36 of the 2,094 complaints about the 2016 RAM 1500 are about the body and structure — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 37,436 miles.
36
Complaints
4
Crashes
3
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
i have 2016 ram 1500 p/u and tailgate has problem opening up and/or opening on its own. This problem ended up sending me to the hospital in an ambulance with a concussion, fractured pelvic bone and 4 broken ribs.
NHTSA complaint #11731831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The tailgate on my 2016 Dodge Ram will not stay locked and falls open during cold weather. I've contacted the dealer but they said this particular vin is not included in a recall. I've accessed the inside panel on the tailgate several times to clean and lubricate, but it only works for a short time. It's been a continuous problem for the last 5 to 6 years...only when it is cold.
NHTSA complaint #11703915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
RAM has an extended warranty out regarding the front strap for the fuel tank that is known to fail. When the strap failed, the fuel tank dropped causing a gouge in the drive shaft. In addition to the compromised drive shaft, the metal bracket was touching the ground. Should I have been driving during when this failed, the metal could have caused sparks causing the fuel tank to ignite. This problem should be moved from an extended warranty to a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11663771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, he heard the sound of the tailgate opening independently. When the contact stopped the vehicle, he observed that the tailgate was open and he was able to raise and secure the tailgate. The contact stated that later he was starting the vehicle and saw that the tailgate was again open, however, he was not able to secure the tailgate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that he would need to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic check. The contact asked if there was an open recall. The contact was advised by the dealer that NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V486000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages) had been completed on the vehicle by a previous owner and he was no longer covered by the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11635192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
the a pillar on the right side of the windshield is rusted and the trim falling off which could rollover safety and parts flying off and possibly striking other vehicles on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11622863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear sliding window leaks . Water fill up over the track inside and drain can't keep up with volume of water and make my truck wet inside . Notes bulid mold and rust .
NHTSA complaint #11580374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FUEL LEVEL SENSER NOT READING , WENT ON VACATION FUEL WASNT READING AN I JUST FILLED IT UP . TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AN THEY SAID ITS WORKING NOW , AFTER WE WENT ON THE WAY BACK IT STARTED DOING IT MORE AN MORE . AN PLUS THE TAILGATE OPENS ON IT OWN ALL THE TIME
NHTSA complaint #11571834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V486000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages) on the vehicle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and then arriving to the destination, the contact became aware that the tailgate had opened unexpectedly. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, which caused items in the trunk to fall out onto the road. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V486000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,500.
NHTSA complaint #11554887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front fuel tank strap broke. This is a known issue for Dodge ram trucks. It is the same issue that happened on the 2009 through 2012 Dodge ram recalls. My truck is a 2016 Dodge ram. Has been mostly in Virginia and Ohio over the last 8 years. The strap broke through the chassis due to rust and corrosion. This is a known issue with a lot of Dodge Ram trucks and is something the NHTSA should look into and force the dealerships to issue a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11542997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
The contact owns a 2016 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear tailgate opened unintendedly. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was stationary. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V347000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The failure mileage was 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #11506606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I was driving home when a trailer went by and a nut flew off the trailer and damaged my bumper and fog light. When I went to trade in my truck the dealer pulled a Carfax and said my truck was in a collision.Tey lowballed me on a trade .They offered me $25k for my truck when it is worth $40 K,the low balled me beacuse of carfax,which the report was not true.
NHTSA complaint #11452562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The tailgate of the truck does not remain shut. It unlatches and opens while the vehicle is in motion causing potential road hazards to other drivers. Vehicle has been inspected by a local body shop repair but does not show any worn or out of place parts.
NHTSA complaint #11447997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2016 RAM 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, he noticed the water was leaking into the rear driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11445905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I DISCOVERED ON THE VEHICLE SEVERAL SMALL AREAS OF CHIPPED PAINT AND RUST IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD IS THE ORIGINAL AND NEVER CHANGED SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE PAINT DEFECTS ALONG THE WINDSHIELD SEAM AREA SO THAT WHEN THE RUST GOES THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WILL BECOME UNSTABLE AND POSE A POTENTIAL HAZARD OR COULD FAIL ALTOGETHER. I SPOKE WITH A RAM DEALER WHO WAS UNINTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED RAM COOPERATE HEADQUARTERS AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS.
