10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,701 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 #105

Aug 012022

1500

  • miles
I lost my power steering 8/22. I drove a while without it. The steering did not freeze up. I had to wait several months for the part to come in. A non-dealer mechanic repaired the steering. I am reporting this after reading about others who had the same problem.

- Gates Mills, OH, USA

problem #104

Dec 162020

1500

  • miles
The Traction control flashed immediately before the wreck so my assumption is there was a traction lock malfunction. The road was wet due to rain. My husband was driving 55 mph when the truck's steering locked and we ended up in the right side ditch where we hit an electric power pole. My husband had several fractured ribs. My right lower arm was broken, required surgery and a week long stay in the hospital. They put a rod with screws into my arm. The truck was totally destroyed according to our insurance company.

- Bell, Fl, FL, USA

problem #103

Mar 082023

1500

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH out of the driveway, the steering wheel become firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the steering wheel coupler needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Leitchfield, KY, USA

problem #102

Jul 252023

1500

  • 100,300 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing, the steering wheel became firm with the "Steering Failure" message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the electric power steering module needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,300.

- Millington, TN, USA

problem #101

Jul 152023

1500

  • miles
A recall was made for manufacture dates ending in 9-2015. My truck is 10-15 and exhibits the same loss of power steering at low speed as this recall. Chrysler advises me to take it to the dealer and pay out of my pocket for their, obvious, defective build.I have seen numeroys complaints regarding vehicles outside the stated MD of this recall

- Saint Clair, PA, USA

problem #100

Jun 152023

1500

  • miles
The vehicle is starting to lose power steering function. The vehicle is at 102,000 miles. This is happening any time I turn my wheel. This is a very hazardous safety issue. This issue has not been seen by any other professionals. It just started happening a couple weeks ago. I called the dealership and they said my Vin was not part of the Dodge Ram 1500 year 2015 -2016 recall. I called the manufacturer and they told me it could be a recall soon. But until then I'm to get it looked at and get it fixed. If the recall is a thing soon they will reimburse me my money.

- Cherry Tree, PA, USA

problem #99

Jul 052023

1500

  • miles
Steering stopped working while driving. Previous year had a recall for this issue and my truck was not included. This is an ongoing problem and the part needed to fix it is unavailable.

- Londonderry , NH, USA

problem #98

May 282023

1500

  • miles
Loss of power steering

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #97

Apr 302023

1500

  • 147,112 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was aligned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the upper control arms were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the tires were replaced but the failure reoccurred. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,112.

- Milan, NM, USA

problem #96

May 022023

1500

  • miles
Steering stiffens up and makes it hard to turn at lower speeds. There is a recall on rams from 2015-2019 for this exact problem that being a failure in the EPS system.

- Valley City, OH, USA

problem #95

May 042023

1500

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, causing the steering wheel to become firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #94

Apr 202023

1500

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low power steering fluid warning light illuminated then the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that she was able to maneuver the vehicle off the road. The contact notified the dealer and was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that power steering control module and the steering rack assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Manorville, NY, USA

problem #93

Apr 082023

1500

  • miles
Truck speed by itself with cruise control set to 57 mph. Driving down road and was slowing down to turn and wheel wouldn-??t turn without a lot of force.

- Scarville, IA, USA

problem #92

Mar 272023

1500

  • miles
My truck was fine up until last week and the service steering assembly light came on, and was only on briefly, and then here on Monday, I'm driving on the highway and all of a sudden all my lights start flickering, and No Bus was triggered, I was able to get it back to town and brought it to my local dodge dealer, that has confirmed that the electric steering rack has malfunctioned due to a short on the internal module. So we're wondering if it's potentially a recall for this sort of thing doesn't happen from what they know and I'm told. And as a side note I put my location in Alaska HOWEVER! I'm actually located in alberta Canada and this was the only way ronget my form submitted and everything canadian brings me to nhtsa. Thank you.

