2016 RAM 1500 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2016 RAM 1500, 4% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 102,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel diesel” (27% of reports).
- 62engine and engine cooling complaints
- 102,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 70%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel diesel: mentioned in 17 of 62 complaints (27%)
- Tone wheel: mentioned in 12 of 62 complaints (19%)
- Chrysler dodge: mentioned in 9 of 62 complaints (15%)
- Engine cooling contacted: mentioned in 7 of 62 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 47 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 62 complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.
RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 1500 | 6 | 2% | 3,523 |
| 2023 1500 | 1 | 0% | 52,000 |
| 2022 1500 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2021 1500 | 4 | 1% | 52,850 |
| 2020 1500 | 10 | 2% | 58,450 |
| 2019 1500 | 18 | 1% | 63,000 |
| 2018 1500 | 46 | 7% | 96,500 |
| 2017 1500 | 32 | 4% | 95,000 |
| 2016 1500 | 62 | 4% | 102,000 |
| 2015 1500 | 63 | 4% | 115,116 |
| 2014 1500 | 50 | 3% | 105,000 |
| 2013 1500 | 8 | 1% | 66,114 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk: Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the messages "Service Emissions Control" and "Exhaust Filter 100 Percent Full - Service Required - See Dealer" were displayed, and there was a strong fuel odor coming through the vents while idling or while driving. Additionally, while…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the towing suddenly failed. The contact was able to drive off the exit. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the week before, while idling at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly…
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the "Drive to Park" and "Pull Over and Shift Gear" messages were displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2016 RAM 1500s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 62 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2016 RAM 1500 (4% of the 1,549 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2016 RAM 1500 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 102,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2016 RAM 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel diesel”, in 17 of 62 complaints, followed by “tone wheel” (12).
Other 2016 RAM 1500 problems
See all 2016 RAM 1500 problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all 1500 years.