Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Ram 1500
The 2016 Ram 1500 shows significant recall activity and owner complaints, suggesting potential reliability issues. Key areas of concern include the engine, steering, and power train components. With 17 recall campaigns and over 1,500 complaints, inspection should focus on these aspects to ensure a dependable purchase. Given the limited recall data, exercise extra caution and verify all documents before proceeding.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Ram 1500 has 17 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,557 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 6 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V010000 Side Curtain Air Bag Inflators May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V411000 Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V406000 High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V632000 Side Curtain Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V475000 Crank Position Sensor Tone Wheel may Delaminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V757000 EGR Cooler May Crack and Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V347000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V486000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V332000 Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V821000 Vehicle May Rollaway NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V302000 Side Curtain Air Bags may not Deploy in a Rollover NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V198000 Differential Pin Retaining Screw may Loosen NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V301000 Front Halfshafts May Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16E041000 Seat Cover Affects Air Bag Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V167000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V663000 Spare Tire Heat Shield Missing NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V661000 Incorrectly Heat Treated Rear Axle Shaft NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 314 complaints
- Engine 291 complaints
- Service Brakes 247 complaints
- Power Train 203 complaints
- Electrical System 193 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 191 complaints
Of the 1,557 complaints on file, 92 report a crash and 36 a fire; across all 1,557 complaints, owners report 73 injuries and 5 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Engine stalls
How to check: Check for smooth idle and no warning lights.
Electric power steering loss
How to check: Ensure steering assistance is active and consistent.
Service brake issues
How to check: Examine for responsiveness and lack of noise.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure engine starts smoothly and check for warning lights.
Red flag: Engine fails to start or misfires.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for unusual noises or vibrations.
Red flag: Rattling or persistent vibrations.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Steering should be smooth and responsive.
Red flag: Steering is stiff or unresponsive.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Listen for engine noise and check acceleration.
Red flag: Sluggish acceleration or strange engine noise.
- 05
Braking
What to check: Brakes should be firm and noise-free.
Red flag: Spongy brakes or loud noises.
- 06
Returning to idle
What to check: Ensure idle is stable without stalling.
Red flag: Idle fluctuates or engine stalls.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the vehicle had any engine repairs?
- Have any recalls been addressed?
- Are there any steering issues reported?
- Has the vehicle been in any accidents?
- Are all service records available?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Complete service history
- Proof of recall work
- Vehicle history report
- Title and registration
- Warranty information
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Ram 1500 at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2016 Ram 1500? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.