2016 RAM 1500 problems
Owners have filed 2,089 complaints about the 2016 RAM 1500 with NHTSA. Steering accounts for 14.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine at 13.9%.
Complaints2,089
Crashes124
Fires59
Injuries100
Deaths7
What owners report breaking
Steering 14.6% · 304
Engine 13.9% · 291
Service brakes 11.2% · 234
Power train 9.6% · 201
Electrical system 9.1% · 190
Fuel/propulsion system 9.0% · 188
Unknown or other 6.0% · 125
Vehicle speed control 5.2% · 109
Severity
Of those complaints, 124 describe a crash, 59 describe a fire, 100 report an injury and 7 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 13 model years of the RAM 1500 in this data, 2016 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2014 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 776 in the last three years against 501 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 50,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Service Power Steering alerted. Power steering is out. Took truck to shop, shop recommended I take to dealership for a recall that was issued for EPS recall. Believe my truck just so happens to have been built some months outside the window the manufacturer claims were impacted vehicles. Awfully suspicious. I have not yet taken vehicle to dealership but wanted to document this consumer report as soon as I could. Steering
The electronic power steering (EPS) module failed and the vehicle lost all power steering making it unsafe to drive the vehicle. The issue was confirmed after being brought to a Ram dealership to be inspected, the inspection for the vehicle confirmed an "Active" code for C2217. I was told by the dealership that the EPS Module had failed and needed to be replaced, and that the ENTIRE Rack and Pinion MUST be replaced. Steering
The steering is difficult as though the power steering is gone at low speeds. My battery died and after disconnecting it and replacing the battery, the power steering was fine for a few days. It then went back to not working and hasnât worked since. Steering the truck around turns through a city is difficult when power steering isnât available. No warning lights or check engine lights have been illuminated. Steering
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…