2016 RAM 2500 reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2016 RAM 2500 from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 367
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- POWER TRAIN
- 62 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 12
- see below
- Reported harm
- 19 reported crashes · 16 injuries · 1 death · 5 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#1,422
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs RAM median
+57
median 310 across 37 RAM records
Vs 2014-2018
+70
median 298 complaints in 596 records
Top component share
17%
Power Train: 62 complaints
What owners report fails — 2016 RAM 2500
- POWER TRAIN 62
- ENGINE 53
- STEERING 41
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35
- SERVICE BRAKES 34
12 recalls on record for the 2016 RAM 2500
- NHTSA 25V010000 · 2025 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- 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 19V021000 · 2019 · STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
- NHTSA 19V347000 · 2019 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increa
- NHTSA 17V824000 · 2018 · EQUIPMENT If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2016 RAM 2500
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
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 2500 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. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 RAM 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 367 consumer complaints on record for the 2016 RAM 2500 and 12 recalls. The most-reported problem area is power train (62 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2016 RAM 2500 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 RAM 2500?
Owners most often report problems with: power train (62), engine (53), steering (41), electrical system (35). 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 2500?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2016 RAM 2500. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.