10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,647 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 #41

Sep 212020

1500

  • 74,725 miles
While making roughly 90 degree turns in either direction, the electronic power steering failed almost causing me to wreck with another vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign. The steering doesn't just quit working, it's as if the steering wheel won't move at all. The truck would briefly flash on the dash 'service power steering' and a chime could be heard but the code would disappear quickly. It did not leave the code in 'messages' on the display. This is a true safety hazard with some Ram trucks already being identified as having this issue. The steering also does this while sitting still. A photo was taken while stationary.

- Gloucester, NC, USA

problem #40

Aug 142020

1500

  • 59,860 miles
Power steering quit working. I took it to the dealer and they said it would cost $2,260.72 to repair. There was 59,860 miles on the vehicle. Power train warranty expires at 60,000 miles they said it was not part of the power train. I checked online and there was a recall on the power steering assist for certain 2016 Dodge Ram manufactured between 1/22/2015 and 9/13/2015. I called Chrysler and the said the recall was VIN specific and mine was not included in the recall. Surely since I had the same problem it must be a defective part and should have been included. They said mine was assembled in July of July of 2016. I do not know when that part was built. The light first came on when I started the vehicle then the power steering did not work.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #39

Aug 202020

1500 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while reversing, the power steering seized and the vehicle failed to turn. The service power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the an unspecified circuit board was not responding. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure referenced in NHTSA campaign number: 16V167000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Consumer stated wire was chewed and problem resolved. He would like to remove/delete the complaint.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #38

Jul 212020

1500

  • 105,501 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel ceased and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The power steering assist failure warning light illuminated and the service power steering message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven in manual steering mode. The vehicle was taken to san antonio Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 11910 I-35 frontage rd, san antonio, tx 78233, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering, suspension gear and steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the electronic power steering assist system needed replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,501.

- Jourdanton, TX, USA

problem #37

May 012020

1500

  • 102,348 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving 1 mph, the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated that the power steering service warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to his residence. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken to san antonio Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 11910 I-35 frontage rd, san antonio, tx 78233, (210) 239-1808, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 16V167000 (steering), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,348.

- Jourdanton, TX, USA

problem #36

Jul 122020

1500

  • 23,000 miles
Truck has electric power steering. Was in a parking lot and started the truck but the steering was locked. Could not get it to unlock and had towed to nearest Dodge dealer. They are saying it is the rack and pinion that is bad and needs replaced. Truck only has 23000 miles on it and is currently owned by a single mom who only uses it to take her kids to school, go to work 3 days a week and errands around small town. Usually drives maximum of 50-75 miles or less per week.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #35

Jul 162020

1500 8-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
I experienced intermittent steering effort turning a corner, almost ran into pole when I could not turn onto my street. Mechanic said my steering rack failed. Truck has 44,000 miles.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #34

May 112020

1500 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
This truck is manufactured 9/15 and has an electronic power steering. There is a recall 16V167000. Power steering all of a sudden stopped working last week. Why would my truck not fit the bill as everything matches the below? recall number 16V167000 recall date 03/23/2016 component steering:electric power assist system summary Chrysler (fca us llc) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2015, to September 13, 2015. Contamination on the electric power steering (eps) control circuit board may cause a short and result in the loss of power steering assist. Consequence if the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

- Enfield, NH, USA

problem #33

Apr 012020

1500

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated upon making a turn, the power steering became difficult to operate without warning. The contact continued driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Lipan, TX, USA

problem #32

Jan 012020

1500

  • 65,000 miles
When turning truck at low speeds wheel becomes very hard to turn, if truck is parked a couple days when I try to drive steering is very very stiff. Also when turning at low speeds steering wheel pulls in opposite direction alittle

- Elyria, OH, USA

problem #31

Apr 012020

1500

  • 50,000 miles
My 2016 Ram 1500 will randomly loose power steering. I'll be turning and it gets real hard to turn. I'm thinking it has something to do with the power steering. It doesn't matter if I'm going fast or slow. It does it quite often. Doesn't matter if I'm on the road or off the road. It doesn't while I'm in motion or at a stop

- Stahlstown, PA, USA

problem #30

Feb 222020

1500

  • 41,000 miles
My truck's electric power steering suddenly stopped working while I was driving at low speeds on snow/salt covered roads. This occurred a few days after going through a car wash. Vehicle only has 41,000 miles. After some research I found a Chrysler recall S19 (NHTSA recall 16V-167) was issued for this problem. When I contacted Chrysler they told me my vehicle fits the build dates for this recall but the recall was not listed under my VIN and they did not know why. I cannot safely driver my vehicle and Chrysler does not want to execute this recall. Please help me figure out why the scope of this recall does not include all effected vehicles. Thank you.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #29

Feb 012020

1500

  • 60,000 miles
The power steering is working intermittently. Dangerous while traveling

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #28

Nov 052019

1500

  • 47,000 miles
I have had my 2016 Ram 1500 aligned 4 times in the last 2 months. Everytime I bring it in to the dealership they say it is way out of alignment and correct it. In a few days the truck will start pulling again. All highway driving.

