Home · 2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab · Complaints

What 1,501 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,501)Crash / fire / injury (133)Steering (301)Engine (291)Brakes (250)Transmission & drivetrain (200)Fuel system (194)Electrical system (183)Speed control (103)Fuel System, Diesel (79)Suspension (66)Engine & cooling (59)

27 of 1,501 complaints match · Engine · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Sep 5, 2022Electrical systemAirbagsEngineCrash1 injury

I was driving down the highway when my truck suddenly throws its self into park while traveling at 55 mph. My stuck started spinning causing me to bounce off the safety rails on both sides of the highway. My truck took a front end hit to a concrete wall and my airbags did not deploy. Once my truck came to a stop sideways in the middle of the highway it wouldn’t come out of park because it was shut off. I started the truck and placed it in drive and was able to move a few feet from the center of the highway. The truck was towed. No warning lights had went off nothing. I’m having bad neck pain from the residual effects of the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11482883

Nov 1, 2021EngineFire

Engine caught on fire, been trying to get recalls replaced since 4/18/21 when all other recalls were taken care of

NHTSA ODI 11438914

Jul 8, 2021EngineFire1 injury

Truck was at the dealer for Recalls repairs & Maintenance. After weekend driving to work, engine fire occurred, truck totaled. Per nationwide insurance letter received 7-7 under "next steps" it gave this website to report this to you. I would like to be notified of outcome

NHTSA ODI 11423861

Dec 8, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V475000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE THE ENGINE REEVED UP AND STALLED. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND DETECTED A FIRE AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED MCCONNELL CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 1405 HEALDSBURG AVE, HEALDSBURG, CA 95448 (888) 392-4082 WHO REFERRED CONTACT TO MANUFACTURER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11378461

Oct 24, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngineFire

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND LOST ALL POWER, NOTICED SOME STEAM/SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. I DID NOT HAVE AN EXTINGUISHER SO I CALLED 911. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS PART OF THE EGR COOLER RECALL FOR THE RAM ECODIESEL, PART WAS ON ORDER BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED YET. I HAD BEEN ADDING COOLANT TO THE TRUCK EVERY FEW WEEKS , TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THIS BUT THEIR RESPONSE WAS TO NOT LET THE COOLANT LEVEL GET TOO LOW. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11366156

Jul 8, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ABNORMAL SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE CONTACT STATED A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000

NHTSA ODI 11338240

Jun 4, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS A STREAM OF SMOKE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER. ANOTHER VEHICLE OWNER WHO NOTICED THE FIRE PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED, IN VAIN, TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH HIS OWN FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE VEHICLE BURNT TO THE GROUND WITHIN MINUTES. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT IT WAS TOO LATE TO STOP THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO INJURY REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE WESTGATE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM DEALER (2695 E MAIN ST, PLAINFIELD, IN 46168, (317) 839-6554) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE REMNANT WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11327293

May 26, 2020Electrical systemBody & structureEngineFire

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BACK FIRE POURING SMOKE PULLED OVER OPEN HOOD SAW FLAMES MOVE TO SAFETY FILED COMPLAINT WITH FCA THEY SENT AN ARM CHAIR INVESTIGATOR WHO SAID INVESTIGATING HE FOUND NOTHING THAT SHOWS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FCA THEY STATED EVEN THOUGH THERE IS RECALL THAT WARNS OF FIRE HAZARD DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THERE FAULT. SO FAR THEY DO NOT HAVE REPAIR PARTS TO FIX AND FOR ME IT IS TO LATE TRUCK WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE FIRE FCA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326069

Apr 21, 2020EngineFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY DUE TO THE EGR DIFFUSER THE INTAKE WAS AFFECTED. DODGE HAS CURRENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS AND RECALLED PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED AND CANNOT BE ORDERED AT THE MOMENT

NHTSA ODI 11321825

Apr 17, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACT AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, DUE TO A STALLING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER SEVERAL RECALLS HOWEVER, ONE RECALL WAS NO COMPLETED DUE TO PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN APRIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER INFORMED HER TO ADD COOLANT TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A FIELD INSPECTOR WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11321418

