Reliable Auto DB

2016 Ram 5500 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 5500 over 11 years — 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 5500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Lug nuts, Wiring, and Equipment.

2013 Ram 5500
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

17

Per year

2

Recalls

7

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 17), then Wheels (6) and Steering (3). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 5500 has 13 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2017 has 21 complaints, 2 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Ram 5500. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (7)

Recall wheels, lug nuts 2021-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 21V398000
Summary 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.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2018-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 18V332000
Summary 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.
Recall Equipment 2017-12-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V824000
Summary 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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shifter 2017-12-20 · NHTSA campaign 17V821000
Summary 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.
Recall engine and cooling, engine, diesel 2017-09-12 · NHTSA campaign 17V562000
Summary 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.
Recall powertrain, transfer case 2016-07-01 · NHTSA campaign 16V495000
Summary 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.
Recall Engine 2015-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 15V592000
Summary 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.

Complaints by component (17 total)

Powertrain
6
Wheels
6
Steering
3
Suspension
3
Electrical system
2
Engine
1
Service brakes
1
Structure
1
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120151201732018320192202112022420231202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on several occasions, the vehicle lost power and unintendedly decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-15
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-07-02
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while his driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake violently when all four tires detached from the…"
    Wheels · filed 2023-09-28
  • "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…"
    Wheels, Unknown or other · filed 2023-08-29
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Ram 5500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH the driver's side rear outer wheel suddenly detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that all ten lug…"
    Wheels · filed 2023-06-14

Specs and fitment

4th generation chassis cab, 2013–present
Body styles Chassis cab
Oil 0W-40 (6.4L gas common; diesel may use different viscosity and capacity)
Tire size LT225/70R19.5, LT225/80R17.5, LT245/70R19.5 (trim/chassis dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-277 covers certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks: the primary and secondary brake hoses between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly. Dealers inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Ram 5500 Next year 2017 Ram 5500 See every Ram 5500 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Ram 5500 reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Ram 5500 over 11 years — 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 5500 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 7 recalls on file, including Lug nuts, Wiring, and Equipment.

What are common problems with a 2016 Ram 5500?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 17), then Wheels (6) and Steering (3). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Ram 5500 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 5500 has 13 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2017 has 21 complaints, 2 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Ram 5500 been recalled?

The 2016 Ram 5500 has 7 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Ram 5500?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2016 Ram 5500 with NHTSA.

What oil does a Ram 5500 take?

0W-40 is common for the 6.4L gas engine; diesel may use a different viscosity and capacity. Confirm the owner’s manual for your powertrain.

What does recall 18V-277 cover on the Ram 5500?

Certain 2018 RAM 4500 and 5500 cab chassis trucks: primary and secondary brake hoses between the master cylinder and hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured incorrectly. Dealers inspect and replace them if necessary.

Which generation of Ram 5500 does this site cover?

Fourth-generation cab chassis from model year 2013 onward.