2016 Ram 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 29owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
351 of the 1,544 complaints on this car are about the engine. 29 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Overheating 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: 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All 17 recalls on the 2016 Ram 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 130,524 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 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.
Suspected engine coolant leak.
Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
Radiator Before replacing the radiator call Matt Mihm at FCA Auburn Hills cell: (248) 736- 6542 to answer a few questions. If no response in 15 minutes, please proceed with repair.
3 more on the 2016 Ram 1500 page.
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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
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
- 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