2016 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 29owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
351 of the 1,534 complaints on this car are about the engine. 29 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the coolant hose or reservoir (6 reports) and the radiator (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Ram 1500 and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 13, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-2002. FCA US's number for this recall is W58.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and, as necessary, replace the intake manifold. The recall began April 16, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VB1.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 130,524 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“On September 29, 2025, my vehicle overheated. Smoke was coming from the interior vents as well as from under the hood. I pulled over shortly after and had my vehicle towed to a repair shop. I got an estimate for radiator repair. That did not fix the issue, so more repair was needed related to a heating and evaporator core. I have attached the invoices for those repairs. I just wanted to note this for my records.”
Filed Feb 11, 2026 · 130,524 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 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.
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 275 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 233 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 66 reports
- Fuel pump failure 50 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 47 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 44 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Vehicle fire 35 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 31 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 25 reports
- Fuel smells, leaks, or the gauge reads wrong 25 reports