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Reliability report · 2016 Ram 1500 · Updated July 2026 · ~$3,100/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

A cheap, capable 4th-gen Hemi truck whose real risks — a failing ABS module and power-steering loss — are out-of-warranty and worth checking hard.

The 2016 Ram 1500 is the fourth-generation (DS) truck: the 5.7L Hemi and 8-speed are proven, prices are low, and parts are everywhere. What lifts it to Squawking is the pattern in the recent complaint file — the single loudest item is ABS control-module failure (owners cite part 68295384), which disables anti-lock brakes, cruise, and traction control at once, and the replacement has been on nationwide backorder for the better part of a year. Several owners mention a manufacturer extended-warranty on the module; the terms aren't confirmed here, so treat coverage as something to verify, not assume.

Underneath that, electric power steering can fail (recall 16V167 covered part of this generation, but out-of-recall failures show up too), and the 5.7 Hemi's cam-and-lifter tick is a cross-generation risk. None of these are cheap surprises you want to inherit unknowingly. A 2016 that has had the ABS module and any steering recall sorted, and that cold-starts without a valvetrain tick, is a genuinely good-value truck — the work is in confirming that before you buy.

Evidence: 1,497 NHTSA complaints · 17 recall campaigns · 3 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Squawking

What that means: 1,497 federal complaints, and the recent file is dominated by ABS control-module failure (parts backordered for months) and electric-power-steering loss. None of it is walk-away money, but all of it is expensive and avoidable with the right pre-purchase checks. Buy on inspection, not on faith.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

1,497

Federal complaints

17

Recalls (all populations)

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2016 Ram 1500 Crew PU/CC 2WD (NHTSA VehicleId 10151)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

ABS control-module failure

major

The dominant recent complaint. The anti-lock brake control module fails and takes ABS, cruise control, and traction control down with it, throwing a cluster of dashboard warnings; owners repeatedly call it a 'known problem' and report the replacement module (part 68295384 / 6829538AC) on nationwide backorder for 9–12 months with no ETA. Some owners reference a manufacturer extended warranty on the module, but the coverage terms are not confirmed in the federal files — verify them before counting on a free fix. Scan for ABS/ESC codes and confirm all four systems work on a test drive.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 16V167, 17V821, 25V010; diesel recalls)

Electric power-steering lossmajor

Sudden or intermittent loss of power-steering assist is a recurring theme across the 2016–2019 trucks. Recall 16V167 covered a 2015–2016 EPS circuit-board short, but the complaint file also carries out-of-recall failures where owners are told the steering gear isn't covered. Losing assist at low speed makes the truck very hard to turn. Confirm recall 16V167 was completed by VIN and that steering effort is normal and consistent on the test drive.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Ram 1500 · NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 16V167, 17V821, 25V010; diesel recalls)

5.7L Hemi cam-and-lifter tickmajor

  • 5.7L Hemi V8

The Hemi's signature engine risk, shared across generations: a hydraulic roller lifter and the cam lobe it rides on wear and start to fail, producing a tick and eventually a constant misfire on that cylinder. Independent mechanics put a cam-and-lifter job at a minimum of about $4,500, and note shops often recommend full engine replacement once metal is found in the oil (Chrysler's own guidance is to pull the oil-control-valve solenoid, check its screen, and replace the engine if there's significant debris). Cold-start and listen for a persistent tick; a truck that ticks at idle after warm-up is a walk-away or a hard negotiation.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Ram; 5.7 Hemi cam/lifter deep-dives)

~$4,500

Cam + lifter repair (mechanic-quoted minimum)

higher

Engine replacement (often recommended)

BTSI shifter and TIPM electrical gremlinsmoderate

Two known fourth-generation quirks. The brake-transmission-shift-interlock (BTSI) pin can stick, letting the column shifter move out of park without the brake — covered by recall 17V821, so confirm it's done. And the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), the truck's main fuse/relay box, can cause odd electrical behavior (stalling, power windows, door locks) when it fails, usually requiring module replacement. Neither is universal, but both are worth a functional check of the shifter interlock and the electrical accessories.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2016 Ram 1500 · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Ram; 5.7 Hemi cam/lifter deep-dives)

EcoDiesel (3.0L) engine recalls — diesel buyers onlymoderate

  • 3.0L EcoDiesel V6

If the truck has the optional 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, three separate recalls apply: EGR-cooler cracking that can cause an intake fire (19V757), a crankshaft tone-wheel that can delaminate and stall the engine (20V475, expanded by 23V411, with a matching X94 warranty extension), and a high-pressure fuel pump that can fail and starve the engine (22V406). All are free fixes. On a diesel 2016, confirm each has been completed by VIN; on a gas Hemi, none of these apply.

