10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
34 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,943 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Ram 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ram 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Ram 1500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #176

Jan 142023

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truck being over 5 years old, the power train warranty no longer covers this. Ram is well aware of this issue but still refuses to initiate a recall. This issue presents a safety concern and has a potential to endanger myself and any other passengers who get in the vehicle due to raw engine exhaust fumes being released within the engine bay while the vehicle is running which could enter the cabin of the vehicle while in operation causing potential injury.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #175

Jun 302022

1500

  • miles
there was a recall issued june 2022 and there are still no parts avaiable to repair it. how long in the NHTSA's opinion is a timely manner for repair of a condition that states "may cause a vehicle to crash"? I have a truck that's been sitting, dangerous to drive for 8 months. i called but whoever i spoke with couldn't give me a timeline. if someone who knows could let me kno, i'd appreciate

- Mullica Hill, NJ, USA

problem #174

Jan 072022

1500

  • miles
My 2016 Ram 1500 Sport developed an exhaust leak originating from the exhaust manifold like many other Rams. I noticed it because I could hear a ticking noise upon starting the vehicle, specifically coming from the passenger side front wheel-well. The vehicle was brought to a local Ram dealer and was diagnosed as having multiple sheared studs on the passenger side exhaust manifold. Due to the truck being over 5 years old, the power train warranty no longer covers this. Ram is well aware of this issue but still refuses to initiate a recall. This issue presents a safety concern and has a potential to endanger myself and any other passengers who get in the vehicle due to raw engine exhaust fumes being released within the engine bay while the vehicle is running which could enter the cabin of the vehicle while in operation causing potential injury.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #173

Aug 012019

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've been trying for over three years to obtain a repair for severe lag in acceleration in my 2016 Dodge Ram Eco Diesel. It's a critical safety hazard. A recall was issued June 2022, but Dodge continues to say a remedy is not available. Dodge has known about this issue for several years, and still does not have a fix? As I said in my first complaint submitted Jan 2020 (11300317), how many lives will continue to be put at risk because of this issue? Please help.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #172

Dec 232022

1500

  • miles
Traveling at hwy speeds the vehicle lurched as if the brakes were suddenly slammed on then removed. Speed was reduced to 60 mph, no sounds or vibrations noticed so began accelerating back to hwy speeds. RPM kept building but speed was not increasing as normal. Within a few seconds loud banging under the vehicle was heard and half the drive shaft came out the back flipping end over end down the hwy. The shaft struck the grill of a jeep following me but no damage was seen upon inspection. The truck came to a relatively calm stop on the side of the road. Both halves of the drive shaft were recovered, one from the middle of the road, the other about 20 yards into the ditch. Rear diff was spilling fluid. All casings and covers seemed to be intact. Towed to Dealer, inspected and they said best they figure is the axle seized up, destroyed the diff, and shaft. They do not believe the transmission or transfer case were affected but can't be sure until new rear assembly and shaft installed. No one was injured in this event, although if the speed and height of the axle shaft flipping end over end down the hwy into the jeep was different serious injury could have occurred. Additionally, if a component of the rear assembly came off the truck could have come to a violent stop.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #171

Dec 142022

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
Driving 40 mph and suddenly motor died warnings for throttle and other flashing but coming around a curve was difficult to steer and stopped on curve and had to be pushed out of the way tried to start to no avail and had it towed to a local dealership where they determined it was a common problem with the tone wheel/ reluctor plate that apparently delaminates and loses part of a magnet on the outside which apparently they is a warranty expressly for this problem for 2014-2018 ram 1500 3.0 eco diesels which I-??m being told by the dealership that chrysler says my vehicle is not covered ? Why I don-??t understand.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #170

Apr 292022

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On April 29, 2022 while driving 75mph pulling a trailer my truck (Ram 1500 3.0L Ecodiesel) lost full power and electrical. When taken to the dealership for repair, they found that the crank shaft position sensor tone ring attached to the flywheel had become delaminated and caused the entire truck to shut down. When I inquired about a separate recall NHTSA Recall No. : 20V-475, but was told that didn't include my truck. I believe that FCA did not include all the vehicles possible in the previous recall and are putting people at risk as a result.

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #169

Nov 262022

1500

  • miles
The service electronic throttle control keeps coming on despite efforts to correct. The sensor was cleaned but the throttle control warning light continues to come on. The vehicle emissions are too high and impacting the power train. The vehicle loses power significantly and will not accelerate and the electronic throttle control warning light will come on. This issue is dangerous to the wellbeing of drivers as the loss of acceleration could increase risk of collision. Based on reading forums about the 2015-2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is notorious for this occurring. This is endangering the lives of all owners as there is no indication that this is going to occur, and no recall has been issued.

