2016 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 278owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- $1,800median quote
- 10involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
278 of the 1,544 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 1500.
Narrower sheets: ABS light on (239 reports) · Brake warning light stays on (108 reports)
Tick what matches of 278 reports
Brake wear 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: 2024, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (240 reports), the pads and rotors (6 reports) and the caliper (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
14 of the 278 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,100 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 76 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 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.
CALIPER ASSEMBLY Disc Brake, Front For an issue with drift ONLY when braking, please replace the complete front caliper assemblies including adapters and pads as a unit, unbolting them from the knuckle. Also replace both front rotors, labeling right (RT) and left (LT).
Brake Pedal Sensor For vehicles with DTC's P0572 or C0042, or complaints of brake lights staying on or cruise control not setting, please use wiTech to check the Brake Pedal Home Position setting and actual pedal resting position under brake pedal status in ...
Brake Pedal Sensor For DS, WD & WK bodies ONLY; Prior to replacing the brake sensor; Please call Salma Al Ryahi at cell (519) 992-7293.
Incorrectly Installed Rear Brake Caliper This bulletin involves inspecting both rear brake caliper hoses for being kinked or rubbing.
1 more on the 2016 Ram 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Around 80k miles the ABS module went bad giving a C-2200-49 code and displaying the traction control light, abs light and red brake light illuminated. A new module is estimated at 6 months wait time, mine was ordered in September 2025 and just arrived in April 2026, my vehicle could not pass state inspection until the issue was fixed.”
Filed Apr 6, 2026 · 80,000 miles
“At 90,000 miles ABS, traction control and brake light came on, mechanic said itâs a defective ABS module, and that there are none available anywhere, itâs under engineering review. This is a known issue, and now a recall for 2017 and above, my Ram is a 2016, same part. This poses a safety risk as the brakes can lock up, causing an accident. Itâs going on 2 years with still no modules available”
Filed Oct 30, 2025 · 90,000 miles
“Vehicle lights on dash show âservice electronic braking systemâ, brake light is on along with traction control light and abs light. Truck has 57k miles on it. Independent service used a code reader to determine abs module is bad. Dealer shows part on continual engineering hold. Due to the fault, no abs and no cruise control. This presents a serious safety concern for me and my family.”
Filed Aug 5, 2024 · 57,000 miles
“The ABS and traction control lights come on and off intermittently. When on the cruise control also doesn't work. No traction control or Automatic braking control. Seems to be a common problem with RAM 4x4 trucks.”
Filed Sep 21, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 10 of 278 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
- 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
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 26 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 25 reports