Feb 17, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel systemFire

I TOOK MY TRUCK INTO A DEALER BECAUSE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WOULDN'T CLEAN ITSELF. I FOUND OUT THERE WERE RECALLS PERTAINING TO THIS AND THEY WERE HANDLED AS FAR AS I KNEW. HOWEVER, JUST A FEW WEEKS LATER AS I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME I NOTICED SMOKE BARRELING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I IMEDIATELY TRIED TO SHUT IT OFF AND WHEN I DID IT WOULD REV UP HIGHER INSTEAD OF SHUTTING OFF. I GOT IT TO SHUT OFF FINALLY AND LEFT IT SITTING THERE OVERNIGHT UNTIL I COULD GET A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOW SO COMMON THAT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA OF WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT. NOW ITS 3 WEEKS LATER AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY TRUCK BACK.

NHTSA ODI 11309654

Feb 5, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineFire

WHILE DRIVING HOME, I NOTICED SOME NOISE THAT OUNDE LIKE A TURBO NOISE AND LOOS OF POWER. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF ENGINE AND POPED HOOD. LOOKE UP AND SMOKE FROM ENGINE. OPENED HOOD AND SAW SMALL FIRE ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE BY TURBO HOUSING. SOON THE TRUCK WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED BY FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI 11307203

Jan 16, 2020EngineFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE 2 DAYS AFTER WE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE VB1. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS WITH NO TIME FRAME FOR WHEN PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A PUBLIC ROAD- ROUTE 16 IN PINKHAM NOTCH, NH

NHTSA ODI 11299962

Jan 3, 2020EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, WHEN HE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ELECTRICAL SOON WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A BYSTANDER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER BERLIN CITY FORD-LINCOLN LOCATED AT 485 MAIN ST, GORHAM, NH 03581, (603) 752-6644. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,100. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11296914

Dec 30, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CHECKED THE OIL PRESSURE. AFTER RESTARTING THE IGNITION, THE WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF, SMOKE POURED OUT FROM THE VENTS, AND FLAMES WERE SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITH WATER. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FOX NEGAUNEE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 701 US-41, NEGAUNEE, MI 49866, (906) 475-9941) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER, INTAKE MANIFOLD, RIGHT BANK FUEL, INTAKE HOSE, AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11292021

Dec 17, 2019BrakesEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC ODOR AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER. AN UNKNOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FLAMES CAME OUT OF THE HEAT VENTS AND THE SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A CLAIM, BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT COMPENSATED WITH ASSISTANCE TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FIRE OR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. *LN *TR*DT*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11289677

Dec 13, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SMOKE WAS SEEN UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE RAIN WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE THAT WAS STARTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HARTLEY'S CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (30 MAIN ST, NEWPORT, ME 04953, (207) 368-5751) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THROUGH THE DEALER AND WAS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE PART. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11288876

Nov 23, 2019Body & structureEngineFire

VEHICLE TAKEN IN ON 8-12-19 TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK OUT DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS AFTER "APPROVED EMISSON MODIFICATION" THEY HAD IT TO APPLY UPDATE FROM 5-17-19 TO 6-12-19, CONCERNS ON 8-12-19 WERE ACCELERATION, ALSO TO CHECK EGR SYSTEM AS I WAS LOSING COOLANT THEY HAD MY VEHICLE FROM 8-12-19/9-13-19 WHEN THEY CALLED ME TELLING ME I NEEDED TO RETURN THE RENTAL CAR AND PICK MY VEHICLE AS THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE ACCELERATION I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN UPDATE TO BE RELEASED. THEY DIDN'T CHECK THE EGR SYSTEM ONLY TOPPED IT OFF WITH COOLANT AND TOLD ME TO WATCH IT. ALL WAS FINE UNTIL 9-16-19 WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, ABOUT 7 MILES FROM WORK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CONTINUED ON ABOUT A MILE FROM MY WORK LOCATION THE SERVICE THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND ABOUT 1/4-1/2 MILE AWAY FROM THE WORK LOCATION THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE DIED. I FINISHED COASTING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED WENT INSIDE TO GET WORK RELATED PAPERWORK I NEEDED AND CAME BACK OUTSIDE AND SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THERE WAS SMOKE/FIRE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE BAY WHEN STARING IN (INTAKE, EGR AREA) AT THAT POINT I GOT IN TO THE VEHICLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL VIA DISENGAGEMENT LEVER TO ROLL VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE I GOT IT AWAY FROM THE HOUSE AND GOT OUT AND AWAY AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO COME EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AS IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AT THAT POINT. RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. NOW AFTERWARDS THERE IS NOW A RECALL FOR THE EGR COOLER THAT "MAY FATIGUE AND CAUSE VEHICLE FIRE" CHRYSLER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND AREN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING THEY SENT OUT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING PEOPLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IT WAS STATED THERE WAS NO VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A BUYBACK CLAIM HAS BEEN STARTED BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING TO THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI 11281945