- Olive Hill, KY, USA

problem #168

Aug 102022

1500

  • miles
There is an open recall for certain vin#'s 20v-475 that happened to my vehicle and according to message boards a lot of other vehicles that have the failure of the tone wheel to the exact way the recall is listed but for some reason the vin does't fall under the recall. My vehicle had a complete shut down without warning or noises while driving at highway speeds on a windy narrow parkway with minimal shoulder. If I wasn't driving in the right lane at the time my situation could've been even more dangerous than it already was. I don't understand how a part that that is used in all ecodiesel engines from 2014-2018 and has a known failure is supposedly only affecting a small percentage of engines when they all have the same part. I have searched message board after message board and have found a lot of listings of this part failure all on vin's that for some reason aren't on the recall. As a SAFETY precaution letters should've went out to all ecodiesel vehicles within those years to at least alert drivers theres a potential for this failure. If it wasn't for the fuel pump recall that they do not have a fix for, I wouldn't have been as aware of m vehicle possibly shutting down without warning. Again I think as a SAFETY precaution letters should be sent to all ecodiesel owners alerting them of this possible engine failure that could endanger their lives and open an investigation to see why a part used in all of the vehicles only affects certain ones when it is obviously failing in all ecodiesel engines.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #167

Aug 092022

1500 6-cyl Diesel

  • miles
While traveling at highway speeds on a narrow parkway with minimal shoulders, the vehicle without warning or noise shut down, almost causing a major accident and I wouldn't have been able to get to the shoulder if I wasn't in the right lane. The shoulder barely had room for my truck putting myself and other vehicles at risk. There was ABSOLUTELY no warning that my car was going to completely shut down, no lights illuminated on my dash until i was on the grass and the engine was dead. The dealership confirms the exact issue was a failure of the Magnetic tone wheel that has a NHTSA Recall# 20V-475, that is an identical symptom and diagnosis to my exact issue. The dealership Meadowlands of Carmel (845)225-8468 [XXX] in the service department quoted me $1,600 plus tax to replace the magnetic tone wheel. I am also a government employee and I am unable to get to work. My engine type and year (2016) is identical to this recall stated above (20V-475), but for some reason that no one at RAM Customer Service or the RAM Recall Department can identify why my VIN number is excluded from a recall that my VIN is clearly a part of. I had ZERO symptoms, warnings before I could have been potentially killed. My kids were thankfully not in the car with me. I feel this is well within the spectrum of my VIN number qualifying to participate in this recall coverage, as well as other RAMS who may not even be aware of this without doing their own research of the circumstances and symptoms. I feel incredibly lucky to be alive and I follow my maintenance as recommended to a tee. Please feel free to go to Meadowlands in Carmel, NY: 1952 US-6 Carmel, NY 10512. Please see recall I am referring to: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V475-5815.PDF Time is of the essence for me and if i can be of any help please do not hesitate to call me at [XXX]. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #166

Mar 302021

1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The first sign of a problem was when my touch screen radio would randomly shut off and then turn back on again. As it would get hotter it would happen more often. Then the turn signals would have trouble flickering. The check engine light would show up and I've tried getting that figured out. When I was driving it would tell me "service transmission continue in D. Do not shift or turn engine off until you reach a desired location. You may not be able to shift again until serviced" with a blinking exclamation point. It would occasionally also say "service shifter" and sometimes when I would start it, it shuts off immediately.?The worse part of all is when I was driving it doesn't automatically shift gears so I have to pull over and shut the truck off to be able to shift at the speel limit speed. This was all happening repeatedly 6 months ago before I dropped it off at the 2nd dodge dealership. The first one gave up on finding the problem. 1 year later and it's only gotten worse, aside from all the money spent.

- Tremonton, UT, USA

problem #165

Feb 012022

1500

  • miles
Broken exhaust manifold bolts which cause an exhaust leak between the engine block and the exhaust manifold.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #164

Apr 192022

1500

  • miles
Front differential housing, passenger side half shaft fractured

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #163

Feb 042022

1500

  • miles
I took the vehicle to the local dealer and they diagnosed a Delaminated Tone Wheel, the same exact issue as described in Safety Recall W68 / NHTSA 20V-475. The claim that my vehicle is not included in the recall. There seems to be no question that the issue of Tone Wheel Delamination is broader in scope that described in W68 and I am petitioning an expansion of that recall to include all vehicles that potentially have this issue.

