Is the 2016 Ram 2500 reliable?

The 2016 Ram 2500 has 367 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Ram 2500?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (62 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (60 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (41 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Ram 2500?

Yes, there are 14 recall(s): STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, STEERING:LINKAGES, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT, WHEELS, EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EQUIPMENT, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Contact any Ram dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Ram 2500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Ram 2500 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Ram 2500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Ram 2500 has 367 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 273. The most common issue is transmission problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: 2016 ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 6.4 liter v8 - my truck is 5 months old with 4,500 miles on it. i have had this problem two times so far. i would be driving and the check engine and throttle positioning sensor warning lights come on. the truck would lose acceleration and sometimes the truck would acc. There are 14 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 12 crash reports 8 injuries

367

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

62 complaints

17%

• 2016 RAM 2500 CREW CAB 4X4 6.4 LITER V8 - MY TRUCK IS 5 MONTHS OLD WITH 4,500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWO TIMES SO FAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THE TRUCK WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WOULD ACC
• DEAD PEDAL. THIS VEHICLE WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE, RELEASING ACCELERATOR AND THEN GETTING BACK IMMEDIATELY ON THE ACCELERATOR, DOES NOT RESPOND FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER AND RAM SAYS IT IS NORMAL, BUT MANY OWNERS
• TODAY I HAD A CLOSE CALL. CRUISING EMPTY, NOT TOWING, SOMEONE PULLED OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY. GOT ON THE BRAKES. HAD A GOOD OPENING IN THE NEXT LANE. PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS PEDDLE AND STARTED SHIFTING LANES. THE TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, NOT EVEN A LITTLE. AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE 2-3

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 6 crashes

“2016 RAM 2500 CREW CAB 4X4 6.4 LITER V8 - MY TRUCK IS 5 MONTHS OLD WITH 4,500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWO TIMES SO FAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THE TRUCK WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WOULD ACC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Ram 2500

Based on 203 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 23K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

131

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 38K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (14)

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION25/01/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Ram 3500 and 2014-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab and Ram 2500 vehicles. The outboard steering linkage jam nut may loosen, allowing one end of the drag link to separate.

Risk: A drag link separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will check the steering linkage jam nut tightness, replacing the drag link assembly or welding the nut to the adjuster sleeve, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V06.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Ram 2500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ram 2500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

5.7L HEMI: 8,000 mile oil intervals; EcoDiesel: shorter intervals for DEF and fuel filter. Towing usage requires severe service intervals.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ram New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ram. If you're buying a used 2016 2500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ram dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 367 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 2016 RAM 2500 CREW CAB 4X4 6.4 LITER V8 - MY TRUCK IS 5 MONTHS OLD WITH 4,500 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TWO TIMES SO FAR. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. THE TRUCK WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WOULD ACC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION: THE 2016 2500 RAM DIESEL TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE LOST, INCLUDING A... COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE... BRAKE LIGHTS... POWER STEERING... POWER BRAKES. EVERYTHING DIES WI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: B/T 15-20 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. NO WARNING, NO NOISE, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE GOES TO NOTHING, AND RPMS DROP TO 0. I LOOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AS WELL. EVERYTHING ELSE HAS POWER TO IT (RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC WORK) HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, 3 IN A ROW, SPENT 2 DAYS AT DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION: THE 2016 2500 RAM DIESEL TRUCK HAS A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES IT TO DO A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING. A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE LOST, INCLUDING A... COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE... BRAKE LIGHTS... POWER STEERING... POWER BRAKES. EVERYTHING DIES WI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 14 recalls have been completed — free at any Ram dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)