10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,478 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ram 1500:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #70

May 092020

1500 8-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
Engine check light, no gas gauge reading, low fuel light sign while driving vehicle that has a full tank of gas. Fuel pump sensor came on at 35,000 miles 2016 Dodge Ram 1500. 5.7 motor. Went on line and people our showing that Dodge between 2014--2018. Are having this problem and warranty won't cover it, and they know it is a problem. But refuse to do anything about it. There should be a recall on this. Lucky for me I had a extended warranty so I only paid a $100 deductible on a $700 dollar service bill. This is not right and needs to be recalled.

- White City, OR, USA

problem #69

Mar 132020

1500 8-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
With only 45,000 miles I have had two different issues with the fuel system. The latest issue is showing a fuel level sensor fail. The tank shows full after filling, but after 50 miles it does not register any fuel. From online research, it appears to be the fuel sending unit.

- Fort Huachuca, AZ, USA

problem #68

Apr 152020

1500

  • 23,500 miles
Since I've had the aem updated as part of the epa settlement I have delay when pressing the gas and acceleration, particularly when it is cold. There has also been a significant mpg drop although that isn't an immediate safety concern. This can be a particular issue when pulling into interchanges or on to the highway as acceleration is unpredictable.

- Glen Carbon, IL, USA

problem #67

Feb 292020

1500

  • 97,125 miles
The fuel level sensor circuit has high output. It can't pass emissions. The vehicle was stationary.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #66

Jan 252020

1500

  • 116,000 miles
I took my truck into a dealer because the exhaust system wouldn't clean itself. I found out there were recalls pertaining to this and they were handled as far as I knew. However, just a few weeks later as I was pulling into my driveway at home I noticed smoke barreling out from under the hood. I imediately tried to shut it off and when I did it would rev up higher instead of shutting off. I got it to shut off finally and left it sitting there overnight until I could get a tow truck to take it back to the dealership, where I was informed that this problem is now so common that the part is on back order and no idea of when they will be able to get it. Now its 3 weeks later and I still haven't gotten my truck back.

- Metter, GA, USA

problem #65

Jan 162020

1500

  • 50,000 miles
2016 Ram ecodiesel 60,000 miles I recently accepted the offer from Ram for emissions recall on my ecodiesel. I agreed to it thinking that with the extended warranty that they offered that my problems would be taken care of. Part of the recall was to have the aem update done to your truck. After the dealer installed this which I believe it was just an ECM reflash my truck gets worse fuel economy and sometimes will start and the rpms will slowly creep down until the truck dies. If I keep restarting the engine it will eventually stay running after 10 or 15 minutes idling. Normally does it when you are on a time crunch. My engine has always consumed a lot of engine coolant. Was on a trip with my family and the heat quit working. I stopped at a parts store and purchased a gallon of antifreeze and it took the whole gallon to fill it back up to the resovoir. I have had to add coolant at least once a month. Have probably added 4 gallons in the last year.acceleration is very sluggish at times. This is very dangerous because you never know when it's going to do it. I recently took my truck to the dealer for the starting problem and the coolant consumption problem. I was floored when the service writer called and said that Ram is aware of these problems but there is currently no fix and gave me free antifreeze! I could understand this if the truck was brand new but it's 4 years old. There should be a fix by now! I am paying $500 a month for a vehicle that may or may not start. It may or may not move when I hit the accelerator pedal and it still uses antifreeze. I am very dissatisfied with this truck and Ram not holding up to their end of the deal. If I knew what I know now I would've opted out of their offer. All of these vehicles have the same issues and Ram needs to be held accountable for their neglect of these problems. My truck is a death trap!

- Rushville, OH, USA

problem #64

Nov 032019

1500

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated the fuel sensor was reading incorrectly giving false reading at half of tank and when the gauge reached zero the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnosis or a mechanic for repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #63

Sep 022019

1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that when the fuel tank would reach half a tank, the check engine light would illuminate which then would turn into a low fuel light illuminating. The contact stated that the fuel gauge would then immediately read as empty. The contact took the vehicle to douglas Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram (2382 S tamiami trail, venice, fl 34293) where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective fuel sensor and gave the contact an estimate of $800. The manufacturer was notified and offer him no assistance; they referred him to NHTSA. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Rotonda West, FL, USA

problem #62

Aug 312019

1500

  • miles
I need help with a safety issue after recall V08 epa & carb emissions modification. Since the program was updated, I have experienced severe hesitation upon acceleration. This hesitation is so severe that I cannot safely pull into traffic without risking an accident. I have taken my truck to the dealer twice since September 2019 and have made numerous phone calls to the dealer and fca. I was told from the dealer that the hesitation is very apparent, that fca is aware of the problem as it is wide spread, and fca is working on an update to the program. However, there is not a time frame for when there will be a fix. After numerous phone calls to the dealer and fca with no resolution, I sent an email to reid bigland, head of Ram brand, but have heard nothing in response. Considering the significance of the hesitation, and the potential safety risks, I find the lack of urgency to correct this safety issue and nonchalant responses to my concerns completely unacceptable. Will you please help me in obtaining a resolution to this safety concern? if needed, I can provide my service records and the detailed letter that I sent Mr. Bigland