- Owens Cross Roads, AL, USA

problem #162

Feb 052022

1500

  • miles
When traveling at speed, the vehicle shudders or bucks as if the engine cuts out briefly, then resumes normally for a few seconds, then does it again. It creates a hazard on the highway as I attempt to move to the side of the road or travel slowly to avoid damaging the vehicle further. I took the vehicle to the local dealer and they diagnosed a Delaminated Tone Wheel, the same exact issue as described in Safety Recall W68 / NHTSA 20V-475. The claim that my vehicle is not included in the recall, because it was manufactured 6/07/2016, which is just outside the date window of included vehicles. There seems to be no question that the issue of Tone Wheel Delamination is broader in scope that described in W68 and I am petitioning an expansion of that recall to include all vehicles that potentially have this issue. Both the dealer and FCA refuse to cover the cost of the repairs at this time.

- Hempstead, TX, USA

problem #161

Jan 072022

1500

  • miles
Was pulling in to a parking lot when the vehicle made a warning sound and then displayed "Check Engine" and "Service Shifter" messages on dash. The truck then would not shift in to any other gear but drive. it displayed that it was in park but stayed in gear and almost caused me to drive in to a pedestrian. The shift lights on the dash for the gears (P, N, R, D) all flashed randomly as if there was an electrical issue. Eventually I was able to set the brake, turn off the truck, restart it, and it finally changed gears. I took the vehicle to the dealer the next business day and they told me looking at the codes, that the shift module needs to be replaced. From what I have read online in forums this is an EXTREMELY common safety issue affecting the shifting/drivability of the vehicle. Per dealer, this is not related to the recall affecting the shifter on the vehicle. I contacted Ram care and they advised there was nothing they could do for me either. Total repair is going to be over $1,000 and I have no idea if this is even the issue or when it will happen again.

- Falmouth, MA, USA

problem #160

Nov 172021

1500

  • miles
I was driving 50 mph down the road, when I started to accelerate (pass) around another vehicle when it just died. Got the check engine light along with oil pressure low warning. Coasted to a stop a ways down the road trying to get off on the side of the road. My 2016 Ram 1500 would not start after that. I put my Bosch code reader on the truck and it flashed P0366 which called out for the Crank Shaft sensor. Had truck towed to local dealer. This looks like it falls under the same recall as W58. In the process of getting the dealership to take responsibility of the situation and file a claim with their corporate office, because my particular VIN doesn't match their records of having this issue.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #159

Sep 022021

1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to DRIVE, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact shifted the vehicle to PARK to stop the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to their location for diagnosis. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Ukiah, CA, USA

problem #158

Aug 282021

1500

  • miles
On August 28, 2021, I was driving towards Huntsville, TX, on Hwy 30, a rural divided highway with two lanes in each direction. The speed limit is 70. The truck was empty except for me, and a few tools. I had the cruise control set at 60 mph and was going up a slight hill when then truck suddenly and violently popped out of gear. At first, I thought someone had hit me from behind. Fortunately, there was nobody close to me and I coasted to the side of the road and stopped. After a few minutes trying to calm down and read the truck manual--I never turned the engine off-- I followed the instructions to shift back to P (Park) and then select a gear. I did this and the bell ringing and flashing lights stopped. So I shifted to drive and took off again. This time I did not use the cruise control--just slowly got back up to speed. Then BOOM! Once again, around 60mph about 4 miles down the road, the truck popped out of gear a second time violently and suddenly with no warning. Once again, I coasted to a stop and just sat there halfway freaked out. Finally, I turned the emergency blinkers on and crept into Huntsville at 30 mph. The next day, Sunday, August 29, I started the truck to see what would happen, and the Check Engine light was no longer lit up. I phoned the Wischnewsky Dodge dealership in Huntsville, TX, and the Service Manager Chris Lovelady said I could bring the truck in and he would read the codes at no charge. On Friday, September 3, I met Service Manager Chris Lovelady at 11am and he downloaded the codes. I took a picture of the three codes (file uploaded below). He said the significant code of the three was P0984 Shift Solenoid 5 Control Circuit Range/Performance. He stated that since the codes were 'Stored' and not 'Active', he could not work on the truck--he said I had to drive it some more. If this incident had happened on the crowded freeway in Houston where I live, there most certainly would have been a wreck.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #157

Aug 162021

1500

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V821000 (Power Train) performed however, the repair did not correct the failure. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Whitewright, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?