2016 Ram 5500: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern wheels; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We have sent this in for recall repairs and Dodge either did not have the parts or said it would be weeks before they got the parts and we, as a company have had three dodge ram 5500's in the last week that have broken all the wheel studs off, snapped a single stud, or the the lug nuts have gotten loose even after torquing them to the newly recommended 129ft/lbs. We have 30 plus of these trucks and we are worried that if dodge does not get this fixed that there will be an injury.”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2023
“The high pressure booster hose interior liner came apart and jammed into the brake booster pressure port. This caused loss of power steering and loss of power brakes. This is an ambulance, we have multiple of this same year and model. It was in motion on a city street and resulted in a near miss. Through an internet search and calling the dodge dealership and speaking to the mechanic, this is a common issue across multiple model years. Https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/4th-gen-ram-non-drivetrain-2010-up-202/steering-locks-up-brake-application-315220/”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2021
“Our transfer case failed (blow apart) causing a fire . We had the truck towed to our dealer and for the last three weeks dodge has not allowed the repair to proceed or provided us with contact information or a path forward. We have no truck or plan for it to be fixed. The truck was being driven on a highway at about 50 mph when the transfer case failed.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
Show 6 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake an vibrate. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v495000 (power train). The failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2019
“All funtions of steering column failed. Found unpowered wire to 6steering column module. Traced wire to fusebox and found several corroded wires along with rubber coating falling off. Replaced bad wire ends and am now looking for a perminent fix.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 5500. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel bearing fractured and detached from the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to texan dodge chrysler jeep ram (18555 eastex fwy, humble, tx) where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 46,610.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2018
“While driving down the road, I felt a slight vibration and then a loud banging noise from underneat the truck. I lost power and had to pull over to the side of the road and then found parts of the transmission on the road and alot of fluid. The engine was smoking but did not catch fire”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ram 5500. While driving, the steering was not aligned and the frame was leaning towards the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic (les schwab tire center located at 903 s burlington blvd burlington, washington 360-757 0038) where it was diagnosed that the axle was out of specification. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,500.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2017
“Truck starts swaying from side to side at highway speeds (62-72mph) steering is non-responsive when trying to correct the sway and then steering will catch immediately and the swaying gets worse. Have to slow to 40 mph to regain cntrol of the vehicle. Very dangerous when others around you are driving 65-76 mph. Happens when vehicle is in motion on the highway between 60-75 mph. This vehicle had 2 miles on it when purchased. All tires had the recommended air pressure in them. Problem is intermittant. This has happened multiple times.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2013-2017 RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, equipped with Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engines that have Concentric-brand water pumps without a vent hole. These water pumps may leak coolant.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pumps, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T51.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis and 4500/5500 Cab Chassis trucks manufactured July 31, 2015, to August 13, 2015 and equipped with a 6.7L Cummins Diesel engine. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may short circuit, causing the engine to stall without warning.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECM, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R52.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2012-2021 RAM 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. Incorrect information in the Service and Owner's Manuals may cause the flanged lug nuts to be over-tightened, which could result in a broken wheel stud and possible wheel separation.
Remedy: Dealers will update the torque specification in the owner's manual and other published service documents. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle's wheel studs, replacing them if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y36 owner notification letters were mailed on November 30, 2021. Campaign Y26 owner notification letters were mailed on December 1, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US's numbers for this recall are Y26 and Y36.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ram 3500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through January 7, 2016, and 2016 Ram 4500/5500 trucks manufactured July 24, 2015, through October 8, 2015. The transfer case may have been manufactured with a misshapen main output shaft, creating voids that may cause a shaft fracture.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer case, free of charge. The recall began on August 11, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S48.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
How other years compare
Check your exact 5500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ram 5500 reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Ram 5500. The most complained-about area is wheels.
Does the 2016 Ram 5500 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.