2016 Ram 1500
Common Problems
Ranked from 615 federal NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
16 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Power Steering Assist Failure
316complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe power steering assist intermittently fails, making it difficult to turn the wheel.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 16V167000
- 2
ABS Module Failure
128complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module has failed, leading to the loss of ABS and traction control, creating dangerous conditions in wet or emergency braking situations.
$800–$2,000est. abs module replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
121complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls or has difficulty starting, especially when attempting to start the vehicle.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V475000, 19V757000, 23V411000
- 4
Power Steering Malfunction
106complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering system intermittently malfunctions, causing difficulty in turning the steering wheel and potentially leading to a complete loss of power steering assist.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 16V167000
- 5
Brake Warning Light Illumination
37complaintsMedium severityBrakesMultiple instances of brake warning lights illuminating without a corresponding mechanical issue have been reported, indicating potential underlying brake system problems.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Brake Warning Lights On
17complaintsLow severityBrakesThe Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and/or Brake warning lights illuminate, indicating potential issues with the braking system.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Failure
7complaintsHigh severityOtherThe ABS system fails, causing the anti-lock brakes to malfunction and increasing the risk of accidents.
- 8
Fuel Tank Strap Failure
5complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe front fuel tank strap fails, causing the fuel tank to sag and potentially leading to a fuel leak or instability during driving.
$300–$1,200est. fuel line/tank repair · 2–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V406000
- 9
Steering Rack Failure
5complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering rack fails, causing the steering wheel to lock up and making it difficult to control the vehicle.
$900–$2,000est. steering rack replacement · 4–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 16V167000
- 10
Electrical System Issues Leading to Power Steering Failure
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalElectrical system failures cause the power steering to intermittently fail, requiring the vehicle to be turned off and on to reset the issue.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 18V332000
- 11
Steering Wheel Locking Up
3complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe steering wheel locks up during operation, making the vehicle difficult to control.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 16V167000
- 12
Air Ride Suspension Failure
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionAir ride suspension system malfunctions, causing the vehicle to be difficult to control and potentially unsafe to drive.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Fuel Pump/Sender Failure
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe fuel pump or sender fails, potentially leading to stalling, power loss, and failure to start.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 22V406000
- 14
Fuel Sensor Failure
2complaintsLow severityFuel systemThe fuel sensor malfunctions, causing incorrect fuel level readings and check engine lights to illuminate.
Related recall: 22V406000
- 16
Tailgate Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherTailgate opens unexpectedly while driving, posing a minor safety risk and inconvenience.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.