Nov 12, 2019EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V757000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE DETECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE LOW OIL PRESSURE AND ELECTRICAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, FLAMES WERE DETECTED UNDER THE HOOD PRIOR TO SMOKE BEING DETECTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT AND THEN TOWED TO LITHIA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF EUREKA (4320 BROADWAY ST, EUREKA, CA 95503, 707) 382-3208). THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE LOCAL TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S POSSESSION WHERE IT WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO LITHIA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT OF EUREKA (4320 BROADWAY ST, EUREKA, CA 95503, (707) 382-3208) DUE TO THE ENGINE STALLING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVE THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,600.

NHTSA ODI 11279511

Nov 9, 2019SteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngineFire

THIS 2016 3.0L ECO DIESEL IS A DEATH TRAP AFTER FCA REPROGRAMED THE SOFTWARE 2 MONTHS AGO. 2-4 SECOND HESITATION WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS. THE TRUCK JUST SITS THERE AND DOES NOT MOVE. IN TWO MONTHS I HAVE HAD 3 CLOSE CALLS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS AND A CAR IS COMING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT YOU AT 55 MPH AND YOU'RE SECONDS FROM GETTING T-BONED. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE PEOPLE START DYING IN THIS DEATH TRAP. THE DIESEL HAD MANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY REPROGRAMED IT. SINCE NEW THE TRUCK HAS GONE INTO LIMP MODE 4 TIMES WHERE THE ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPG. LAST TIME I ALMOST GOT KILLED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. YOU'RE STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 5-10 MPH TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN CARS ARE FLYING PAST YOU AT 70 MPH. THESE 3.0L DODGE ECO DIESELS ARE VERY, VERY, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. AFTER THE REPROGRAMING FROM FCA THEY HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS TURBO LAG TIME. FCA HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE REPROGRAMING OF THE SOFTWARE MADE THEM WORSE AND MORE DANGEROUS. BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THIS ECO DIESEL, IT IS PRONE TO CATCH FIRE. ON MY TRUCK I HAD A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND A HOLE MELTED THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. LUCKILY, THE TRUCK DID NOT BURST INTO FLAMES BUT IT WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 3 WEEKS BEING REPAIRED. THIS TRUCK IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND IF FCA CAN'T FIX THEM, THEY NEED TO BUY THEM BACK AND GET THESE DEATH TRAPS OFF THE ROAD. SORRY, I CAN'T DESCRIBE JUST A SINGLE SPECIFIC INSTANCE, IT'S DANGEROUS EVERY TIME YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF FCA AND HAVE HIM TAKE MY TRUCK FOR A DRIVE WITH HIS FAMILY IN IT AND THEN GIVE HIS OPINION AS TO THE QUALITY OF THIS ENGINE. I DO NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK AS IT'S A DEATH TRAP.