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #61

Aug 052019

1500

  • 115,000 miles
The epa required update to my 2016 Ram 1500 eco diesel has caused two issues and the first is a big safety issue affecting thousands of eco diesel owners. After the update to the egr the truck has a cold lag in take off of up to 7 seconds which could result in an accident. The second issue is the loss of 4 mpg fuel economy. We the owners are requesting that Chrysler return the vehicles back to the old programming until a fix can be developed. I am afraid someone is going to get killed before the issue is addresses. Can you help us in this matter?

- Ada, OK, USA

problem #60

Oct 012019

1500

  • miles
After the mandatory aem update the truck lost acceleration power and mpg went way down. I was told the trucks performance would stay exactly the same. In reality the truck turned into a slug. Also received a recall about possible fires due to egr cooler leaking coolant. Fca told me until a there's a fix to carry a jug of coolant and continue to refill as needed. I think that's ridiculous, the truck is 4 years old.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #59

Oct 042019

1500

  • 106,480 miles
2nd time this has happened, checked eng light came on, low fuel sensor failed, fuel gauge goes to empty, truck runs fine, does not matter if driving on streets or highway, very concerned I dont run out of gas, I have to fill up every week, praying for a recall to have this mechanical failure fix quickly

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #58

Oct 282019

1500

  • miles
19V 757 (safety recall number) safety recall was issued on 10.28.2019 to a possible fire hazard in the engine compartment due to possible cracks in the egr cooler. The date listed for notification / fix (December 13, 2019) has come and gone with no updates or info from Fiat / Chrysler. Due to the potential hazard of a fire, fca should have this issue resolved by now..... still waiting.....

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #57

Dec 132019

1500

  • 57,000 miles
Ram 2016 ecodiesel is the subject of recall VB1 regarding threat of fire from faulty egr valve. The NHTSA recall was announced in October and now the best estimate of a fix has been delayed from December 13 to April. That's too long to park this vehicle. Fca should offer the buyback that appears in the aem settlement to any truck that is a threat to burst into flames if driven. Others appear willing to drive their vehicles. I am not, nor would any well informed owner.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #56

Dec 092019

1500

  • 42,000 miles
Did the new ecodiesel update and now truck lags during acceleration. Takes a second or 2 to take off. Also with the egr cooler recall I'm losing coolant can possibly cause a fire. Fca told me when I called to carry a jug of coolant with me to refill as needed. I would think I would have to do this on a 3 year old truck.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #55

Dec 062019

1500

  • 55,000 miles
Vehicle stalled out while driving at low speed in the city.tried to restart then began sputtering and ultimately died. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop and was told it was a bad fuel relay found in the tipm system.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #54

Dec 022019

1500

  • 63,000 miles
The fuel gauge goes to empty when it is full. Bad fuel sensor. It basically bounces around when I fill it up and then returns to empty. The dealership acknowledges this is a very common problem. I can't allow my wife and four children to drive long distances if they don't know how much fuel is in the tank. Extreme safety concern in desert area. This needs to be addressed at a large scale.

- Rupert, ID, USA

problem #53

Sep 022019

1500

  • 36,500 miles
I purchased a new 2106 Ram 1500 ecodiesel in 2016 from a dealer. There was an emissions recall for which I took to the dealer and had done according to the manufacturer. Since the recall was completed I have had a serious lag in acceleration. There is now a 3 to 4 second delay at 3/4 throttle before the truck takes off in a lurch. I asked the dealer how this can be fixed to accelerate as before the recall and they said there was nothing they could and that they would not undo the computer changes. I live off a busy street and trying to flow into traffic is a real challenge and a safety hazard. I'm afraid to lend my truck to family and friends because of the safety hazard and wanted to make sure a complaint has been filed.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #52

Nov 272019

1500

  • 41,000 miles
Vehicle is three years old with roughly 41K miles. Engine light comes on, code reads fuel pump. Light goes out. Week or two later truck info menu says fuel sensor error and gauge reads empty. Researched and seen this is a common problem with similar year models. Even dealership confirms this. This will cost 1K to fix as well as a whole day at the shop. Why isn't this a recall? I've never heard of fuel sensors or pumps going bad this early. This issue isn't cover under powertrain warranty. It is under bumper to bumper but I'm out of luck as it's three year/36K miles. Engine light/sensor/gauge issue occured when cranking it up. I turned it off and back on and the gauge went to the appropriate level although engine light is still on. I use 87 fuel.

- Drayton, SC, USA

problem #51

Oct 022019

1500

  • 50,000 miles
When driving the vehicle and the gas gauge gets below a half tank then the check engine light turns on, then the gas gauge goes to empty, and then the low fuel light comes on. Ten fuel sensor fail.

- Rotonda West, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »