2016 RAM 2500 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2016 RAM 2500 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 367
- 119 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- POWER TRAIN
- 62 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 12
- see below
- Reported harm
- 19 reported crashes · 16 injuries · 1 death · 5 fires
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
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 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. Data as of 2026. 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?
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.