2016 Ram 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
22,690 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 81 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 134 complaints (20.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 29 | 21.6% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 12.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 28 |
| Engine | 21 |
| Wheels | 21 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Suspension | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
Steering: 28; Engine: 21; Wheels: 21; Power Train: 19; Unknown Or Other: 16; Service Brakes: 11; Suspension: 10; Electrical System: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 43 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 43; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2016: 16; 2017: 23; 2018: 16; 2019: 31; 2020: 6; 2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 10; 2024: 7; 2025: 9; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 29 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10990457 · 2017-05-18 (May 18, 2017)
THE TRUCK SEATS ARE VIBRATING REALLY BAD AT 60 TO 70 MPH. THE TRUCK WAS BOUGHT NEW IN NC . I DROVE IT HOME TO FL AND TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER , THEY BALANCE THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND IT IMPROVED A LITTLE EVERY 5000 I HAD TO ROTATE OR MY TEETH WOULD START TO CHATTER. I INSTALLED MICHELIN TIRE NO IMPROVEMENT. THE TIRE ARE WEARING EVEN, NO VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL , THIS A TRANSMISSION / TRANSFER CASE / DRIVE SHAFT OR REAR END ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10990457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064516 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)
DRAG LINK FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. APPARENTLY THREADS STRIPPED OUT IN THE COUPLER NUT RESULTING IN TOTAL STEERING LOSS. *DSY
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824706 · 2016-02-07 (February 7, 2016)
OEM TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER BARELY WORKS. TRIED WITH ALL 4 SETTINGS (TRAILER TOWING SHOULD HAVE NEEDED "ELECTRIC HEAVY" SETTING) HAD TO TURN THE GAIN ALL THE WAY UP TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE, PULLING AN EMPTY TRAILER. SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPLETELY LOCK THE TRAILER BRAKES ON SETTING 10 FOR GAIN. TRAILER BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED CORRECTLY AND AFTERMARKET BRAKE CONTROLLER WORKS FINE WITH THAT TRAILER.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873745 · 2016-06-12 (June 12, 2016)
ON MAY 25 WE EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE BACKING OUR NEW 2016 5TH WHEEL TRAILER INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. THIS INCLUDED BACKING DOWN OUR HILL AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. THE ROAD WE LIVE ON IS A PRIVATE ROAD. AFTER THE INCIDENT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER RETAINING CLIP WAS EITHER NOT INSTALLED OR WAS MISSING CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO COME APART FROM THE "BRAKE" BOOSTER ARM WHICH RESULTED IN OUR INABILITY TO OPERATE THE BRAKES OF OUR PICKUP OR 2016 TRAILER. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED OVER $18…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10966215 · 2017-03-15 (March 15, 2017)
2016 3500 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL WITH AISIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 342 GEAR RATIO HAS SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AND WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN UNRESPONSIVE THROTTLE AND WHAT SEEMS TO BE CALLED A DEAD PEDAL OR TORQUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, MAYBE TO HELP FUEL ECONOMY TO MEET GOVERNMENT GUIDE LINES. DEALER SAYS IT'S "NORMAL" ACCORDING TO GOOD BROTHERS DODGE WEYMOUTH MA. PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC I FEEL I WILL GET INTO A REAR END COLLISION SINCE TRUCK WILL NOT ACCELERATE LIKE EVERY OTHER VEHICLE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GO PEDAL. PLEASE HELP PROTECT MY KIDS.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10887407 · 2016-07-21 (July 21, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WATER LEAKED FROM THE SUN ROOF WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10887407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947244 · 2017-01-23 (January 23, 2017)
ON 1/17/2017 I TOOK MY 2016 RAM 3500 INTO THE SELLING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT (DWAYNE LANE'S EVERETT, WA) TO CHECK FOR THE CAUSE OF A "CHECK TRAILER WIRING" VISUAL AND AUDIBLE WARNING WHICH HAD BEEN PRESENT INTERMITTENTLY WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE (NEW). WHEN PRESENT, THE DEFECT WOULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY IN DAMP ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT, BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF NON-FACTORY OPTIONS, THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS RETU…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,554 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11047784 · 2017-11-21 (November 21, 2017)
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 17V-562. THE DESCRIPTION PROVIDED IN THE NOTICE READS: "A WATER PUMP FAILURE RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO MOTOR VEHICLE OCCUPANTS OR PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE." I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, TATE BRANCH DODGE IN CARLSBAD, NM ON 11/21/2017. THEY STATED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE, EVEN AFTER I ASKED IF I JUST HAVE TO HOPE THAT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T CATCH ON FIRE, TO WHICH THEY SAID, "YES". ALSO, …
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11096355 · 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)
INSTALLED A NORTHERN TOOL GRAVITY FED AUXILIARY DIESEL FUEL TANK FOR DIESEL TRUCK. WORKED GREAT FOR ALMOST A YEAR. ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP, NOTICED DIESEL FUEL POURING OUT OF FILLER TUBE. THE 2016 RAM 3500 DIESEL DOES NOT COME WITH A FUEL CAP AND RELIES ON VALVE IN FILLER TUBE TO PREVENT FUEL COMING UP, USUALLY IN A WARM DAY SITUATION. WITH WEAKENED VALVE, AND USING GRAVITY FED AUXILIARY FUEL TANK, RAM TRUCK CAN CREATE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. THE ONLY WAY TO ELIMINATE HAZARD WITH FUEL IN AUXILIARY TANK IS TO MANUALLY TUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11096355 at NHTSA ↗