2016 RAM 1500 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2016 RAM 1500 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,041
- 1,174 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 300 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 16
- see below
- Reported harm
- 123 reported crashes · 100 injuries · 7 deaths · 59 fires
What owners report fails — 2016 RAM 1500
- STEERING 300
- ENGINE 291
- SERVICE BRAKES 219
- POWER TRAIN 198
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 186
16 recalls on record for the 2016 RAM 1500
- NHTSA 25V010000 · 2025 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- NHTSA 22V406000 · 2024 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 23V411000 · 2023 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 21V632000 · 2022 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other c
- NHTSA 20V475000 · 2021 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2016 RAM 1500
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2016 RAM 1500 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 RAM 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 2,041 consumer complaints on record for the 2016 RAM 1500 and 16 recalls. The most-reported problem area is steering (300 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2016 RAM 1500 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 RAM 1500?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (300), engine (291), service brakes (219), power train (198). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2016 RAM 1500?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.