Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Ram 2500
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Ram 2500 has 14 NHTSA recall campaigns and 259 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V010000 Side Curtain Air Bag Inflators May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V632000 Side Curtain Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V347000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V021000 Steering Linkage May Separate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18E096000 Incorrectly Machined Steering Knuckle may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V486000 Tailgate May Open Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V332000 Cruise Control cannot be Cancelled NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V824000 Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V821000 Vehicle May Rollaway NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V562000 Water Pump Leak may cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V499000 Wheels may Fracture Causing Rapid Air Loss NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V302000 Side Curtain Air Bags may not Deploy in a Rollover NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16E041000 Seat Cover Affects Air Bag Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V592000 Defective Engine Control Module may Cause Stall NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 64 complaints
- Engine 53 complaints
- Steering 43 complaints
- Electrical System 38 complaints
- Service Brakes 34 complaints
- Unknown or Other 33 complaints
Of the 259 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 259 complaints, owners report 10 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Ram 2500 exhibits an average reliability profile. Common issues include powertrain, steering, and electrical complaints, largely reflected in associated recalls. Airbag and tailgate recalls are notable, but these are not uniquely damaging to reliability. Costs can vary, with potential steering problems adding unexpected expenses.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 50,000–90,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | common |
| Steering linkages | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| Electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$1,500 | common |
| Service brakes | 60,000–90,000 miles | $250–$850 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Transmission fluid check
- Coolant system flush
- Battery inspection
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine stalling
- Steering wheel play
- Unresponsive brakes
- Electrical malfunctions
- Sudden loss of power
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Ram 2500 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.