What 253 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 2500 Regular Cab

The grid heater bolt that is on the bottom side of the grid heater. It fails and the bolt falls off and get sucked into the engine destroying the piston and cylinder causing an over 10,000$ expense.

NHTSA ODI 11506481

This message is in regards to Static NHTSA Bulletin 09-005-22 / D- 22- 06 Dated March 16, 2022. The above listed warranty extension extends Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel Model year 2015 to 150,000 miles or 15 years if code U010C is indicated on MIL. My truck meets all above criteria but is a model year 2016. However, there is no changes in mechanicals between the 2015 and 2016 model year. My truck, at 114,000 miles just indicated this issue and the estimated cost of repairs is over 2,000 dollars. Considering that this has already been a widespread notable issue with this truck and engine, my hopes is to include 2016 model years in this extension. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11505949

When vehicles comes to a stop or a slow roll. It makes a loud humming sound and cuts off in drive. The lights starts flickering ans The check engine flashes on at that time. Received a ecm code.I have to place in park and restart. Happens 70% of the time in drive and other times in reverse or park. Cruise control would not turn on. If on will not turn off with buttons

NHTSA ODI 11505608

Truck started shaking like a tire was out of round. Right front tire had separation (several large bubbles on the inside of the tire). I replaced that tire with a spare of a different brand. About 2 weeks later the left rear tire had the same issue. These tires are less than 1 year old and have less then 15,000 miles. I do not trust these tires any more and replaced them at significant cost.

NHTSA ODI 11497118

In March of 2022 my ABS/Traction Control light illuminated and returned a code of "Internal Electrical Failure". I have had this evaluated by two different dealers with two different pieces being blamed. One is the ABS Contril Module and the other is the Hydraulic Control Unit. I have replaced both multiple times without any remedy. The dealer stating that is was the ABS Control Module told me multiple times that they cannot even order the part to fix it. This means I cannot get a state inspection sticker on my primary mode of transportation as well as not having working ABS brakes, traction control, and cruise control. This is a concern with my family being safe as well as when towing my 5th wheel rv. There is an open investigation for 2017-2018 but my truck is a 2016 with the same issue. There are multiple people on forums with Rams other than the 2017-18 trucks with this same exact problem. A lot of us are using vehicles that are not able to be inspected with safety equipment not functioning correctly.

NHTSA ODI 11497168

In 2020, Dodge repaired a recall by welding the steering linkage nut to the drag link. This recall (V06) prohibits me to have the vehicle aligned by a tire repair/replacement shop. Additionally, the ability to align the vehicle relies on the dealer to break the weld, replace the nut and re-weld the part. This repetitive process in turn causes metal fatigue to the drive link, presenting another MAJOR safety concern. If the drive link were to fail, I would lose steering control and crash without warning. I have contacted Dodge directly and requested they replace the drive link on my vehicle to remedy this problem, however, they have refused. The cost to replace the drive link and re-align the vehicle (required after part replacement) is approximately $1,100. Much less money than would be paid out for a catastrophic fatality(ies) resulting from the failure of this part.

NHTSA ODI 11493947

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline and the contact felt the vehicle losing power. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, and no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact placed a rubber line on the fuel line because he noticed the fuel line was rubbing against the frame of the vehicle causing the fuel line to wear. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11488811

My 2016 RAM has very loose steering and has almost caused me an accident several times due to my lack of control of the steering. The steering stabilizer jam nuts have been welded to the adjuster sleeve (as the referenced recalls below suggest as a fix) but the entire assembly rotates freely by hand! I am constantly having to get alignments to help control my steering, however, it seems to be getting worse and I am having to do alignments more often. Now, recall numbers 19V021000 and 18E096000 both refer to this problem for select RAM 2500s however, for some reason my VIN is not connected to this recall although it is obvious that it has been implemented on my truck. I bought my truck in 2018 used from a dealership. All the recalls that were indicated on my truck at the time were implemented, but so was the welding of the jam nuts even though my VIN doesn't reflect this recall action. I have an appointment with my Chrysler dealership this Thursday, but they told me that there probably wasn't much that they could do without the recall being attached to my VIN. This is currently my only vehicle and I am cautious and scared every time I drive it now since there is no warning as to when the steering loosens up and the truck seems to drive diagonally vice straight. I would greatly appreciate some help in this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11485554