NHTSA complaint #11407938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2016 DODGE RAM, REAR WINDOW BEGAN LEAKING DURING A HEAVY RAIN. WATER BEGAN RUNNING IN FROM THE TOP, PASSENGER SIDE OF TEAR WINDOW WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. MY SON IN LAW HAS A 2015 RAM. HIS REAR WINDOW HAD THE SAME PROB. WARRANTY FIXED IT. CHECKED INTERNET. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11386315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY TAILGATE HAS OPENED BY ITSELF 4 TIMES RECENTLY. I CHECK EVERY TIME I CLOSE IT TO ENSURE THAT IT'S CLOSED AND LOCKED PROPERLY. EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND IT'S FALLEN OPEN. THIS LAST TIME, I WAS HAULING A TRAILER AND IT OPEN BY ITSELF, GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TAILGATE LANDED ON THE TRAILER TONGUE JACK AND DAMAGED MY TAILGATE.
NHTSA complaint #11376210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I NOW HAVE 4 INCH CRACK IN FLOOR MIDWAY THROUGH VAN
NHTSA complaint #11349102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I AM A SAFETY ENGINEER. THE INTERIOR LATCH FUNCTION IS A SAFETY CRITICAL MEANS OF EMERGENCY EGRESS AKIN TO CRASH BARS ON BUILDINGS; NO WAY SHOULD IT FAIL IN A VEHICLE THIS RECENTLY BUILT AND OF SUCH LOW MILEAGE. RAM INFORMED ME IT WAS A NON-WARRANTY ITEM WHICH IN ITSELF SURPRISING. THE REPAIR BILL IS $521, WHICH IN SOME CASES WILL BE EXPENSIVE ENOUGH THAT SOME WILL FORGO GETTING IT FIXED, IMPERILING THEMSELVES SHOULD THEY NEED TO QUICKLY EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN THE EVEN OF A FIRE OR SUBMERSION, FOR EXAMPLE. I ASKED THEM FOR INFORMATION ON HOW FREQUENTLY THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF FAILURE PARTICULAR LATCH MECHANISM AND THEY WERE MOST DEFINITELY NOT FORTHCOMING. I ASKED THEM TO ELEVATE MY CASE TO SOMEONE MORE SENIOR, GIVEN CRITICAL THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. THEY REFUSED. SO, I GUESS THE BALL IS IN NHTSA'S COURT. SOMEONE SHOULD DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO FCA AND INQUIRE ABOUT THE FAILURE RATE OF THIS PARTICULAR MECHANISM.
NHTSA complaint #11330776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11326069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
LAST MONTH (DECEMBER 2019) ON A COLD DAY, I TRIED TO PUT DOWN THE DRIVER'S WINDOW IN 2016 RAM 1500. HOWEVER, THE WINDOW WAS FROZEN IN PLACE DUE TO AN OVERNIGHT SNOWSTORM. THE WINDOW DIDN'T MOVE AND I RELEASED THE BUTTON. THEN, WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, THE WINDOW WENT HALF WAY DOWN ON ITS OWN. I FOUND IT THIS WAY WHEN I RETURNED TO THE TRUCK. IT WENT UP WITH THE BUTTON AND I BEGAN MY TRIP HOME. DURING THIS TRIP HOME, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE BUTTON, THE WINDOW FELL COMPLETELY INTO DOOR. APPARENTLY THE WINDOW HAD COME APART FROM THE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING IT TO THE UP/DOWN MECHANISM. TODAY, JANUARY 9, 2020, ANOTHER COLD DAY, MY WIFE PRESSED THE BUTTON TO NUDGE THE PASSENGER WINDOW UP (IT WAS OPEN JUST A TAD) AND INSTEAD OF GOING UP, THE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE HALF WAY POSITION. WE GOT IT UP WITH THE BUTTON AND IT'S NOW TAPED IN PLACE UNTIL THE GARAGE CAN GET TO IT. THIS WINDOW TOO APPEARS TO HAVE COME OFF THE LITTLE PLASTIC CLIPS HOLDING IT PLACE TODAY, I ALSO GOOGLE'D THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE DISCOVERED IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM ON 2016 RAM TRUCKS WITH PAGES OF POSTS IN MULTIPLE FORUMS BEGINNING IN 2017 OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WHEN ITS COLD. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SEVERAL WEB ARTICLES DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL OF THE POSTS INDICATE THAT FCA HAS HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SEVERAL REASONS. FIRST, ITS NOT PARTICULARLY SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO BE DRIVING AROUND IN STORMS AND FREEZING WEATHER WITH WINDOWS THAT JUST DROP INTO THE DOOR AND WON'T COME BACK UP. SECOND, ITS NOT PARTICULARLY SAFE TO HAVE THE WINDOW IN YOUR VEHICLE OPEN ON ITS OWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THIRD, TAPING THE WINDOWS IN PLACE (EVEN TEMPORARILY) COULD HURT EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #11298202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY TAILGATE IS LOOSE AND THE LATCH GOT REPLACED FROM A RECALL BUT IT RATTLES GOING OVER RUG AREAS!