- Red Deer, AK, USA

problem #91

Sep 012022

1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm without warning. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle. Overtime, the failure became more frequent with an abnormal, clicking noise coming from the steering column. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V167000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Towanda, PA, USA

problem #90

Jan 012022

1500

  • miles
At about 75,000 miles, the BRAKE, ABS and Traction Control lights on my dash came on intermittently. Shortly thereafter, they said on indefinitely. I have had diagnostics run and the shop confirmed that the Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and/or ABS Control Module has failed. I was told by the Dodge dealership that this is a known issue with Ram trucks of this generation and they have replaced countless HCUs/ABS Control Modules. These failures cause the ABS system to no longer function. It also disables cruise control. I understand NHTSA has already opened an investigation into a similar issue with heavy duty 2017-2018 Ram trucks, but this problem is common among 2016 models AND 1500 (not just the 2500 or 3500). I have encountered innumerable people online with this exact same problem. The dealership wants $2,000 for the repair.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #89

Mar 072023

1500

  • miles
I was driving vehicle and my power steering stopped working. My steering wheel is stiff and extremely hard to move left and right. I-??m in shock this happen as the vehicle was moving.

- Miami , FL, USA

problem #88

Jan 312022

1500 6-cyl

  • miles
Electric power steering stopped working while parked at a stop light. No previous indication that it was going to go out. No dash indicators. Had to drive home with no power steering with my family in the vehicle. No accident caused. Took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed we needed a new pack and pinion. Ordered one through the dealership and waited 4 months for one before having to move out of state. Got to new state and contacted a dealer who also said they are still on back order and do not know when they will be available. This is a primary vehicle of ours and to not get be able to get ahold of a part because everyone else seems to be having the same problem is very frustrating and inconvenient and a cause of concern. We cannot drive our vehicle without it being unsafe. We have now been out of a vehicle for over a year. 10 months of that year, not being able to get ahold of a new part because they are out of stock. If the part isn-??t even available for easy repair and people have to wait months in order to receive one because they are in such high demand, that-??s a obvious fault of the manufacturer on the part and needs to be covered as a recall. I cannot sell my vehicle for a reasonable price because of the issue, I cannot trade in my vehicle for a reasonable price because of the issue and I cannot fix the issue because the part is not available. All at which is not my fault. Our vehicle had approximately 90k miles on it when it went out.

- Eagle Mountain, UT, USA

problem #87

Feb 042023

1500

  • miles
My EPS is cutting out intermittently Driving some time power steering is there and some times not looked it up on line and other vehicle from same year and manufacturer have the same problem and they have been recalled but for some reason not others

- Trenton , ME, USA

problem #86

Jan 272023

1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Shortly after starting my 2016 Ram 1500 4x4 truck on January 27 2023 I was beginning to leaving my driveway and accelerate down the road when I noticed a check steering warning light displayed on my dash. Then I noticed my steering was quickly beginning to fail just a few meters from my driveway. I noticed I had very limited steering so I decided to return the vehicle back to my driveway. There was a high pitch winding and grinding sound every time I tried to correct the steering wheel to the left or right. I barely managed to return home into my driveway where I parked it for the tow truck. After doing some research I discovered there was a safety recall May 12, 2016 on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) unit. S19 / NHTSA 16V-167 Electric Power Steering which applies to certain 2015 and 2016 model year 1500 series RAM trucks. I have scheduled an appointment to tow my truck to Bayview Chrylser dealership in Sarnia Ontario to replace the Rack and Pinion / Electric Power Steering (EPS) unit. I feel this is an extremely serious safety concern on all 2015/2016 Trucks and these vehicles should be recalled to have this part inspected and replaced by Chrysler free of charge ASAP before lives are lost! I was on the highway the day before and I consider myself very lucky this incident didn't happen at that moment where I would have had no time to react on the faster moving highway. This loss of steering control could have easily resulted in a crash or a fatality. PLEASE address the steering fault before it's too late. I look forward to hearing from a representative from Chrysler to discuss a future recall on these affected trucks. A Very concerned Dodge Truck owner

- Sarnia, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »