2016 Ram 2500: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2016 Ram 2500: CAUTION — 260 owner complaints, 1.2× the 2500 median year by raw count; top issue: powertrain / transmission (64 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.48, where 1.00 is a typical 2500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. Severity drives it: 73% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
260
NHTSA complaints
1.2×
vs. median 2500 year
457
Service bulletins
14
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2016 Ram 2500 problems
Powertrain / transmission leads a spread-out record, named in 25% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2016 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 64 | 25% |
| Engine | 54 | 21% |
| Steering | 43 | 17% |
| Electrical system | 38 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 35 | 13% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2016 Ram 2500 recalls
14 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016, reported between Sep 23, 2015 and Jan 16, 2025.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V010000 | Jan 16, 2025 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator |
| 21V632000 | Aug 12, 2021 | Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator |
| 19V347000 | May 9, 2019 | Latches, locks & linkages › Tailgate › Latch |
| 19V021000 | Jan 25, 2019 | Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection |
| 18E096000 | Oct 16, 2018 | Steering › Linkages |
| 18V486000 | Jul 27, 2018 | Structure › Body › Tailgate |
| 18V332000 | May 17, 2018 | Electrical system › Wiring |
| 17V824000 | Dec 21, 2017 | Equipment |
| 17V821000 | Dec 20, 2017 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift |
| 17V562000 | Sep 12, 2017 | Engine & cooling › Engine › Diesel |
| 17V499000 | Aug 10, 2017 | Wheels |
| 17V302000 | May 9, 2017 | Air bags |
+2 more campaigns on the NHTSA record.
2016 Ram 2500 service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 457 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2016 — close to the 440 of the median 2500 year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (109), powertrain / transmission (67), engine & cooling (58). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2016 vs. the year before and after
From the 2015 to the 2016, owner complaints rose 21% (215 → 260) — a step backward. The 2017 that followed jumped 2.7× (260 → 699), so the 2016 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 2500 | SOLID | 215 | 513 | 15 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | CAUTION | 260 | 457 | 14 | — |
| 2017 2500 | AVOID | 699 | 379 | 12 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Ram 2500 years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2016 Ram 2500
Powertrain / transmission (64 complaints on the 2016): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Engine (54 complaints on the 2016): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Steering (43 complaints on the 2016): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Electrical system (38 complaints on the 2016): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Service brakes (35 complaints on the 2016): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 14 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby 2500 years with a better rating: 2015.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Ram 2500 — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
- DealDrive AI negotiator reads any dealer quote and writes your counteroffer
- Comparable real deals near you, from verified transactions
Found a 2016 Ram 2500 for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
The CarWhere Used Car Report checks salvage records, salvage-auction listings, stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail, and full market history for one VIN — $16.99, one time.
FAQ
Is the 2016 Ram 2500 reliable?
2016 Ram 2500: CAUTION — 260 owner complaints, 1.2× the 2500 median year by raw count; top issue: powertrain / transmission (64 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.48, where 1.00 is a typical 2500 year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2016 Ram 2500 problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2016 Ram 2500 are powertrain / transmission (64, 25%), engine (54, 21%), steering (43, 17%). The manufacturer has 457 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2016 Ram 2500 have?
14 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Ram 2500, most recently 25V010000 (Jan 16, 2025, air bags); 21V632000 (Aug 12, 2021, air bags); 19V347000 (May 9, 2019, latches, locks & linkages). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2016 Ram 2500 before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2016 Ram 2500 come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.