2016 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails
- 26owner reports
- 42,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
26 of the 1,544 complaints on this car describe A/C failure.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
A/C failure on other 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Most A/C complaints start the same way: the fan still blows, but the air coming out of the vents is warm or only a little cool. Some owners get cold air that fades after a while, and others hear a noise from the compressor before it quits. It's rarely a safety problem on its own, which is also why it seldom gets a recall.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the compressor (13 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on this problem covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,800 and 52,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 10 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ram 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Air Suspension Inoperative And Or Compressor Freeze Up Or Sticking In Cold Weather.
CONDENSER, Air Conditioning CONDITION 1: If it is determined that the A/C compressor does not engage due to a refrigerant leak at the receiver/drier plug on the A/C condenser, order the receiver/drier plug kit P/N 68447796A$ and follow the repair instructions ...
Air Suspension Components Star Parts Catalog has been updated to show individual service parts for the compressor assembly. This will allow service technicians to repair the root cause without over repairing the system.
CONDENSER, Air Conditioning If it is determined that the A/C compressor does not engage due to a refrigerant leak at the receiver/drier plug on the A/C condenser, order the receiver/drier plug kit P/N 68447796A$ and follow the repair instructions included on ...
6 more on the 2016 Ram 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“ABS unit failed. This renders the Traction control system, ABS braking, cruise control, and 4WD system inert. I tried to repair/replace the unit it is on indefinite backorder, and repair shops cannot get the parts to fix the actual unit. Makes vehicle dangerous to drive in all but fair conditions. No solution has been provided by RAM.”
Filed Jan 28, 2026
“2016 RAM 1500 Air Suspension, I have seen many report of a faulty LEFT REARAIR BAGS dropping to the ground making unsafe to drive. I have seen many people repotting the Left Rear bag issues and when taking to the manufacture they refuse to troubleshooting and locate the issue but wants to replace the entire rear bags and compressor for more than $3000”
Filed Oct 26, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 278 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 235 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 138 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 97 reports
- Diesel fuel system or injector problems 80 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 68 reports
- Fuel pump failure 50 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 48 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 44 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 37 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Vehicle fire 35 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 31 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 29 reports
- Delay or no response when I press the gas 27 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 25 reports