Sources: NHTSA recall database and manufacturer communications (recalls 16V167, 17V821, 25V010; diesel recalls)

The ABS module quit — no anti-lock brakes, no cruise, no traction control. The part is on nationwide backorder with no ETA.
3 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Ram dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 16V167Electric power-steering control board can short and cause loss of steering assist (2015–2016); EPS unit replaced free.open
  2. 16V301Front halfshafts on a short build window may fracture (2016); both front halfshafts replaced free.open
  3. 15V661Improperly heat-treated rear axle shaft may fracture (2015–2016); axle inspected/replaced free.open
  4. 17V821BTSI pin can stick and allow the column shifter to leave park without the brake (2009–2017); software/BTSI fixed free.open
  5. 17V302Occupant-restraint controller roll-rate fault can disable side-curtain airbags and pretensioners (2013–2016); ORC software updated free.open
  6. 18V332A wiring short could prevent cruise control from disengaging (2014–2019); PCM software flashed free.open
  7. 25V010Side-curtain airbag inflators may rupture (2016–2019); one or both airbags replaced free (owner letters mailed Feb 2025).open
  8. 19V757 / 22V406Diesel-only: EGR cooler cracking (fire) and high-pressure-fuel-pump failure (stall) on 3.0L EcoDiesel; parts replaced free.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2016 1500

Four sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway) for the RWD, 3.6L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 36544 (1500 2WD).
Other builds EPA lists: 4WD, 3.6L 19 MPG · 4WD, 5.7L (midgrade fuel) 15 MPG · RWD, 5.7L (midgrade fuel) 16 MPG · Diesel 4WD, 3.0L turbo 22 MPG.

$3,100/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Crash losses

Collision losses run about average here. Neither a red flag nor a discount at the insurer.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI collision losses, 2014–16 models, published December 2016 (report R-16). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 4WD.
Other series: Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 99 · Ram 1500 crew cab LWB 4WD 95 · Ram 1500 ext. cab 4WD 88 · Ram 1500 ext. cab 98 · Ram 1500 SWB 87 · Ram 1500 crew cab LWB 99 · Ram 1500 SWB 4WD 111 · Ram 1500 LWB 60 · Ram 1500 LWB 4WD 47, where 100 = average.

93 vs 100

7% below average

Theft

Stolen at about the average rate.

Source: HLDI — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2016–18 models, published May 2019 (report WT-18). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 4WD.
Other series: Ram 1500 ext. cab 4WD 117 · Ram 1500 crew cab SWB 231 · Ram 1500 ext. cab 182 · Ram 1500 crew cab LWB 4WD 89 · Ram 1500 SWB 229, where 100 = average.

107 vs 100

7% above average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Cam + lifter repair (mechanic-quoted minimum)~$4,500
Engine replacement (often recommended)higher
Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

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Before you buy

Print this
  1. 01Scan for ABS/ESC codes and confirm anti-lock brakes, cruise, and traction control all work — the ABS module (part 68295384) is the loudest failure and can be backordered for months.
  2. 02Confirm the EPS recall 16V167 is closed by VIN and that steering effort is normal and consistent on the drive.
  3. 03Cold-start and listen for a Hemi valvetrain tick; a persistent tick after warm-up points to a cam/lifter job (~$4,500+) or engine.
  4. 04Verify the BTSI (17V821), airbag (17V302, 25V010), and axle (16V301, 15V661) recalls are completed by VIN.
  5. 05Check the column-shifter interlock and exercise the electrical accessories (a TIPM tell).
  6. 06If it's a 3.0L EcoDiesel, confirm the EGR-cooler, tone-wheel, and HPFP recalls (19V757, 20V475/23V411, 22V406) are all done.

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