- Camby, IN, USA

problem #27

Dec 142019

1500

  • 36,500 miles
I was driving to a local business and the power steering warning light came on and the power steering was suddenly gone while parking in the parking lot. It was in the city at slow speed. Diagnosis by the local dealer says the electronic unit for the power steering failed. Appears it could have happened on the highway and been very dangerous. This appears to be the same failure as the NHTSA recall no 16V-167/ mfg recall no. S19. The following site has many complaints that are similar that were not part of the limited 440 vehicle recall. Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ram/1500/2016/recalls/loss-of-power-steering-assist-16V167000.shtml it appears to me the recall was not broad enough. My vehicle has just under 37,000 miles on it. Right in the range of most of the complaints.

- Oak Harbor, WA, USA

problem #26

Dec 172019

1500

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While driving 50 mph, the power steering failed and an unknown warning indicator illuminated after the failure. The contact drove the vehicle to salsbury's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (13939 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70817, (225) 926-8800) where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V167000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #25

Sep 022019

1500

  • 56,000 miles
This 2016 3.0L eco diesel is a death trap after fca reprogramed the software 2 months ago. 2-4 second hesitation when you press on the gas. The truck just sits there and does not move. In two months I have had 3 close calls pulling into traffic. Extremely scary when you hit the gas and nothing happens and a car is coming down the highway at you at 55 mph and you're seconds from getting T-boned. It's just a matter of time before people start dying in this death trap. The diesel had many problems before they reprogramed it. Since new the truck has gone into limp mode 4 times where the engine lights come on and the motor shuts down to about 10 mpg. Last time I almost got killed on the freeway when this happened. You're stuck on the highway going 5-10 mph trying to get off the highway when cars are flying past you at 70 mph. These 3.0L Dodge eco diesels are very, very, very dangerous to drive. After the reprograming from fca they have a very dangerous turbo lag time. Fca has done nothing to address the problem. The reprograming of the software made them worse and more dangerous. Because of the way they designed this eco diesel, it is prone to catch fire. On my truck I had a fire under the hood and a hole melted through the intake manifold. Luckily, the truck did not burst into flames but it was in the dealership for almost 3 weeks being repaired. This truck is very dangerous and the truck needs to be recalled and if fca can't fix them, they need to buy them back and get these death traps off the road. Sorry, I can't describe just a single specific instance, it's dangerous every time you get behind the wheel. I would like to meet with the president of fca and have him take my truck for a drive with his family in it and then give his opinion as to the quality of this engine. I do not allow my wife to drive this truck as it's a death trap.

- Gladstone, MI, USA

problem #24

Oct 282019

1500

  • 70,000 miles
As I was turning onto the road to my house I heard screeching as my steering locked up and I couldn't turn my vehicle anymore. A light flashed indicating 'service power steering'. my vehicle has been brought to a local mechanic shop as well as the dealer and both informed me the same thing. My eps (electronic power steering) needs to be replaced. Which is recall # 'S19'. vehicles of the same make and year are being recalled for the same issue.

- Dayton, TX, USA

problem #23

Oct 192019

1500

  • miles
Driving to my home turning right, the steering locked up? for about 2-3 seconds. Lost control of the truck. Also noticed a problem in Oct camp trip. In green ridge forest.as I drove on bumpy roads, I noticed steering difficulties.dismissed as off road bumps. After returning home, went to dinner with friends.the steering locked up. Thornton Dodge claims this is my responsibility to pay. Dodge recalled almost 900,000 trucks for steering. I should not have to pay.

- Glen Rock, PA, USA

problem #22

Oct 142019

1500

  • 42,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. While attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel assist warning indicator illuminated continuously. In addition, the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to reedman toll Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of langhorne (1700 Lincoln hwy #103, langhorne, pa 19047, (215) 757-4961) where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V167000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Morrisdale, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »