NHTSA recall number: 17v-562. The description provided in the notice reads: "a water pump failure resulting in an engine compartment fire can cause the vehicle to crash without prior warning increasing the risk of injury to motor vehicle occupants or persons outside the vehicle." I contacted the dealer where I purchased the vehicle, tate branch Dodge in carlsbad, nm on 11/21/2017. They…
2016 RAM 3500 engine problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 12 engine complaints filed for the 2016 RAM 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2016 Ram 3500 engine carries several documented problems: water pump failures can cause fires (recall issued but parts have been hard to find), throttle lag creates dangerous acceleration delays, and exhaust fumes leak into the cabin. Expect potential issues with the turbo actuator, DEF pump, grid heater bolt, and fuel injectors at various mileages.
Owners of 2016 Ram 3500s describe multiple engine system failures. The most serious is water pump failure—NHTSA issued Recall 17V-562 for engines that can overheat and catch fire without warning. One owner reported a dealer said nothing could be done and the owner would have to hope the truck doesn't burn. Another owner had the recall part unavailable for an extended period.
Throttle response is consistently poor. Multiple owners report a dead pedal with a 3 to 5 second delay between pressing the accelerator and the engine responding, especially from a stop. Owners say this creates dangerous situations and cite a pattern of similar complaints that Chrysler has ignored.
Exhaust fumes are leaking into the cabin as early as 3,000 miles, and dealers have brushed it off as normal. Owners also report grid heater bolts falling into cylinders and destroying the engine (needing replacement at 149,000 miles), turbo actuators failing and persisting after repair, DEF pump failures requiring $1,687 in out-of-pocket costs, and a vehicle entering LIMP Mode while towing that dealers couldn't diagnose.
Same RAM 3500 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Water pump failure
Water pump failure resulting in engine compartment fire, covered under NHTSA Recall 17V-562 / Campaign 17V562000. One owner reported the dealer stated nothing could be done and the owner would have to 'hope the vehicle doesn't catch on fire.' Another owner received recall notification but the replacement part was unavailable from the dealer, causing extended delay in repair completion.
When: Not specified in narratives; recall issued in 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Engine compartment fire; Part unavailable at dealer for extended period
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair part unavailability; dealer unable to provide repair in reasonable timeframe
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 17V-562 / Campaign 17V562000 (Engine and Engine Cooling)
Throttle lag and poor acceleration response
Multiple owners report significant delay in engine response when accelerating from a stopped position. Delay ranges from 3 to 5 seconds between depressing the accelerator pedal and the truck responding. Owners describe a 'dead pedal' condition that creates dangerous situations, particularly during takeoff. One owner noted a large number of complaints from other owners and indicated Chrysler has not investigated a solution.
When: From day 1 of ownership for some; affects multiple model year vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Dead pedal sensation; 3 to 5 second delay before acceleration; Poor throttle response on takeoff; Dangerous acceleration lag
Exhaust fumes in cabin
Owners report excessive exhaust fumes entering the cabin from the engine and through the firewall while driving at various speeds. One instance occurred at 3,000 miles; another at 4,128 miles. A dealer service adviser indicated this was 'acceptable' and suggested opening the windows. The manufacturer received two case number notifications but did not resolve the issue.
When: Early in ownership: 3,000 miles and 4,128 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive exhaust fumes in cabin; Abnormal exhaust odor when heater running; Occurs at various driving speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; dealer suggested opening windows
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified via case numbers 31719201 and 31501985; issue unresolved
Grid heater bolt failure
A grid heater bolt failed and fell into the #5 cylinder, causing severe damage to the piston and cylinder head. The owner heard abnormal clicking and the check engine light illuminated. Engine replacement was required.
When: Approximately 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking sound from engine; Check engine warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failure
Fuel injector wear
At 116,021 miles, the vehicle jerked and slowed down unintendedly while driving at 45 MPH. Diagnosis identified faulty fuel injectors due to wear and tear. Repair was completed but the failure persisted.
When: Approximately 116,021 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerked and slowed unintendedly; No warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injectors repaired; failure persisted after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed vehicle was not under warranty
Turbo actuator malfunction
Vehicle became difficult to drive with check engine and MIL warning lights illuminated. Dealer diagnosis indicated the turbo actuator needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. Manufacturer provided no additional assistance.
When: Approximately 55,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle difficult to drive; Check engine warning light; MIL warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo actuator replaced; failure persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but no additional assistance provided
LIMP Mode entry while towing
While driving and towing a horse trailer with horses, the vehicle displayed a message indicating it would enter LIMP Mode. The owner was able to drive a short distance to the destination. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but remained undiagnosed and unrepaired.
When: Approximately 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: LIMP Mode message displayed; Occurred while towing horse trailer
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle remained undiagnosed and unrepaired at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure
DEF pump failure
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) pump failed at approximately 62,500 miles. The manufacturer issued an emission recall (67a) offering reimbursement for costs incurred prior to the recall notice. However, the owner's reimbursement claim was denied because the owner replaced the part themselves after purchasing from a Dodge dealer. The owner paid $1,687.44 and objected to the requirement that repair must be performed at a dealer to qualify for reimbursement.
When: Approximately 62,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: DEF pump failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced DEF pump with Dodge dealer-supplied part; cost $1,687.44; reimbursement claim denied
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Emission Recall 67a issued; reimbursement denied because owner replaced part themselves instead of using dealer
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Significant lag in engine response when accelerating from dead stop. Delay is approx 3-4 seconds from time accelerator pedal is depressed until truck responds.
Had engine trouble with your 2016 RAM 3500?
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 engine problem on the 2016 RAM 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 6,014 and 116,021 miles, with the median around 55,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,014; a quarter make it past 116,021. 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 $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.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/3500.
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.