2016 RAM 3500 Problems and Recalls (132 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2016 RAM 3500 is Steering (17% of 132 owner reports). There are 16 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Steering — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 132 complaints · 16 recalls
What problems show up on the 2016 RAM 3500?
23 of 132 filings named Steering (17% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Wheels (21 reports).
There are 16 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Engine, Steering, Wheels, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2015 has 136 reports on file; this year has 132. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Steering 23 complaints · 17.4% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 12
- Fires 5
- Injuries 6
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering (STEERING) | 23 | 17.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 21 | 15.9% | 2 crashes · 1 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 14 | 10.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 13 | 9.8% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 7 | 5.3% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 7 | 5.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 6 | 4.6% | 4 crashes · 0 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 6 | 4.6% | 3 crashes · 0 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 6 | 4.6% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 27 | 20.5% | 2 crashes · 3 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 16V495000 was reported 93 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V562000 was reported 557 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 17V821000 was reported 630 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18V332000 was reported 665 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18V486000 was reported 900 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 18E096000 was reported 504 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 19V021000 was reported 605 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 19V347000 was reported 1,186 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V398000 was reported 1,841 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V632000 was reported 1,730 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 25V010000 was reported 2,983 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V592000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16E041000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 16V495000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V302000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V499000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V562000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V821000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 17V824000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V332000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18V486000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 18E096000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V021000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 19V347000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V398000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V632000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 25V010000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE18016 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | EA19004 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ25003 |
Safety Recalls (16)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Engine, Steering, Wheels, and Airbags.
-
Recall campaign 15V592000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- An engine that stalls without warning increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
-
Recall campaign 16E041000
Safety recall 16E041000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the seat cover impedes the air bag deployment, the seat thorax air bags may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of a injury.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners to remove the front seat covers and return them for a full refund. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S30.
-
Recall campaign 16V495000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the driver may be unable to place the vehicle in PARK, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S48.
-
Recall campaign 17V302000
Safety recall 17V302000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the rollover side curtain air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a crash that necessitates activation of these safety systems.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ORC software, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T25.
-
Recall campaign 17V499000
Safety recall 17V499000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the wheel fractures, a loss of vehicle control can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- AEV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with wheels of similar value, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2017. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256 extension 500.
-
Recall campaign 17V562000
Engine
- Report date
- Component:
- Engine (ENGINE)
- Consequence:
- The leaking water pump can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
-
Recall campaign 17V821000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
-
Recall campaign 17V824000
Safety recall 17V824000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
-
Recall campaign 18E096000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- The weakened connection may result in a fractured steering drag link, causing a loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Streetcar will notify owners and dealers will inspect and install a new steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2018. Owners may contact AEV customer service at 1-248-926-0256, extension 500.
-
Recall campaign 18V332000
Electrical
- Report date
- Component:
- Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
-
Recall campaign 18V486000
Safety recall 18V486000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U74.
-
Recall campaign 19V021000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.
-
Recall campaign 19V347000
Safety recall 19V347000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy:
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's number for this recall is V44. Note: 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486 for this issue.
-
Recall campaign 21V398000
Wheels
- Report date
- Component:
- Wheels (WHEELS)
- Consequence:
- Wheel separation can cause a vehicle crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
-
Recall campaign 21V632000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary, the SABIC assemblies, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 4, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 26, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y55.
-
Recall campaign 25V010000
Airbags
- Report date
- Component:
- Airbags (AIR BAGS)
- Consequence:
- An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in injury.
- Remedy:
- Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's numbers for this recall are 05C, 09C, and 10C.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 6 of 132 complaints · page 1 of 6
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Pursuant to a manufacturer-issued safety recall (V06) on a steering assembly component, the manufacturer's remedy permanently damaged an otherwise functioning, adjustable steering component and created a financial barrier to basic vehicle maintenance. The component, post remedy, now would have to be replaced in order to allow adjustment to put the vehicle steering system into correct alignment. Driving a vehicle without proper front end alignment can cause premature tire wear contributing to tire failure and/or pulling to the right or left contributing to a possible accident condition. The manufacturer is refusing to pay for the replacement parts/repairs that, but for the recall remedy, would be necessary.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that when he took his vehicle to be aligned, he was advised that the vehicle was not able to be aligned, due to a previous recall repair where the drag link was welded unless the drag link was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of this issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,526.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that when taking the vehicle to the dealer for recall repair for a drag link failure, from a previous owner, the vehicle was misaligned and the vehicle was unable to be serviced and could not be properly aligned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 3500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost power and did not accelerate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that her husband hooked the vehicle up to a handheld diagnostic machine where codes: P003A, P006a, P0046 populated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,500.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 3500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the steering rack fractured, and the contact was no longer able to maneuver the vehicle. The contact strapped the steering wheel into place to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced; however, the cause of the failure was not known. The vehicle was not repaired. Another dealer was contacted and confirmed that the steering rack needed to be replaced and assisted the contact with finding the parts to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Took vehicle to dealership for repair of heater. Once the repair was complete the dealership called to say the heater was fixed but the airbag light is now on. Once doing more testing they called back to say my steering wheel airbag harness either shorted or was crushed during the heater repair The part is no longer available and no remedy was available. I just have to take my car back compromised I refused the vehicle back and requested management get involved.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2016 RAM 3500?
Owners named Steering most often — 23 of 132 reports (17%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2016 RAM 3500?
NHTSA lists 16 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Engine, Steering, Wheels, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2016 RAM 3500?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.