Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,535 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 1500, and it carries 17 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 257 | 17% |
| Engine | 145 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 121 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 109 | 7% |
| Power train | 102 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 73 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 60 | 4% |
| Suspension | 48 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 37 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 32 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The ABS warning light,electronic stability/traction control warning light, and red Brake warning light are illuminated simultaneously on the instrument cluster. The combination of these warning lights concerns me becaus
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ABS Contol module failure, highly known and documented issue with the ram 1500's. Mine is a 2016 with the 5.7L. Showing ABS code C2200-49. Parts are no where to be found and it is now impossible to have the module rebuil
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
It appears to be a fuel leak. The incident happened less than 200 miles after having a dealer perform the NHTSA recall 22V-406, FCA recall Z46. The truck caught fire while pulling a travel trailer. The only way we were
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Anti-Lock Brake Module Internal Failure - Code C2200-49 The truck ABS does not work, tractions control is disabled, and Cruise Control does not work. There were no lights or warning until the day I went to start the veh
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
When I go to put my vehicle in reverse sometimes the camera does not appear if it does it has multicolored lines coming through it or it's really fuzzy staticky looking and I have a 2016 ram hemi sport and it keeps happe
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I brought my 2016 RAM into MAACO to repaint the chipped roof and repair a minor dent in the front right fender. When I brought it in, the "Change Oil" light came on, no other warning indicators on the dash. When I pick
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Power steering failing intermittently while driving, usually at low speeds.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ABS module failed causing ABS, traction control, and cruise control to stop functioning along with intermittent loss of power steering. Contacted multiple dealers which all stated the part is no longer available and no r
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ram 1500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, p
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft positi
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot bed and a power locking tailgate. Chrysler is also recalling all 2013-2014 and 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 with a 6 or 8 foot bed and a power
Risk: If the tailgate opens while the vehicle is being driven, cargo may fall out the vehicle and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Chrysler is expected to notify owners of the expanded population on October 18
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2015-2017 RAM 1500, 2500, and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and either a 5 foot, 7 inch or 6 foot, 4 inch bed. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving.
Risk: If the tailgate latch releases and the tailgate opens while driving, cargo may fall out, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began September 17, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's num
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
Risk: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 36 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 57 | average |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 68 | good |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,535 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 257 of them (17%). There are 17 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 36/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 57/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 58/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.