.
Front fuel tank strap failure
Front fuel tank support strap breaks due to rust and corrosion, allowing the fuel tank to drop. Dropped tank gouges the driveway shaft and allows metal bracket to contact ground, creating fire hazard if driven. Issue reported as recurring problem from 2009–2012 recall and reoccurring in 2016 model.
When: Not specified; described as recurring defect across multiple model years
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel tank strap breaks; Fuel tank drops; Driveway shaft gouged; Metal bracket contacts ground; Fire hazard from metal-to-ground sparking
Repairs/costs cited: Extended warranty available per owner; not covered under standard warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: FCA has extended warranty program for this issue; owner states problem should be recalled.
Paint chipping and rust at windshield seam
Paint chips and rust appears immediately above windshield at the seam, despite original windshield never being replaced. Rust penetrates the seam, threatening windshield stability.
When: Time not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Small areas of chipped paint above windshield; Rust formation at windshield seam; Potential for windshield failure if rust worsens
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: RAM dealer uninterested in addressing issue; corporate headquarters contacted without resolution reported.
A-pillar rust and trim separation
Right-side A-pillar (roof support post at windshield edge) develops rust and trim separates, creating a safety hazard for rollover events and possible parts ejection onto roadway.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: A-pillar rust formation; Trim falling off; Risk of parts striking other vehicles
Door hinge insufficient hold strength
Rear driver's side door hinge does not hold door open against wind pressure or user force, causing door to swing shut unexpectedly and strike occupant. Hinge strength insufficient to support door remaining open while exiting.
When: Very low mileage (3,346 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Door swings shut unexpectedly; Door strikes occupant, causing injury; Hinge insufficient to support open door position
Repairs/costs cited: Required medical attention for hip injury.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of issue.
Tailgate recall parts shortage and delayed service
Recall 18V486000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) parts unavailable at dealership, delaying recall completion. Dealer unable to perform scheduled repair due to parts distribution failure.
When: During recall implementation period
Symptoms owners cite: Recall appointment scheduled but parts not available; No follow-up communication from dealer; No manufacturer response to online inquiry
Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available; recall not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 18V486000; parts distribution issues reported.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2016 RAM 1500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 31,785 and 61,040 miles, with the median around 43,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,785; a quarter make it past 61,040. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/RAM/1500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.