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The 2016 RAM 2500 has 255 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 RAM 2500 has 255 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 56 complaints, typically surfacing around 41,772 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 2500 | 178 | 16 |
| 2014 2500 | 340 | 16 |
| 2015 2500 | 212 | 15 |
| 2016 2500 (this page) | 255 | 14 |
| 2017 2500 | 676 | 12 |
| 2018 2500 | 2,515 | 10 |
| 2019 2500 | 189 | 12 |
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain 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 2500 Crew PU/CC 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: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 41,772 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 14 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.6/10 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.
ABS FAILURE, WHICH TURNS OFF TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. This is a known issue for the HCU to fail. How is this not a recall on 2016 but it is on 17 and 18. Same parts.... have replace front hubs with new ABS sensors and rear ABS sensors, still on. It has to be the HCU…
Vibration between 65 and 84 MPH. Started having problem at 14000 miles. Allegedly, dealer found axles to be warped (sure they were) and replaced (unlikely)...but thinking it was lip service to get me out the door and leave them alone (no evidence provided after service of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. While traveling various speeds, the 4 wheel drive lever would shift independently and the "4 wheel drive shift in progress" warning message would illuminate. The contact took the vehicle to several Dodge dealers, including athens Dodge…
I would like to add my vehicle to the list of ones with the steering linkage issue. I have a 2016 Ram 2500 diesel and after I purchased the truck used with 34000 miles the steering felt loose so I crawled under it and quickly found the. Coupling for straightening the steering…
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.
A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of 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 →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.6 out of 10 based on 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 RAM 2500 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 2500 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 56 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 12,000–50,000 mi; Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 18,000–34,000 mi; Reliability score 4.6/10 — below the segment average; 14 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 powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 56 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 41,772 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 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 4.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 255 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 41,772 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 powertrain, with 56 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 41,772 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,250 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 255 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.