2016 Ram 5500: complaints, problems and recalls

TRUCK STARTS SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (62-72MPH) STEERING IS NON-RESPONSIVE WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE SWAY AND THEN STEERING WILL CATCH IMMEDIATELY AND THE SWAYING GETS WORSE. HAVE TO SLOW TO 40 MPH TO REGAIN CNTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN OTHERS AROUND YOU ARE DRIVING 65-76 MPH. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 60-75 MPH. THIS VEHICLE HAD 2 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. ALL TIRES HAD THE RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE IN THEM. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTANT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

Owner-reported narrative. 91 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808615 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE FRAME WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER LOCATED AT 903 S BURLINGTON BLVD BURLINGTON, WASHINGTON [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992833 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TEXAN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (18555 EASTEX FWY, HUMBLE, TX) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,610.

Owner-reported narrative. 46,610 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101984 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND THEN A LOUD BANGING NOISE FROM UNDERNEAT THE TRUCK. I LOST POWER AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN FOUND PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THE ROAD AND ALOT OF FLUID. THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11121408 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 5500. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED AWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PARKED WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED TO PREVENT IT FROM MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAGUIRE DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 959 HIAWATHA BLVD W, SYRACUSE, NY 13204, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V821000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURE…

Owner-reported narrative. 77,122 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142105 at NHTSA ↗

ALL FUNTIONS OF STEERING COLUMN FAILED. FOUND UNPOWERED WIRE TO 6STEERING COLUMN MODULE. TRACED WIRE TO FUSEBOX AND FOUND SEVERAL CORRODED WIRES ALONG WITH RUBBER COATING FALLING OFF. REPLACED BAD WIRE ENDS AND AM NOW LOOKING FOR A PERMINENT FIX.

Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266093 at NHTSA ↗

WAS DRIVING 65 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL, ON THE HIGHWAY, IN MOTION WHEN I FELT A VIBRATION FOR MAYBE 10 SECONDS, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON WITHIN A COUPLE SECONDS OF VIBRATION STARTING, PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, TRUCK WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. SOMEONE HAD TO BRING A TRUCK AND TRAILER TO COME PICK UP MYSELF AND THE TRUCK AND A WRECKER TO LOAD TRUCK ON TRAILER. WHEN TRUCK WAS LOADED, YOU COULD SEE THAT THE TRANSFER CASE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD EXPLODED. THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN PULLED OUT. I CHECKED FOR ANY ISSUES OF THIS TYPE WITH SIMILAR YEAR …

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269161 at NHTSA ↗

OUR TRANSFER CASE FAILED (BLOW APART) CAUSING A FIRE . WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR DEALER AND FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS DODGE HAS NOT ALLOWED THE REPAIR TO PROCEED OR PROVIDED US WITH CONTACT INFORMATION OR A PATH FORWARD. WE HAVE NO TRUCK OR PLAN FOR IT TO BE FIXED. THE TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11269389 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2015-09-23 (September 23, 2015)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.

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.

Reported: 2016-07-01 (July 1, 2016)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.

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.

Reported: 2017-09-12 (September 12, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.

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.

Reported: 2017-12-20 (December 20, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.

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.

Reported: 2017-12-21 (December 21, 2017)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

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.

Reported: 2018-05-17 (May 17, 2018)

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

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.

Reported: 2021-05-27 (May 27, 2021)

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.

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.