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 seconds loud banging under the vehicle was heard and half the drive shaft came out the back flipping end over end down the…
2016 RAM 1500 powertrain problems
severe 188 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
188
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
34crashes
4fires
15injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 188 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 RAM 1500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 188 powertrain 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.
Among the 11 model years of RAM 1500 in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
On dec 22 I pulled up to my fianc's school put the 2016 Ram 1500 in park my foot was still on the break. I took my seatbelt off and so did my fianc. Took my foot of the break and the truck went forward. Looked down verified the shifter was in park fiance verified also and the d light was blinking on my dial shifter but was turned to park. Put the emergency break on turned the key of turned the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. When the contact placed the vehicle in park, it reversed independently and struck a pole without warning. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was driven home. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.
After putting truck into reverse then putting in back into forward gear the truck will not recognize the fact it is suppose to go forward. Not in 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. This has happened to us twice. I have found out you have to actually turn the truck off and then restart. First time I had to do this a couple of times this last time it then went into forward drive with the 4 wheel drive…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 RAM 1500?
It's a meaningful issue. 188 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 131 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 11,000 and 54,300 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 54,300. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.