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact stated that while slowing down for traffic or traffic signals at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle would stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The failure became constant and the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same local dealer several times for the same failure. The dealer had diagnosed the failure and determined that the vehicle needed to have the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) bypassed to a new TIPM relay. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V530000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11476216

Broke suspension on a pothole. After repair, Alignment shop would not align vehicle because Ram welded the Drag Link as part of their V06 recall so that it was no longer adjustable. Being that this is my primary vehicle, I had to purchase a new drag link so that my steering could be readjusted as well as have my tires wear properly. I asked Ram for Refund on this repair , but they responded that in order to get a refund, I would have had to be towed to a Ram dealership on my own dime, then wait for an official Ram part to come in which would cost me hundreds of dollars in rental cars and tow bills for an adjustable part that they welded to make non adjustable.

NHTSA ODI 11475058

Previous FCA campaign #U30 of solonoid pack for transmission 68rfe has been completed in 2018 and in June of 2022 a transmission service technician stated the one from the recall was faulty and needed replaced. Upon replacement with OEM solonoid pack the truck went into limp mode and was locked into 4th gear. Vehicle is undrivable and at the dealer. After further inspection the solonoid issue caused the clutch pack to shed debris into the bottom on the transmission pan which just had a new gasket, filters and fluid less than 20 miles ago. Transmission tech stated the debris was no there and saw no evidence of failure to the clutch pack prior to the replacement of the solonoid. Now transmission has to be rebuilt at owned expense. Vehicle has 72,000 miles and is not used for towing or aggressive driving.

NHTSA ODI 11474197

I was driving my truck on the freeway pulling a loaded stock trailer. The truck suddenly down shifted into fourth gear and the engine RPM’s maxed out! I almost crashed the truck because the momentum of the trailer pushed the truck sideways on the freeway. I had to avoid traffic and get to the shoulder. Truck would not shift out of fourth gear and truck shifted into 4WD low also on its own. Had truck towed to dealers ship and was told a shift solenoid went out. Because of that they now have to change the torque converter and replace the transmission from the damaged it caused. It is unknown if it damaged any of the engine components at this time or any other parts of the drivetrain. Now I’m stuck paying for a transmission because Dodge didn’t put a safety backup into their system to prevent this in case of a failure. I see that I am not the first person it’s happened to by reading the power train comments for this year truck.

NHTSA ODI 11466065

A known issue is occurring across many vehicles where the ABS Braking system becomes non-working and illuminates the ABS - Service Electrical Braking System light along with disengaging the vehicle traction control. The part that needs to be replaced is on national backorder with no ETA of availability. In turn, this issue is causing my West Virginia State Vehicle Inspection to remain invalid as I cannot get a proper inspection due to the warning light. In addition, with the ABS not working, I am fearful of using my vehicle to transport my family, especially my toddler. This issue needs to be addressed by Chrysler Corp, but there have been no recalls nor even a TSB released referring to this issue. A quick search of Ram/Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler Forums shows that this is a very widespread issue affecting many vehicles. This presents a major safety issue, especially since it is considered an important safety feature preventing my vehicle from being inspected. This issue needs addressed ASAP by the company and repaired promptly.

NHTSA ODI 11459812

The contact owns a 2016 Ram 2500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and running, she opened the front driver's side door and stepped on the running board with her body between the front driver's side door and the vehicle frame. The vehicle lunged forward independently, turned to the left and crashed into the front end of the passenger's side of the unoccupied vehicle parked next to it. The contact became trapped between the two vehicles and pinned between the driver's side door and the frame of her vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was squeezing continuously as if it had shifted into drive. The contact attempted to honk the horn by extending the keys on her left arm but was unsuccessful and started screaming for help. Two individuals arrived at the scene but could not unlock the door and were unable to break the front passenger's side window to unlock the door in order to extract the contact. The contact squeezed her body and reached out the unlock button on the driver's side door, and she unlocked the door. One of the individual got inside the vehicle, shifted into reverse and reversed slowly in order to release and extract the contact. The vehicle was parked. The contact was then extracted but was knocked unconscious. The contact was airlifted to the hospital where she was informed that she had sustained six broken ribs, damaged clavicle required surgery, damaged lungs due to squeezing, squeezed organs to one side of her abdomen, bruises on both glutes and bruised hips. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the local collision center. The collision center informed the contact that the driver's side frame of the vehicle she was squeezed against was dented, which showed the severity of the squeezing. The local Chrysler dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11456603

I was involved in a single vehicle accident due to a medical issue. I hit a utility pole, took out a cyclone fence, proceeded across a front yard of a home then almost directly into a block retaining wall. I was wearing my seat belt. My airbags did not deploy but I have no idea how fast I was going. From the damage to the pole and the wall and my truck I had to be going a decent speed. The police report noted that when they arrived my foot was on the accelerator and the back wheels were spinning for what that’s worth.