NHTSA complaint #11289325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 complaint #11281945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CLIPS KEEP BREAKING WHENEVER TEMPERATURE GOES BELIE FREEZING. 3 TIMES TO DEALER TO REPAIR. DEALER STATES ITS A COMMON DESIGN DEFECT. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WINDOW FALLS INTO TRACK AND CANT BE OPERATED OR MINE HAS LODGED UP THEN UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED. IVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO OPEN WINDOW IN COLD WEATHER THATS UNSATISFACTORY. DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL AND CORRECT DESIGN ISSUE AND HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11152068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 RAM 1500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V486000 (STRUCTURE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) THE DEALER (CARBONE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM, 5017 COMMERCIAL DR, YORKVILLE, NY 13495, 1-315-736-3371) SCHEDULED THE REPAIR TWO WEEKS AGO. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SENT AN ONLINE INQUIRY TO THE MANUFACTURER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE, BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11140642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5 SOUTH AT APPROX. 65 MPH, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPED UP AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DECREASE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO VEER WEST OFF INTO THE DIRT SHOULDER STRIKING THE DIRT EMBANKMENT AND WOOD FENCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS FACE, ANKLE AND PAIN IN CHEST. *BF *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED BEFORE INFORMATION FROM THE COMPUTER WAS RECEIVED. THE DRIVER BECAME DISABLED AND COULD NO LONGER WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11128730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TRUNK DOOR LATELY, IS OPENING CONSTANTLY EITHER WHEN DRIVING OR IN A STOP
NHTSA complaint #11118271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DROPPING BOAT IN WATER ON SLIGHT GRADE RAMP. PUT CAR IN PARK AND SHUT DOWN. AS I DROPPED BOAT FROM THE TRAILER THE TRUCK ROLLED DOWN THE RAMP IMMERSING 3/4 OF THE BODY IN THE SALT WATER. NO ONE WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL. THIS PRODUCT HAS HAD ISSUES WITH ROLLAWAYS
NHTSA complaint #11115646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TAILGATE RANDOMLY OPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS 15 MPH AND ACTIVATES THE DOOR LOCKS ALONG WITH THE TAILGATE LOCK. CONTENTS SPILL OUT OF THE BED AND INTO TRAFFIC. I CANT FIND A SAFETY BULLETIN BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 15 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS APPROX 18 MONTHS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 30K MILES ON IT. EXAMPLE OF THE ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UHA6WUVQTHG
NHTSA complaint #11110327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE WAS POINTED DOWNHILL ON A CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED WHICH WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 1200 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK, THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE ENGINE OFF. A WHEEL CHOCK WAS PLACED IN FRONT (DOWNHILL SIDE) OF THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNDISTRIBUTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MINUTES WHEN IT BEGAN TO ROLL DOWNHILL ON ITS OWN. IT CAME TO REST IN A DITCH.
NHTSA complaint #11096907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TAILGATE COMES OPEN SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING. THE TAILGATE DID NOT HAVE ANY CARGO AGAINST IT. THE TAILGATE HAS CAME OPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS. LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON 5/18/2018.
NHTSA complaint #11096937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.