NHTSA ODI 11279101

Oct 25, 2019EngineFire

ECODIESEL MODEL PICKUP WHILE TOWING OUR 4,000 LB TRAVEL TRAILER AT 50 MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY, 90 MILES INTO A CAMPING/FISHING TRIP, SUDDENLY DISPLAYED SYMBOL AND MESSAGE ALERTS ON THE DASH AND AT THE SAME TIME LOST ENGINE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP ENOUGH SPEED TO PULL ONTO A DIRT SIDE ROAD WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS, THEN COASTED TO A STOP. DURING THE LAST 20 YARDS, THE ENGINE DIED COMPLETELY SO I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AT FULL STOP THERE WAS A STRONG CHEMICAL SMELL IN THE CAB AND GREY SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR, GREY SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FLAMES WERE SHOOTING UP FROM BEHIND THE ENGINE, THE INSULATION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD WAS BURNING AND FLAKES OF BURNING INSULATION WERE FLOATING AROUND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER BEFORE THE ENTIRE TRUCK AND TRAILER AND THE SURROUNDING FOREST CAUGHT ON FIRE. JUST AS THE FLAMES DIED OUT, THE COOLANT RESERVOIR ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BURST AND BOILING COOLANT SPRAYED OUT CREATING A BUNCH OF STEAM AND MORE BAD CHEMICAL SMELL. I ARRANGED FOR THE TRUCK TO BE TOWED TO OUR HOMETOWN DEALER. TRUCK WAS STOCK AND DEALER MAINTAINED. I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER AND THEIR RAM INVESTIGATOR ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND HOW THIS MATTER WILL BE HANDLED.

NHTSA ODI 11271139

Sep 30, 2019EngineFuel systemFire

I BOUGHT MY TRUCK ON THE 25TH AT 6PM. AND AT 7P ON THE 26TH IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY AND BURNT RO THE GROUND WITH ME AND MY PREGNANT WIFE IN THE TRUCK. I HEARD TICKING COMING FROM THE MOTOR FOLLOWED BY A LOUD POP AND THEN LOST ALL POWER NO GAS RESPONSE AND COASTED TO BREAKDOWN LANE JUST BARLEY GOT MI WIFE OUT OF THE TRUCK AND THE TRUCK WAS FULLY ELGUFFED.

NHTSA ODI 11258925

Aug 23, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineFire

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK 22 AUGUST 2019, AN 8 MILE DRIVE. I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO REACH POSTED SPEED LIMIT AFTER TURNING OFF OF A SIDE STREET ONTO MAIN ROAD. I HAD NO FORWARD MOMENTUM WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES TO MANUALLY SHIFT GEARS THINKING IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP TO RPM BUT STILL BARELY ANY FORWARD MOMENTUM. I WAS LOSING SPEED QUICKLY. SOMETHING GRABBED MY ATTENTION, NOT SURE IF I HEARD SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY BUT I HAPPENED TO LOOK OUT MY REVIEW AND SIDE MIRRORS AND NOTICE A HUGE PLUME OF SMOKE EXITING MY VEHICLE. AT ABOUT THAT SAME MOMENT, I NOTICED A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF, I STILL NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FRONT WHEEL WELLS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT TO BE A COOLANT HOSE RUPTURE DUE TO THE COLOR OF THE SMOKE/STEAM. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD THINKING IT WAS A COOLANT ISSUE. RIGHT AWAY I NOTICED A FLAME AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. I HAD NO ACCESS TO WATER WHERE I WAS LOCATED AND MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO BLOW IT OUT. IT WORKED FOR ME BUT PROBABLY ONLY BECAUSE I HAD GOT TO THE FIRE BEFORE IT WAS ABLE TO SPREAD TOO QUICK. FIRE/RESCUE WAS DISPATCHED, REMOVED ENGINE COVER AND NOTICED SMOLDERING PLASTIC/WIRE HARNESS AND DOUSED WITH 4-5 CUPS OF WATER UNTIL ALL TRACES OF FIRE WERE GONE. TOW TRUCK DELIVERED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP APPROX 10 MILES FROM WHERE VEHICLE WAS DISABLED. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11246138

Aug 22, 2019Electrical systemEngineFire

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, LOST POWER, THROTTLE CONTROL ERROR COMES ON, TRUCK WENT INTO LIMP MODE, THERE ARE SMOKES OUT THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. TURN INTO GAS STATION AND ENGINE GOT CUT OFF. WHEN I POP THE HOOD, SAW FIRE FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. I POUR MY DRINKS WITH ICE, FEW WATER BOTTLES, AND MY FRIENDS DRINK. *DT *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11245932

Jan 3, 2019Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 M/H ENGINE START SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS ALERT OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AFTER I PULLOVER AND LIFT THE HOOD TO INSPECT THE SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI 11165685

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Ram 1500 Crew Cab verdict →