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moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Among the 10 model years of RAM 2500 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
Owners of 2016 Ram 2500s are reporting a turbo actuator and turbocharger failure pattern that closely mirrors a known 2015 issue RAM covered with a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension—yet 2016 owners are excluded. The actuator fails suddenly or intermittently as early as 39,000–48,000 miles, causing complete power loss in traffic, limp mode, and check engine lights. Repair costs run $2,000–$5,400 depending on parts and labor. Diesel repair shops confirm the problem is identical to the 2015 defect, but RAM and MOPAR deny recalls or warranty coverage for 2016 models.
Electronic throttle control misfires plague these trucks, with stuck throttles and dangerous acceleration delays that recur even after multiple dealer repairs. Some owners experience unexplained engine stalls at low mileage (124 miles reported) or sudden power loss while highway merging—no codes, no lights.
Exhaust manifold bolts break, sending diesel fumes and carbon monoxide into cabins through heater vents. One case involved DPF regeneration producing blue flames from the exhaust. The radiator shroud deforms in hot weather and interferes with the fan, causing both to shred and scatter plastic debris.
Owners with recall notices wait months for parts that never arrive—dealers report receiving them once monthly or not at all. RAM cannot say when they'll be available, and owners are blocked from repairs.
Same RAM 2500 engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Turbo actuator and turbocharger fail suddenly or intermittently, causing loss of power and limp mode. Owners report this is identical to a known 2015 Cummins issue covered under Warranty Bulletin D-22-06 (15yr/150k mi warranty extension), but 2016 models are not included. Parts cost around $2,170 for the actuator alone, plus labor for turbo replacement. At least one owner faced a $5,400 repair bill.
When: 48,000 miles; 39,000 miles; 113,000 miles; 127,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Complete loss of engine power; Sudden power reduction in heavy traffic; Intermittent limp mode with loss of power; Hazardous conditions when towing trailers
Codes mentioned: Turbo actuator fault codes, P219A (Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance)
Repairs/costs cited: Diesel repair shops and dealers perform turbo actuator and turbocharger replacement; one owner paid $5,400; actuator part cost cited as $2,170
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty Bulletin D-22-06 issued March 16, 2022 for 2015 models only (15yr/150k mi coverage); no warranty extension offered for 2016 models; MOPAR told owners no recall exists for this issue
Radiator shroud deforms under vacuum created by engine fan during hot weather, causing shroud and fan to interfere and shred each other. Plastic debris scatters throughout engine compartment, including onto valve cover, battery, radiator, and exhaust manifold. Dealer reported multiple cases with catastrophic radiator failure.
When: During hot weather operation
Symptoms owners cite: Radiator shroud deformation; Fan and shroud damage and shredding; Plastic debris scattered in engine bay; Debris on valve cover, battery, radiator, exhaust manifold
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended replacement of fan, shroud, and radiator; owner reported it was not under warranty but dealer stated vehicle was drivable and safe
Electronic throttle control system malfunctions, causing stuck throttle, erratic idle, and delayed throttle response. One owner reported three trips to dealer for the same issue. Owners describe the problem as electronic, not mechanical (pedal works fine).
When: While driving and at idle
Symptoms owners cite: ETC warning light illumination; Stuck throttle; Erratic idle; Delayed or no throttle response when needed; Recurring failures requiring multiple dealer visits
Codes mentioned: ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) fault
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; specific repair not detailed
Engine stalls suddenly during driving at highway speeds without warning lights prior to failure. Restart is possible but failure recurs shortly after. One case involved early failure at 124 miles (integrated power module terminal shearing); another at 4,000 miles with all warning lights illuminating only after stall occurred.
When: 124 miles; 4,000 miles; while driving at 45-55 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall without prior warning; Loss of all engine power; Multiple stalls in succession; All warning lights illuminate only after stall occurs
Repairs/costs cited: One case: integrated power module terminal found shearing off; computer re-flashed by technician; vehicle repaired; another case: vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Bolts on the exhaust manifold break, causing exhaust to escape the manifold. This creates excessive heat in the engine bay and allows diesel fumes (including carbon monoxide) to enter the cabin through vents, causing headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust fumes entering cabin through heater vents; Extreme heat from exhaust pipe; Headaches from diesel exhaust exposure; Nausea and dizziness; Intermittent diesel smell when heater is used
Repairs/costs cited: One case: extreme heat from exhaust pipe noted; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; another case: diesel exhaust enters vehicle intermittently through heater vents
DPF regeneration process triggers warning indicator and produces extreme heat from exhaust pipe. At night, blue flames visible coming from exhaust during regeneration. Dealer was aware of the failure but did not diagnose or repair the vehicle.
When: 35,775 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Regeneration process warning indicator illumination; Extreme heat coming from exhaust pipe; Blue flames visible from exhaust at night during regeneration
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer was aware of the failure; owner noted it as a design oversight rather than a failure
Heater thread bolt fails and damages the engine. Occurs without warning lights. Independent mechanic diagnosed the failure; dealer refused warranty coverage.
When: 160,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal engine sounds while driving at 40 mph; No warning lights prior to failure; Engine damage caused by bolt failure
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by independent mechanic; dealer refused coverage; vehicle not repaired by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not provide assistance; dealer stated owner would be responsible for repair cost
Engine exhibits excessive torque management causing significant delay between depressing the accelerator pedal and power delivery to the wheels. Delay is particularly problematic when quick acceleration is needed for merging or crossing traffic. Described as a serious safety hazard in stop-and-go driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Serious delay between throttle input and engine response; Delayed acceleration when merging into traffic; Delayed acceleration when crossing lanes; Hazardous when quick acceleration is needed
Engine loses all power suddenly during highway driving in traffic without any warning codes or lights. Loud pop precedes power loss. Failure lasts 3 seconds before power returns. Occurs multiple times but produces no diagnostic codes, making dealer diagnosis impossible.
When: While driving on interstate in traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud engine pop; Complete loss of engine power for 3 seconds; Multiple recurrences; No warning codes or lights present; Hazardous in heavy traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated without codes, diagnosis is impossible
Multiple owners received recall notifications (NHTSA campaigns 17V562000, 17V821000, 19V818000, 20V036000) but dealers could not complete repairs because required parts were not available. Delays exceeded reasonable timeframes (5-6+ months from recall notice). Manufacturer unable to confirm when parts would become available. Multiple dealers across different regions reported the same parts unavailability issue.
When: 5-6+ months after recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notifications received but parts unavailable; Multiple dealer visits rejected due to parts shortage; Extended delays exceeding reasonable repair timeframes; Manufacturer unable to provide delivery timeline
Repairs/costs cited: Parts for campaigns 17V562000, 17V821000, 19V818000, 20V036000 were not available; dealers reported receiving parts only once per month or not at all
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 17V562000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 17V821000 (Powertrain), 19V818000 (Equipment, Engine and Engine Cooling), 20V036000 (Powertrain); parts distribution disconnected; manufacturer unable to confirm availability dates
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Engine running rough. I drive daily on the freeway and pull a trailer, it is not safe to drive on a busy freeway or any road ( I am a self-employed contractor who now has to rent a truck). Both I took to an independent service center and authorized Crysler Dealer. Check engine light came on November 30th. P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance PERMANENT. It was starting on and off. The…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 4,000 and 35,775 miles, with the median around 26,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 35,775. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.