NHTSA ODI 11456414

Fuel gauge not accurate, reporting half a tank when the tank is full. Fuel gauge not working appropriately. Truck has 47,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11456287

There has been an open recall on this vehicle since August 2021. It was reported to be by the dealership this is at that this was due to have a remedy to fix the SABIC in the 4th Quarter of 2021. IT has yet to have a remedy pushed out. I was also told that the Y55 recall is grouped together with the Y63 Recall. I agreed with the dealership in October of 2021 that I would purchase this vehicle, and they told me the recall remedy would be out the following month. I have been patiently waiting with no resolution from RAM, MOPAR or Chrysler. I have contacted the dealership several times a week, and they keep telling my that MOPAR has been contact by them and they are not returning phone calls. This can not be sold until it is fixed, due to a Stop Sale Issued with the Recall Notice.

NHTSA ODI 11454222

It seems that this is a common problem on these trucks the HCU for the antilock braking system and the ABS module has to be replaced the traction control light comes on the ABS light comes on and the cruise control does not work.

NHTSA ODI 11452853

My truck will shift in to gear without the key being in or the truck being on. I found a recall (T79) listed but my vin does not seem to be listed under this recall.

NHTSA ODI 11448915

The tailgate still falls open unexpectedly while driving after the tailgate recall repair was done.. The tailgate fell open and hit my camper power jack and dented the tailgate above the handle.. I'd like the tailgate latch to be fixed correctly and the dent fixed as well.. im afraid to haul anything in the back that could potentially fall or slide out due to this issue..

NHTSA ODI 11443970

Engine running rough. I drive daily on the freeway and pull a trailer, it is not safe to drive on a busy freeway or any road ( I am a self-employed contractor who now has to rent a truck). Both I took to an independent service center and authorized Crysler Dealer. Check engine light came on November 30th. P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance PERMANENT. It was starting on and off. The truck was purchased from Holz Dealership in 2019 and financed for $35,967.63. Nothing was disclosed about engine issues.

NHTSA ODI 11442914

My transmission got so hot climing up a hill it caught the excused on fire, thankfully had water in the truck an put the fire out no warnings nothing, just flush transmission hot went to stop an realized it was on fire, had to have transmission rebuilt an cooler lines an cooler repaired, still not runing right.

NHTSA ODI 11438257

Engine Fan / Radiator Shroud. During hot weather and engine temperature, the engine fan engaged. Due to the high ambient, I believe the radiator shroud was hot and the material was soft, it became deformed under the vacuum created by the fan cause it to interfere with the engine fans path of rotation. The interference caused the fan and shroud to shred each other sending shrapnel in all directions, including into the back side of the radiator, engine compartment. Plastic debris was found on top of the valve cover, battery, radiator, exhaust manifold. This problem has been reported by numerus online forms. This failure was inspected by the dealer and I was informed it was not under warranty, but drivable and safe. Their recommendation however was to replace the fan, shroud and radiator. However, they have seen cases with far worse damage causing catastrophic failure of the radiator leaving the vehicle stranded

NHTSA ODI 11437306

For the longest (approximately two years now), my backup camera would "go out" sometimes when I engage reverse, or it would show squiggly lines to where I can't use it. This happens quite often - especially when I need it. The truck is available for inspection upon request and I also have videos of the issue. For a truck of the height, I'm not able to see objects, animals or people when backing up from a stop. I took it too a dealer near me and they inspected the system and found nothing wrong. But the same problem persist. There are no warning lamps or lights when this happens. Pictures are attached for reference.

NHTSA ODI 11435231

The contact owns a 2016 RAM 2500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the RPM gauge revved to the red line; the contact released the accelerator pedal and the vehicle jerked, then the transmission shifted inadvertently to fourth gear and would not allow the contact to shift gear to drive. The vehicle was hauling a trailer at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with the torque converter control being out of range. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11435044